DECEASED PERSONS ESTATES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2259, 3 August 1908, Page 2

DECEASED PERSONS ESTATES.

THE QUESTION OF VALUATION. AN lAIPORTANT STATEMENT. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, August 1. The Leader of the Opposition recently drew attention -to the fact that there is no appeal from the valuation put upon the estates, of deceased .persons by the Skimp -Department. He mentioned two oases that had come under his own notice in Auckland in which justice was done to the beneficaries. In consequence of this, iii one.case, a farmer was valued at £25 an acre. The Stamp Department irefused to accept the valuation, and sent their own valuer, who put up the_ valuation to 'between £36 and £37 per acre. The widow had to pay duty on that valuation, there being no appeal. Another case was that of a man who bought land -.at -under £3OOO. Ho died a comparatively short time afterwards, and the beneficaries of the estate were compelled to pay stamp duty on £9OOO. When the Estimates were under discussion in the House yesterday afternoon, Air ASissey reverted to the subject, and the Premier made a satisfactory reply. He- said the Government intended to introduce legislation this session making provision for the right of appeal in eases where the benefieanes were dissatisfied with the Valuation.

ESTATES CERTIFIED. [Press Association.] AV ELLINGTON, August 1. During last month the estates of 103 deceased persons in New Zealand were certified for stamp duty. The largest were those of John H. Vautier, Napier, £67,450; Hugh Craig, Otago, £18,441; Kenneth McKenzie, £l/jOOI ; Caroline Seymour, Gisborne £16,186; Thos. Pascoe Bryant, AA’ellington, £25,335; James' Osborne, Canterbury,£l3,9s9 ; , AVilliam Costello, Canterbury, £1049; Joseph Parkinson, Canterbury, £9701; John Nearing, Auckland, £9374. Other estates were: Georg© Dewes, Gisborne, £770; John A. Cameron, £670.