Valuation Roll—A Protest.

Patea Mail, 8 March 1882, Page 3

Valuation Roll—A Protest.

A short hut lively discussion anent the Valuation Roll arose at the Borough Council meeting. The committee appointed to revise the Roll reported that they had instructed the Clerk to make certain objections to valuations when the Roll came before the Revision Court. These objections were nearly 400. Councillor Milroy said : I think if I had been here I should have gone about this in a different manner. I don’t think the Act allows a local body to sit in judgment over their fellow residents, I think the proper course would have been to appoint a second valuer, and place his judgment against that of the other valuer. There is no body of men can sit at this table, with a plan of the town before them, and say when an increase should be put on any property. They must go over the ground and see it. Mayor : I am now moving the adoption of the Committee’s report. I cannot help regretting very much that we had not Councillor Milroy’s assistance, because he has raised legal aspects of the case without quoting anything to back up his statement. The Council have simply acted in strict accordance with the provisions of the Act, which says the local body may make objections to the Valuation Roll; and they have based their objections upon all the circumstances. Until Councillor Milroy can point out where we are not acting properly according to the Act, I must say we were acting rightly, and that there is no power to appoint a second valuer within the time. The Roll must go to the Court. Councillor Milroy’s remarks are somewhat uncalled for, because it has been somewhat in the manner of a lecture to the Councillors that we have been acting in a very peculiar manner in the absence of Councillor Milroy. We had a scandalous production put before ns, and we felt called upon and did very hard work in revising that roll. We performed our duties in what we considered was a sensible and straightforward manner. Councillor Milroy: I wish to be allowed to point out Councillor Taplin: If Councillor Milroy wishes to press his objection, let him move an amendment. I don’t think ho should be granted scope to lecture the Council, No more was said. Motion for adoption of report w r as put and carried on the voices.

Councillor Milroy called for a division. All voted for the adoption except Councillor Milroy, who said emphatically “ No.”