CLYDE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 420, 26 December 1874, Page 3

CLYDE.

(From a Correspondent.)

A case of some importance to municipalities was heard in the Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday, last, being the. appeal of Mr. Donald M'Pherson against the assessment made by the Clyde Corporation. Bos grounds of appeal were excessive valuation, and nonallowance for repairs, insurance Sec., on sections in block 23 . of the town pt Clyde ; and as regards his punt, he was not liable to be assessed on account of itß being situated on Crown lands, and that he was a Government servant, having to carry Government officials free. Mr. F. C. Wilson, Solicitor, appeared for the Corporation; Mr, M'Pherson conducted his own case, and said by the amendment ordinance of 1872, the assessment should be made on the actual rental of the deductions; a sufficiency for repairs, insurance, tea., and (hat he would be glad to let his property at an amount far below the value put on it by the assessor!. As to the punt, if any one was liable, he maintained it was the General or Provincial Governments. Mr. Wilson in reply said that by the Corporations Ordinance the occupier was the person primarily liable, and that even although the punt was on Crown Lands, it was still liable to be assessed. The appellant, he contended, was in the same position as a tenant of tie Crown, and therefore the assessment was good, .and as there was no question raised as to amount, he held that it roust stand as in the assessment book. One of the assessors gave evidence as to the value of the property in block XXIII., and considered that it was a fair and reasonable assessment. Although it was higher than last year^e.conudered-that-pn^rjvhad_m* creased in value in Clyde during thepaTF year, and that it would still further increase during the coining year. The R.M. said they must not speculate on the future,,: and it would be well if the assessors took notice of the .amended ordinance, and made allowances in accordance therewith. He would reduce the assessment on the properties .in block XXIII. by £18 10s, and in the meantime would look to the law relating to the question raised' as to the liability of the punt being assessed, and therefore would postpone his decision on the matter till some future day. After all the hurly burly which has taken place in the matter of coal leases,; the fighting before the Waste Land Board mart no doubt have been fun to the onlookers, but what is one man's meat is another man's poisoa. So it has turned out in reference to the great coal lease, case which has been before the public for the past 15 months. Happily it has culminated, and reached its final stage. No doubt you will imagine that on the day of sale a' considerable state of excitement would be evident, and that our citizens would be frantically rushing to the survey office, anxious to obtain a portion of the Black Diamond country. But no ; a change has come over the spirit of the dream, and when the sale took place there was only the agent of Mr. Marie present, who purchased the lease at the- upset price. This must surely let the Waste Land Board and the public see that there hat been a lot of bunkum in the matter, and that a hard working man had been persecuted, and has had to defend his rights at great cost, thereby showing what may happen to a, man in New Zeeland, after being put to all the expense for which no redress can opigot. His persecutor* may laugh -in their sleeret and well say,3« Our fun hat cost him a ipretty perm," and so rest contented, ■'' '"-'-