THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1902. THE GOVERNMENT VALUATIONS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 210, 31 May 1902, Page 2

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1902. THE GOVERNMENT VALUATIONS.

When writing of the new valuation of Wuimale Borough a few weeks ago wc culled attention to the evident lack of appreciation of local conditions displayed by the Government valuer. We then suggested the local v.uthoiities in this district should join in the demand fur restricting to local bodies llie power to moke their own valuations fur the purposws of local taxation. The large number oi objections lodged is an indication of the dissatisfaction, felt and the large nuinnei’ allowed

to lapse, we War, is an indication that many objectors considered itwould he futile to attempt to

follow up and support their objections. The stock contention of the v liners was that because a man's neighbours had not objected the valuation could not be excessive. The .lodge, Major Keddeli, admitted that that was nothing to go by, for in many cases where tqe amount involved was small it was cheaper for a man to submit to the extra rates than to succeed in bis efforts to obtain what he considered justice. At the sitting of the Couit on Thursday last it was proved that the valuation was erratic, (o say the least of it. Many evident errors weae pointed out, but notice was taken of nothing but the statement of the valuer that it was all right. It was difficult to got away from the uncomfortable I feejing that the whole thing was a farce, and that no proof could be given that would satisfy the Court that any valuations could possibly be wrong. When it shown, for instance, that a property which requires a considerable expenditure to keep it in, good order could only produce a possible (not an actual) gross 7 per cent on the money originally invested, one of the assessors ventured the opinion that the investment was a good one. We shall| be greatly surprised and disappointed if the last has been heard of the subject.