COUNTY VALUATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1921, Page 6

COUNTY VALUATIONS.

PROTEST FROM HAWERA.

“AN UNFAIR POSITION.”

Arising out of a letter from the Hawera Hospital Board, an interesting discussion took place at Saturday’s meeting of the Hawera County Council regarding the valuation of the county. The chairman (Mr./ J. B. Murdoch) said the county representatives on the Hospital Board had all they could to equalise the levy amongst the contributing bodies, but they had been unsuccessful. This was the second year that the council was levied on the new valuation and they were one year ahead of Waimate West and two years ahead of Eltham County. The new valuation for tlib Eltham County did not show anything like as big a proportionate increase as that of the Hawera County. He was of the opinion that valuations were now on the down grade and that if a re-valuation was taken of the Hawera County now the value would be much less. He had prepared a petition to Parliament on the matter, and he would suggest that in order to back up their request a strong deputation should be sent to Wellington.

Cr. Dunlop: It would be throwing good money after bad. The chairman: Don’t you think we can succeed?

Cr. Dunlop,: I don’t. Cr. Hawken thought the market might change later op and that values would go up. The chairman replied that the objection was chiefly that the increase had been in greater proportion in the Hawera County. While the Hawera valuation had increased by 60 per cent, Waimate had only increased by 40 per cent, and Eltham by fl'6 per cent.

The clerk: The Waimate valuation was taken at the same time as ours.

The chairman: Yes, at the same time, but the valuers were different men. Cr. Washer: The land is of the same quality. Cr. Linn thought the council should appeal for another valuation. Cr. Hawkin pointed out that he was paying 50 per cent more in taxes to the Government than his neighbor, who was in the Patea County. Both had similar quality land.

Cr. Douglas said the council did not want to see the valuation of other counties increased, but they wanted their own valuation reduced, as it was far too high.

The chairman: I’m told the average increase was 67 per cent. It was decided to have the petition circulated for signature.