Land Was Not So Cheap 30 Years Ago

Chronicle (Levin), 5 April 1948, Page 3

Land Was Not So Cheap 30 Years Ago

An article published on this page recently in connection with the price of land around Shannon 30 years ago has brought forward many comments. Qne . of the district's old identities, Mr. S. W. Carter, has forwarded an original plan of an'area of land which formed the estate of .the late Mr. G. N. Wood, and was'offered for sale by public auction in the 'Maoriland Theatre on Wednesday, August 17, 1918, at 2 p.m. The contents of the sub-division was 821 acres of "principally rich, flat, alluvial soil." It is interesting to compare the prices realised at this sale with those quoted in the former article, namely £5 10s to £13 per acre. In order that the properties can be recognised more easily, the name of the presenb occupier is given and not that of the original purehaser The following are some of the prices: A farm of 74 acres sltuated just over the Otaru Bridge at the top end oi Nathan Terrace, at present occupied by Mr. P. Cole, sold for £98 10s per acre.' Two sections of 19 acres each, situated over the Otaru Stream, on the main road'to Palmerston North, realised £120 per acre for the ohe nearer the town and £84 for the other. Thirty acres on the north side of the stream and behin'd the dairy factory sold at £73 per acre. Four farms extending from Mr." Cole's property to the Manawatu River, through which the Shannon.-Fox-ton Road now runs, averaged about £50 per acre. It is interesting to note that on the day of the sale this land was completely covered. by flood waters. On the other portion of the estate, extending from the raiiway line to the foothills and taking in the top portion of Newtown and along Pretoria Roa'd, sold as follows: The farm at present occupied by Mr. W. Easton sold at £64 TOs per acre. That occupied by Mr. F. Mardon, £45 per acre. A portion of the farm occupied by Mr. H. Aitchison at the top of Margaret Street, sold for £72 per -.acre, The property occupied by Mr. ,T. Walker realised £74 per acre and Mr, S. W. Carter's "Mooi Kop" £76 per acre. Judging by the above prices, Shannon could not have been brought so cheaply as was stated in the previous article.