AN INDIGNANT DEPARTMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8815, 17 May 1907, Page 2

AN INDIGNANT DEPARTMENT.

Per Press Association. Wellington, May 17. Tho Vainer-General gives a flat contradiction to tho charge made by Captain 801 l at the Farmers’ Union Conference “at Auckland as to tho alteration of Vainers’ figures after ' they were sent to tho Valuation Department at Whellington. The Valuer-General said that a valuer was an expert, and the Department consoiderod he was tho best judge as to tho value of laud in his own district. The Farmers’ Union is to he asked to furnish the Valuation Department with fuller information regarding Captain Bell’s charges. The Press Association report of the meeting said Captain 801 l made a very serious charge against the Government. He said lie had referred to the subject at a recent meeting, and at the conclusion a man, who acted as valuer, told him that all he had said was correct. This valuer stated that his figures had been altered in several instances after they were sent to Wellington. The valuations of improvements had been cut down to the extent of an average of 50 per cent, and tho sums added on to unimproved values. This man, who was a practical farmer, stated that he intended to resign Ixis position as a protest.