8.—17b

124

APPENDIX VIII. Letter, from Secretary of Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. Dear Sir, — Hamilton, 22nd December, 1914. I have the honour, by instruction, to forward you copy of resolution passed at a special meeting 'of the members of the above Chamber held Mondays 21st December—viz., " That representations be made to the Valuation Commission that it report to the Government the urgent need for an amendment in the constitution of the Assessment Courts, so that objectors to valuations may have direct representation upon the Bench of the Assessment Court." Trusting that the subject will receive your consideration, I have, &c, J. A. Harris, Secretary. The Chairman, Valuation Commission, Valuation Department, Wellington.

APPENDIX IX. Covering Letter from the Town Clerk, Invercargill. Sir, — Town Hall, Invercargill, 18th December, 1914. 1 enclose telegram just received from the lessee, Invercargill municipal endowment in Block XXII, Invercargill Hundred, containing 1,087 acres. The telegram speaks for itself. Yours faithfully, The Chairman, Valuation Commission, Invercargill. A. Walker, Town Clerk.

Telegram from Twentymen Hodgson to Town Clerk, Invercargill. " Mr. Walker, Town Clerk, Invercargill. " Kindly see Land Commission to-day re rates on endowments being doubled. Not be back for a Week. Twentymen Hodgson." 18th December, 1914.

Report on above by Valuer-General. Twentymen Hodgson. The Secretary, Valuation of Land Commission, Wellington. Referring to your memorandum of the 18th instant, asking for a report for the Valuation of Land Commission on a protest by Mr. Twentymen Hodgson, of Invercargill, against the increased value assigned to a municipal reserve situated in Block XXli, Invercargill Hundred, containing 1,087f acres, I have to state that the value of the, land in question was raised from £1 to £3 per acre to bring it into uniformity with the value of surrounding land. Mr. Hodgson was notified of the increased value of the land, but he did not furnish an objection thereto. Mr. Hodgson, being the tenant of the land in question, is responsible for the payment of the full rates thereon. P. W. Flanagan, Valuer-General. Valuation Department, Wellington, 25th January, 1915. Decision of Commission. No action. 3/2/15.

Decision of Commission. No action. 3/2/15.

APPENDIX X. Letter from Mrs. Janet Hunter. Mrs. Janet Hunter, of Karamea, wrote to the Valuation of Land Commission on the 29th November, 1914, complaining— (a) That in respect of two small properties in Karamea of which she is the owner the rates thereon have been paid by her under protest owing to the alleged excessive valuation ; (b) that after having three valuations made by the same valuer, on the last occasion the values were reduced from £25 per acre to £15 per acre, a reduction of £10 per acre ; (c) that £15 per acre in her opinion, and also that of practical farmers, is three times its fair value ; (d) that there is no prospective value attaching to the property. No. on-valuation roll, 127 ; Sq. 152 ; Section (part) 5, Block XIII, 10 acres. No. on valuation roll, 74 ; Section 38, Block IX, 56 acres.