DISTRICT PROGRESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 430, 13 January 1912, Page 5

DISTRICT PROGRESS.

land and buildings. PROSPECTS FOR 1912. With a view of ascertaining to what extent property changed hands last year, as well as regards the progress of building operations, a Chronicle representative paid a visit to the offices of the various land agents, architects and bank managers. The general expression of opinion was that town sections had increased in value to a good extent, whilst in the country districts there was a keen demand for land. A noticeable feature was the large number of Canterbury and Wairarapa enquirers for farming sections. Messrs J. B. Young and Co. stated that they had turned over a large number of town properties and values had considerably increased during the year, but were steady and merited. Business sites were getting scarce, especially in the main streets, and. in fact, it was almost impossible to secure them as the prices were almost prohibitive. There was a big demand for farms, of all kinds of tenure. With regard to the freehold, Messrs Young and Co. were of the opinion that in cases where people were paying nominal rentals they would be very foolish to rush fur the freehold. They further stated they were of the opinion that there was no over speculation. During the last twelve months a large number of sections had been bought for cash, and these were being built on. A large number of young men had bought sections un the installment system with the idea of building. Large areas of bush had been felled in the various parts of the district, but owing to the trouble in securing bushmen a good amount of work had been left undone. The roads during the latter part of the year were far from satisfactory, and were without doubt very detrimental to the selling of farms. The firm anticipated a busy year during 1912.

Messrs McDonald and Cochrane stated that they had only been in business for about eight months of the past year, and that they had every reason to be satisfied. Their brjsi ness was chiefly in dealing with farms, and they had found it up to expectations. They attributed it to the fact that land could be purchased at cheaper rates in the King Country than elsewhere. For instance good virgin country suitable for dairying was procurable at from £2 to £3 10s per acre. The greater part of their clients came from the Manawatu and Canterbury. There was a big demand for unimproved country. Messrs McDonald and Cochrane were very hopeful of turning over a considerable amount of property during the coming year. Messrs St. Hill, Brathwaite and Co. considered that local' interests were put to a good standard, as far as cost was concerned. .They; however, considered that it was due, on account of the strides being made in the outlying district. Mr St. Hill, who was interviewed, said that the various districts in the King Country were looking well, and stock looked all that could be desired. As far as the King Country was concerned they had every confidence in it, and they were of the opinion that with continued activity in the development of rural lands that Te Kuiti had a good future, and one that business men might have every faith in.

Messrs Mackay and Jones also were of the opinion that there was no boom in Te Kuiti, and that the progress made was due to the settlement going on in the district. With regard to town sections, they were certainly in favour of the freehold. This also applied to rural lands.

A number of other agents seen were of similar opinion the general expression being the high price of section in the main business parts of the town. Suburban sections were not so far advanced, and were within the reach of the pockets of the moderate man.

Mr M. W. Forsyth, architect, stated that the building trade was brisk, and that a good class of homes was being erected both in the town and country districts. Despite the fact that building had been brisk there was a shortage of houses, and the rentals were fairly high. He had a considerable amount of work in hand, and the prospects for 1912 were certainly encouraging. Mr C. Stuart James, architect, pointed out that there was a conisderable amount of building going on in the outlying districts as well as in the town. The building trade in the town for the past year had been brisk, and an indication of the increased accommodation required was noticeable by the fact that a couple of the leading boardinghouses had found it necessary to enlarge their premises during 1911. the Pio Pio and Rangitoto districts a good number of houses were going up. This constituted a sign of the times —progress in the back country. Mr M. J. Jones, architect, said that he was very well pleased with the briskness of the building trade in 1911. He considered that the prospects for the present year were good and would compare favourably with last year. As regards the class of houses being erected, they were of a substantial type. He anticipated the erection of a better class during 1912 and he attributed it to the fact that the people were settling down and getting their various businesses established. In the country districts progress in the building line was commencing to become active and a number of settlers were making enquiries as regards building. The number of houses would be erected in the Pio Pio and Aria districts durinc the year. He regarded the outlook in the building trade for the present year as exceptionally good. The managers of the various local banks expressed themselves as well pleased with progress being made in the town, and surrounding district. Settlement had been going on to a

good extent. Farming in the district was impruving, besides which big strides were being made in connection with the dairying industry. The wool output of the district was also increasing, no doubt due to the large area of country being improved, both fern and bu3h country. All were sanguine that 1912 would see a big advancement in the development of rural lands. Roads were a necessity, and a more progressive policy would undoubtedly tend tj greater progress.