ASSESSMENT COURT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3866, 3 November 1928, Page 2

ASSESSMENT COURT.

A sitting of the Assessment Court was held in the local courthouse on Thursday, presided over by Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt (president). Also present were Messrs E. A. Campbell (Government Assessor), A. Fraser (local governing body assessor), Messrs D. P. Varcoe and N. H. Mackie appeared on behalf of the Valuation Department. Mr. M. B. Bergin represented the local objections. Valuations were sustained in thm. following cases: — C. H. Speirs, Shannon, owner sec. 101 Main St., area 49ft. 6in. x 165 ft., capital value £405, unimproved £330, improvements £75; same as owner of section 103 Main St., area 49ft. 6in. x 165 ft., capital value £445, unimproved £420, improvements £25; same as owner pt. lots 2C, 3,4, and 2D Man.-Kuk. lots 8/11 of 7/9 D.P., 3001 being lot 6 blk. VII Mt. Robinson S.D., area 32 acres 3 roods 4 perches, capital value £965, unimproved £BOO,- irnprovements £165 . Same as owner of lot H, similarly situated of an area 72 acres and 02 perches, capital value £3330, unimproved £2160, improvements £ll7O. Same as owner of lots 7/8, similarly situated, of an area of 39 acres 26 perches, capital value £1025, unimproved £975, improvements £SO. Same as owner of lots 5,9, 10, similarly situated, area 71 acres and 26 perches, capital value £1925, unimproved £1775, improvements £l5O. Richard A. Speirs, farmer, Koputaroa, owner of lot 5 D.P. 6290, being Aratangata Pt. No. 4 blk., and Parekauwau blk. Blk. X Mt. Robinson, area 129 acres 3 roods 35 perches, capital value £2150, unimproved £1950, improvements £2OO. Alfred Fowler, labourer, Foxton, owner of secs. 36 and 37 Avenue Ed., area 264 x 330, capital value £l7O, unimproved £l6O, improvements £lO. Same as owner of sections 7/9 Norbiton Rd., area 3 acres 2 roods 16 perches, capital value £535, unimproved £320, improvements £235. Stiles and Matheson, owner of pt. sec. 8, blk. VUI Awahou, Main and Hall Sts., area 90 x 302, capital value £1540, unimproved £ISOO, improvements £4O. Goldingham and Beckett as occupiers of No. 15119 and No. 16706 railway leases facing Wharf and Harbour Sts., and Main and Wharf Sts. respectively. The former of 2 roods 01 perches, and the latter 27 perches. No 15119 had a capital value of £1720, unimproved ’value £620 and £l*loo. No. 16706: capital value £9OO, unimproved £SOO and improvements £4OO. In connection with -C. H. Speirs application in reference to pt. lots 2C, 3,4, and 2D, Mr. Mackie asked if this was a straightout offer or bluff?

Mr. Bergin: It is a sincere offer. Mr. Mackie: Is Mr. Speirs prepared to offer these properties to-.-, anyone for cash? ill*. Bergin said he was not able to answer that question but asked Mr. Mackie if he had a buyer. Mr. Mackie: Yes, I can get the cash. In reference to the Goldingham and Beckett application the president pointed out that the firm could not offer the sections to the Government as they were leasehold and not freehold. The president asked Mr. Goldingham if he could prove that the sections were not worth the sums placed on them. Mr. Goldingham contended that they were not and said that a section facing Main Street, in front of the N.Z. Shipping Co.’s shed has been offered for sale at £2 per foot. This section was far more valuable than his firm’s was. The rates were too high on his section and it was impossible to make the business pay under such heavy taxation. Mr. Varcoe said there was no evidence of the section referred to having been sold at the price mentioned. Messrs Goldingham and Beckett’s section was the only one in the vicinity that had been revalued since the borough was done in 1916. Wjere the Department to undertake a revaluation of the whole borough it would be carried out ,on the amount fixed in this instance. If such a revaluation were carried out Messrs Goldingham and Beckett would find themselves in a much worse . position. The president: The Borough Council has to get its money somehow and if the valuation of .sections goes dwn then they will be compelled to strike - a higher rate. Mr. Varcoe: In this case I think it would be better to leave well alone. Mr. A. Fraser said a revaluation of the Foxton Borough was long overdue. There were too many applicants for revaluation getting away Avith it. Mr. Varcoe: Yes, that’s just it. Mr. Fraser contended that it was not a fair thing to the rest of the Borough,