DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 136, 30 August 1927, Page 16

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

VIEWS ON VALUATIONS Mr. J. H. Blackwood, an owner of property in the Borough of Onehunga, drew attention to a slight “oversight” on the part of the council, when the proposed purchase of a 35ft. section of his land came before that authority last evening. The council had offered to purchase the land for use as a site for the proposed jubilee memorial women’s rest-room, at the price of £l5O. The letter received from the owner was to the effect that if that was the council’s opinion of the value of the section the ratable valuation placed upon it (much higher) should certainly be reduced. This somewhat “concrete” argument was received by the members in silence, but with significant smiles. The Mayor Mr. W. C. Coldicutt, remarked that the mention of a reduction of valuation had not been contemplated by the council. The offer had been made upon the presumption that it was reasonable, and it was also thought that, as Mr. Blackwood was such an old and esteemed resident of the borough, he might be so publicspirited, possibly, as to present the land as a gift to the borough. Thus they would have been enabled to couple the donor’s name with the good public object the council desired to attain as a lasting memorial. However, the council couild now proceed no further