F G Shears to Mr. Tatsuro Suzuki, 20 November 1944

20th November, 1944.

Registration No. 10959

Re: South side River Road, Sunbury. Lot 4 of part of a 30 acre portion of Lot 131, Gp.2, Map 6284, D.N.W.

I am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant and have carefully read your comments in connection with the sale of your property.

The frank but courteous manner in which you present your complaint does not pass unnoticed and I can assure you that it has been the desire of this office to fulfil its obligations in as just and fair manner as possible.

The policy of liquidation was, as you are aware, decided upon by the Government authorities in Ottawa and in the case of all properties outside of the group of farms sold to the Director, the Veterans' Land Act, for use of returned soldiers, we have endeavoured to treat ever sale on its individual merits.

While we appreciate that the sale of any property is a matter of personal concern and in some cases may be contrary to the wishes of the owner, we do believe that we have taken every possible step to secure fair and adequate prices.

Your property fell within the group of over 700 parcels which were sold to the Veterans' Land Act. The same principle of disposal obtained in regard to those lands, except that in that case the valuations of this group of properties were made by a board of appraisers who were not directly appointed by this office, but whose ability and impartiality was considered by Ottawa to have been satisfactory. It was on the basis of these valuations that this office entered into negotiations with the Director, the Veterans' Land and your property was accordingly sold for $1,931.00.

The point of difference is that in your opinion this appraisal was not adequate or in line with your idea of its actual value. In this connection we note the statement you make in regard to a minimum value of the land being $100.00 per acre and also that your idea of the structural value of the house would be around $4,000.00 and that this value was evidenced somewhat by the insurance of $3,000.00 which you were carrying on the building.

The consideration of any definite claim is a matter beyond our control at the present time and we are unable to advise what the situation in this regard may be at the close of hostilities. Your letter, however, will remain on our file as an indication of your opinion in regard to this sale and in the event of the matter being re-opened at a later date and claims are being considered our records will be available.

I trust that in the meantime your confidence in the desire of this office to administer and carry out Government policy in the best interest of those concerned may be maintained.

With regard to the sale of chattels, these are usually disposed of by public auction and satisfactory prices are being obtained. I believe that some items have been shipped to you and the amounts so far realized from sales, after deducting the Auctioneer's expenses etc. are approximately $450.00 amd there are a few items still in storage so that as far as chattels are concerned the amount realized appears to be in line with your own idea of values.

In due course a complete statement will be sent to you.

F G Shears,