WAIMEA ASSESSMENTS.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 167, 27 May 1859, Page 2

WAIMEA ASSESSMENTS.

"-r ": ■": .' [Communicated.]' At a public meeting held at Mr. Palmer's, Waimea West, on Friday, flic 33fh, insfanf, Mr. Wootfon, on being called to the eluiir, said the object of the meeting was to consider the manner'in which the property in the district has been assessed for the roads. After some desultory conversation, the assessment roll was produced, in which it' was shewn that the various properties in the district were not assessed in proportion to their relative Value; and that, the same property'has, in more instances than one, been twice assessed, once to one individual, and then to another.' It was also stated to the meeting, that the assessor, instead of enquiring into the value of the property, "perched himself on the corner of the fence and looked over it." It was observed by some, that as there was to be an Appeal Court, those who felt themselves aggrieved, could appear there and state their grievances, when, no doubt, they would obtain justice. Others thought that such a court would be attenrled with considerable expense, both in time and money ; and to save which, before levying any rate, a more equitable valuation of the property should be made; and, in order to do justice, three persons instead of one ought to be appointed to make the valuation. After this desultory conversation, in which I do not pretend to. follow the different speakers, the following resolutions were put and unanimously carried :— Proposed by Mr. Bell, seconded by Mr. Newth —"Thaf, a memorial be drawn up and presented to the Wiiimea Roads Board, representing the injustice of the present assessment for the roads in the district." Proposed by Mr. Newtii, seconded by Mr. Ford—"That Messrs. Moore, Bell, and Wootton be appointed a committee to draw up the memorial ; and that it shall lie at Mr. Palmer's for a fortnight for signature." Proposed by Mr. Moore, seconded by Mr. Brll —" That a report of this meeting, and a copy of the memorial be sent to the Nelson papers." After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting separated. Copy of Mkiioiual. To the Chairman and members of the Wiimea Roads Board. The following memorial humbly sheweth— That we, the undersigned inhabitants of Waimea West, deep'y feel the injustice of the p-esent assessment of property for the roads in the district. We do not object to being assessed, us we well know that unless we. pay. taxes,in some .way or other, we cannot" have, what we much need, good roads; but yve do object to the manner in, which the present assessment has lieen made, as— 1. We find that the various properties have iiot been assessed in proportion to-their relative value'; and : 2. We.find in more instances'than one, that the same property lias, been assessed twice. JS'ow, we would ask, is there justice in this? We may be told that, those who had formerly given in the vii'uVof their property, and find themselves aggrieved, have, the right of appeal. But who is to pay the working man for the loss of time in attending an appeal court, when and whe^e the ■K:mds Board may think proper to fix it ? 'This appeal court must be attended insome way or other at considerable expanse; and to save which we would humbly request that you would cause, before levying any rate, a more equitable, valuation of the property to be made, and that the same property shall not be twice charged. Hoping that you will give this memorial your serious consideration, and, as in duty bound, your memorialists will ever pray.