MARSDEN.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1462, 10 April 1873, Page 3

MARSDEN.

|>ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] April 9. ; Yesterday the Waste Lands Board held a sitting in this important rising township, for the purpose of selling the unimproved sections, and allowing those who had erected buildings to become freeholders on paying the upset price at the rate of L 36 per acre. The Chief Commissioner (Mr FitzGerald), Mr C. Hoos, and Mr W. S. Smith constituted the Board, and were attended by Mr Patten, Receiver of Land Revenue, and the Clerk to the Board, Mr Driscoll. As soon as business was formally commenced, Inspector Hickson applied for three sections, 42, 43, and 44, to be reserved for a Police Camp, which was acceded to. Mr Lovell, who had a butcher's shop on section 42, had notice to remove it to another unimproved section, which he had the opportunity of choosingibefore they were put up for sale. This offer was not accepted. The sale of the unimproved sections then commenced, and the animated bidding that took place showed that considerable value was set on - Borne of them, which must have impressed the Board with the idea that they had made a splendid hit in coming to Marsden. No. 1 section was put up at Ll2 18s 6d, the upset price, and was bought by Mr James Hamilton for Lls. Section 9, upset price Ll7 10s, was ultimately knocked down for Lol to Mr James Hamilton. Section IG, upset price Lll 12s, was bought by Mr Barnhill for L 35. Section 17, upset price Lll 30s, was bought by Mr Barnhill for L 27. Section IS, upset price Lll 12s, was purchased by Mr James Hamilton for L 26 Section 19 was also purchased by Mr James Hamilton for L3O, as was section 20 for Lll 10s, the upset price being the same. At this stage a change came over all, for there was no further bidding made. Mr James Hamilton applied on behalf of the Presbyterian body that sections 45, 46, , 47, and 48 should be recommended for the erection of a church, and Mr Barnett applied for sections 69, 70, 71, and 72 to be reserved for the purpose of the erection of an Episcopalian Church. The various parties who had improved their sections by having buildings on them were then called on to purchase their various allotments, which amounted to upwards of L7O, irrespective of some sections whish did not transpire, so that it may be fairly estimated as being over LIOO from that ." source, and Id 96 for unimproved, gives a '. nice little round sum of about L3OO. The following persona purchased their sections at the upset price :— Mr Card, Mr Rob Thompson, Mr H. Fitzsimmons, Mr M. Kennedy, Mr Young, Miss Bell, Mr flansen; Mr W. Bell, Mr Boyd Thompson, Mr ED. Hewit, Messrs James Hamil- . tori and C!o. Mr Faulkner was u'uavoidW at the earlier part of the sale. \ '' Jts this ia the first attempt on the part of ifche Government to induce persons to Hettle, it may be asked what rule was adopted in coming to the conclusion that the upset price should be L 35 per acre-rland that would have been classed as rural but for the energy and enterprise : of a few individuals who have converted it into what it now is. Had those improvements been effected by any action of tiie Government, there might have been some reason in valuing the land at so high a figure. How much more beneficial it would have been to have given, in some cases .larger ; areas, and charged a more . moderate, price, particularly off the main , road. There is little doubt that the re- :• venue from it would have been quite as large as it was yesterday, and would have /been an inducement for others to have m^de purchases and settled down. The members of the Board left Marsden for Hokitik* about half-past three.