ASSESSMENT OF RATES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2525, 8 February 1877, Page 2

ASSESSMENT OF RATES.

(To the Editor of the'Erehing Star.)

Sib,—The new Act now iu force is first rate for putting the "screw on" to ratepayers, they being virtually debarred from appeal. Ratepayers are assessed at , annual value ; in many cases- the valuation is extreme ; in some ridiculously so, but it will have to be paid, as the trouble, time, and costs entailed will preclude the - majority from attempting . any protest against either errors in the returns or wrong valuati of the property. To do so, the unfortunate man whose namo is down on the list has to lodge a written protest in terms of the Act with the secretary of the Borough or the Highway Boards, as the case may be, and also' a duplicate addressed to the Assessment Court, which will sit to hear evidence and give judgment. The ratepayer must attend with his witnesses ana arguments, defend his case against witnesses for the Borough or Boards,, aided by counsel, and run the risk of being mulcted in costs. This process is too great a luxury to be indulged in by men earning their daily bread, but would be a good opportunity for some philanthropist to take up, and show the hardship imposed l>y the .working of the .present Act, as well, as the ability of the wiseacres who allowed .. it to become law.—l am, &c, -' Victim. fC , . February Bth, 1877, ■ " ; .