LAND BOARD AND VALUATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1919, Page 2

LAND BOARD AND VALUATIONS.

To the Editor. Sir,—l see, by your Issue of 22nd Inst., a discussion arose at the last meeting of the Taranakl Land Board on n letter in which a valuer stated that ho had heard assertions made by certain agents that on account of being friends of the Commissioner or members of the Board sales put In their hands had a good chance of being recommended. Anyone who knows the personnel of the Taranakl Land Board and the working of tho different Land Acts would not have made such an assertion In nine cases out of ten the Board does not know who the agent la that sends the properties infor transfer. They havo to be guided solely by tho valuation. If the vendor or buyer thinks the valuation Is too low, he generally asks, and gets, another independent valuation. By this,, both sides get a square deal Speaking personally, we sometimes think we are treated, harshly through getting applications turned down, but at the same time we know the Land Board and their officials have a w,m hilrd n to hol! ' wlth lar eo responsiDllltles, and they must consider the ingoing settler every time. With the great work of soldier settlement It is a marvel the work Is done so satisfactorily. The officer In New Plymouth is very much understaffed for the extra work, and if a private individual worked his staff under the conditions mat the New Plymouth land office is worked, he would be promptly fined for sweating' and worklne unde* Insanitary conditions. One thine if certain—there is no corruption, and never was as far as the Taranakl Land Board Is concerned.—l am, etc., Stratford, November 24, J I9^CI.T7GGAGB.