REVALUATIONS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 250, 16 August 1928, Page 1

REVALUATIONS.

IN MATAMATA COUNTY. Interesting Figures. The receipt of a letter from the Valuation Department with regard to a sitting of the Assessment Court at Morrinsville produced an interesting discussion at the last meeting of the Matamata County Council on #ie effect of revaluations within ' the county. Cr. Darby held that the council was entitled to more information than it received and - should know all about the various cases.' It seemed ridiculous that practically their first intimation should be the information they got when - valuations were reduced. Cr. Judd supported this view. The chairman held that the valuer would do all in his power to sustain his valuation. The clerk tabled a statement which showed that revaluations had resulted in the following reductions over a period of three years : Matamata riding, £10,500 to £6600 ; Peria, £17,500 to £7500 ; Tirau, £2150 to £I6OO ; Okoroire, £BSOO to £6680 ; Karapiro, £31,850 to £17,880 ; Maungatautari, £BOOO to £4OOO ; total, £78,550 to £44,260. The figures for the three years were given as follow : 1927-28, £50,200 to £25,690, reduction £24,510 ; 1926-27, £22,600 to £16,170, reduction £6430 ; 1925-26, £5750 to £2400, reduction £3350. The clerk pointed out that applications for. reductions were increasing and the position was somewhat serious. The chairman held that many were possibly justified. He understood that a Bill was being promoted which would prevent any applications being made for a period of three or five years after a valuation had been made. He knew of a case, a special rating area, where so many reductions had been made on account of deteriorated lands that those left had to bear a tremendous burden. On the whole he did not think a general revaluation was in the interests of the council.

Cr. Darby disagreed with this view, stating that a just valuation was essential no matter how it affected various contributions. Cr. Judd agreed, stating that it did not affect the burden of rates at all, as the comparative ratio was all that was altered. The burden remained the same. Cr. Darby again spoke, when the chairman interrupted and asked, “ Have you a resolution to move ? ” Cr. Darby : Yes, in view of the serious situation revealed by the clerk’s figures, that a report be made on the whole question. Cr. Dee seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.