PART SECOND. 



ON THE QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY FOR COMPETENT 

 VALUATORS^ 



I. WHO SHOULD BE VALUATORS. 



Land Valuation being a work of great importance the 

 happiness and prosperity of millions depending on its 

 proper exercise it should, unquestionably, be confided 

 only to proper persons, professionally educated and 

 trained for the purpose. 



Agents, to whom the management of landed property 

 is intrusted, ought to understand valuation thoroughly ; 

 but it would be better that they should not value the lands 

 over which they are placed. 



They hold office, ordinarily, by virtue of a power of 

 attorney from their employers, and are bound, under a 

 heavy penalty, by bond, to perform their duties to the best 

 of their ability for the benefit of the proprietor. Many are 

 inclined to interpret this obligation by a reference solely 

 to that which would raise the landlord's income highest. 

 If a case arose, where a doubt existed as to a certain valu- 

 ation, whether it should be 20s. or 25s. per acre, on a farm 

 of 100 acres, the landlord not the tenant would, with 

 such persons, receive the benefit of the doubt; and the 

 tenant might be compelled to pay 25 per annum beyond 

 the actual value of his holding, without redress or alterna- 

 tive, except to remove and abandon a property on which 

 he might have expended much unredeemed capital. 



In case of such hardship, remonstrance is not sure to be 

 successful the voice of the aggrieved may never be heard. 

 The valuator is judge in his own cause ; and there are 

 many, who, for sake of their own consistency, and to pre- 

 vent similar annoyances, would adhere to their valuation, 

 even with a latent conviction of its error. 



