Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1892. Interference with Valuations.

Manawatu Herald, 26 March 1892, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1892. Interference with Valuations.

For sometime past our Palmerston contemporaries have been publishing correspondence on the subject of the manner in which the new valuation is made. The error which the opponents of the system have made appears to be in blaming the Valuer. He { we think is powerless, as he firstly makes a declaration to perform his duties in a fair and impartial manner, and to the best of his skill and ability. In most instances he does so, and under other Governments he has been allowed the full control of his work. Can the present \aluers say they have ? This is were the Government succeeded in putting on the screw— by putting on "inspecting assessors" quite a new departure. What power these officers hold is known best to themselves but they have evidently the power of over-riding the assessor, so that there is no reason for these gentlemen to take offence at the

statements made that the Government are doing their best to secure the uttermost from land-owners and especially those not of a right "colour." The following fact, published by a Southern paper supports oar statements : — The manager of the Otekaike estate, Otago, on which a handsome residence has been built, has, the Otago Daily Times reports, received the following letter from the assessor under the Act :— " I have the honor to advise you that my notebooks have been examined by the inspecting assessor, and with reference to the value put down for the buildings, he considers the large house can only be regarded as a luxury and of no use in the working of the estate, and can in no way be considered an improvement I have, therefore to notify you, that the amount set down for buildings in my assessment has been reduced by (£6000) six thousand pounds. — Chas F. Roberts, assessor."