XN000022-1977-03-02 — Page 25

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1977

DECLARATION OF 1977-78 VALUATION LIST

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THE VALUATION LIST FOR 1977-78 WILL BE DECLARED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR. R.A. FRY, TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE LIST COVERS 28 AREAS OF HONG KONG HITHERTO SPEC IF IED FOR RATING, INCLUDING EIGHT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES NEWLY BROUGHT INTO RATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLICY OF EXTENDING RATING FURTHER IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE VALUATION LIST FOR 1977-78 IS THE LARGEST EVER, COMPRISING 287 VOLUMES CONTAINING SOME 450,000 ASSESSMENTS WITH A TOTAL RATEABLE VALUE OF ABOUT 39,150 MILLION.

FOLLOWING THE DECLARATION, THE LIST WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, MR. F. CRABB WHO, AS COLLECTOR OF RATES, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLECTION OF RATES AND FOR PAYING THE URBAN COUNCIL ITS RATE.

THE LIST WILL BE ON DISPLAY DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS FOR A PERIOD OF 21 DAYS COMMENCING ON SATURDAY (MARCH 5) AT THE OFFICE OF THE COLLECTOR OF RATES IN HANG CHONG BUILDING, 5 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL, 2ND FLOOR, ROOM 202.

COMMENTING ON THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT SAID THAT DURING THIS PERIOD OF 21 DAYS ANY PERSON WHO DISAGREES WITH AN ENTRY OR OMISSION OF A TENEMENT IN OR FROM A LIST, OR THE RATEABLE VALUE ASSESSED, MAY SERVE ON THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION A PROPOSAL TO ALTER THE LIST,

ANY SUCH PROPOSAL MUST BE IN THE SPECIFIED FORM (R20A). COPIES OF SUCH FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICES AT 1 GARDEN ROAD (TEL. 5-249021) AND NEW MERCURY HOUSE, 17TH FLOOR, 22 FENWICK STREET, HONG KONG (TEL. NO. 5-281424).

WHEN A PROPOSAL IS MADE TO ALTER AN ENTRY IN THE VALUATION LIST, THE COMMISSIONER WILL HAVE THE ASSESSMENT RE-EXAMINED BY A SENIOR PROFESSIONAL OFFICER, WHO WILL ALSO SIGN THE NOTICE OF DECISION. IF THE PERSON WHO MADE THE PROPOSAL IS NOT PREPARED TO ACCEPT THIS DECISION HE/SHE MAY LODGE AN APPEAL WITH THE LANDS TRIBUNAL.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PERSONS DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR ASSESSMENTS AND INTENDING TO LODGE A PROPOSAL ARE INVITED TO FIRST GET IN TOUCH WITH THE VALUER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA IN WHICH THE PREMISES ARE SITUATED, WHEN ASSISTANCE AND ADVICE WILL GLADLY BE GIVEN. GENERALLY

GENERALLY, ENQUIRIES IN THIS RESPECT SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO NEW MERCURY HOUSE BUT THOSE IN RESPECT OF PREMISES SITUATED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD BE MADE AT 1 GARDEN ROAD.

IT WAS EMPHASISED THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE LODGING OF A PROPOSAL OR AN APPEAL, RATES MUST BE PAID BY THE DUE DATE. IN THE CASE OF RATE DEMANDS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 1977 THIS MEANS THAT PAYMENT MUST BE YAI OY THE END OF APRIL- ANY SUCH PAYMENTS MADE AFTER THE END OF APRIL WILL DE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE. HOWEVER, IF THE RATEATLE

IS SUBSEQUENTLY REDUCED, AN

ADJUSTMENT WILL BE MADE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1, 1977.

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