View report page

12
was merely a different estimate of the value, or alteration in the
amount of rent; that with regard to the case Regina v. New
River Company, 4 L.R. Q.B. page 309, there was an actual increase
in the value of the hereditament assessed by additions to
it since the last valuation had been made, that if the reduction
of the rent of a hereditament during the quinquennial period
authorised a reduction in the Assessment, so an increase in the
rent must, in such case, authorise an increase in the Assessment,
and so the scheme of the act for a quinquennial re-assessment
would be mainly frustrated.
The Committee, however, conceive that such cases as those
comprised in the Clerkenwell Provisional List are cases of real
hardship, and they desire (if it be open to them,) to apply a
remedy: they are told that other Metropolitan Assessment
Committees deal with such cases as within ss 46 and 47, and that
if it be lawful for others. it is lawful for them to do so.
In the absence of authoritative decision they desire to have
your opinion on the questions raised.
The following remarks on the Case submitted are added [by
Mr. Paget,] with the view of eliciting from Counsel his view of
the intention of the Act of Parliament, and the authority of the
Assessment Committee, so that the rating authorities of the
Parish may be satisfied with the decisions of the Committee:—
"It must be distinctly understood that Clerkenwell
"dues not claim that the Act gives power to alter the
"Valuation List every time a mere capricious alteration of
"rent takes place, but cases do, and must occur occasionally,
"when the value of premises is so very materially affected
"by surrounding circumstances, that a corresponding
"alteration of the rent is forced to follow. A populous
"neighbourhood might be swept away from around a house
"of business which depended on it, rendering it valueless,
"or vice versa, during the term of the Valuation List, and it