ASSESSMENT COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 247, 27 March 1915, Page 8

ASSESSMENT COURT.

FIRST TRIENNIAL SITTING,

The first triennial sitting the of Assessment Court was held at the Court House yesterday morning before Mr. A. Crook, S.M. The only objector ivho put in an ftppearance was Mr. N. T. Maunder, who had lodged an objection to the annual valuation of £6B placed upon his property. section 332-4 and 358-60 "on Vivian Street.

The objector asked that the valuatioi be fixed at £SO; and subsequently a '£sso.

Mr. F. T. Bcllringer appeared for the Borough Council;

In the witness box. Mr. Maunder «ave evidence on his own behalf. He declared that his property was valued too higiily altogether. The view had recently b?on obstructed by the erection of a house on neighbouring property, and access was not good. In answer to" Mr. Bellrins»r he said that in 1913 his property was valued at £66. He then hadi very poor access, but since that time Vivian Street Tiad been metalled. He admitted that that had increased the value fro.n £66 to £OB, but considered that the valuation of .€66 in 1913 wks too high. He could not subdivide his property because of the lease, and also on account of the.difficulty of access by other means than the present. In answer to the Magistrate, he said lie lodged an objection in 1913, when the valuation was reduced from £B9 to £66, but that -vas •too high. Mr. W. F. Russell, district valuer, for Taranaki, said he valued the property. He assessed the capital value at £11)65, and the unimproved value at £S.M!; the lessor's l interest at £479, and the lessee's at £7l. The improvements he valued at £815; the house at £OOO, sheds at £4O, fencing £2O, excavation at £25, and paths, etc., at £IOO. Neighbouring properties were valued at considerably higher, he having taken into consideration the disadvantages on Mr. Maunder's property. The sites were some of the finest in New Plymouth. In his opinion, there was nothing to prevent Mr. Maunder's property being cut into two portions. In answer to Mr. Bellringer, witness said he was sure the property was worth £4O more to-day than in 1913. on account of the improved access. Mr. Maunder held the property on a 21 years' lease with perpetual right of renewal, and with full protection for improvements. ' Mr. Maunder complained that he v-ould not get rid of a portion of the section. The valuer pointed out that, eliminating the portion to which Mr. Maunder referred, the valuation was lower than on the neighbouring sections. The Magistrate said lie did not consider that the valuation was in any way excessive and should stand. In tlie ease of Mr. W. T. Morneth there was no appealmee of the objector and the case lapsed. *

SETTLED BY MUTUA* ARRANGEMENT.

The following objections were Settled by mutual agreement:— George Henry Bolous, section pt. 248, £32 reduced to £3O; Michael Jones, section 51-53 Whiteley, valuation £2l, withdrawn; Michael Jones, section 1024, £34 reduced to £3O; Prudence Skinner, section nt 649, £IBO reduced to £150; J. W. West, section 32-38 Mt. Eliot, £266 reduced to £234; Whiteley. Memorial Church Trint, section pt. 927-9, £7O reduced to £6O; C. H. Weston, section pt. 669, £55 reduced to £52; C. H. Weston, section i>t. 305 and 330, £l4 reduced to £l2; AV G. 'Emeny, section pt. 649 and 650, £2OB reduced to £206 (total £262 reduced to £260); George Hall, sections 21 find 22 Mt. Eliot, £240 reduced to £230; S. Percy Smith, section pt. 1734, £:»6 withdrawn; New Plymouth Tennis Clib, section 297, £2l reduced to £l9.