THE SHOREDITCH ASSESSMENT CASE. [To TER EDITOR 07 TILE "
SPECTATOR."] Sini—Very wide-reaching results are likely to follow the judgment in the Shoreditch assessment case. The Court of King's Bench has held that in the case of the Crown and Shuttle' public-house the increase of the License-day payable from £35 to £130 under last year's Budget has brought about a printel-facie reduction in the gross value of the premises, such as to necessitate putting the house on a provisional list for assessment purposes. This judgment was delivered in face of the contention of the Assessment Committee that no decrease in value had been proved, or had in fact taken place. The decision is of course based on the fact that " gross value" really depends on the market price obtainable in respect of premises, being simply referable to an estimate of the rental that an intending tenant would consent to pay to become possessed of the premises in question. An increase of License- duty means a decrease in profits, and the market value is obviously seriously affected by such considerations. It may be prophesied that the case will be followed by a large number of similar ones, and the loss to the rates in big centres of population may be ireagined. Perhaps the Government will see fit ere long to repent of the drastic treatment it has meted Out to the licensed trade.—I am, Sir, &c., R.
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