A LAND SA.LE IN 1880.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 93, 16 July 1880, Page 2

A LAND SA.LE IN 1880.

[OOMMUNICITKD.] The property has been well advertised, and is worth purchasing. The auction room is filled by inpn who know what is to be offered and its value, and who can easily purchase did they choose. During the reading of the terms of sale there is quiet conversation, each one detailing the value to his neighbor. When the position and capabilites of the first lot are being dwelt upon by the auctioneer, he is watched by interested eyes, as much as to say, " Keep a look out for me." An offer is requested. The audience immediately find something of moment attracting their attention on the £oov : carefully prepared plans on the wall are ignored, and the Auctioneer has as i?ood a view of the backs of the settlers' heads as any barber who may hereafter settle in the locality. The audience feel their position. Each looks at. his neighbor, and expects him to do his duty. The auctioneer again enters upon the opening the lot offers for speculation, during which the gentle inclination of two heads towards oue another amongst the wealthier citizens is observed. The consultation ha 3 been productive. A perceptible pulling of himself together is noticed in one of them, which the other imitates, knowing the result has arisen from his persuasion, and with a kindling eye and cheery note, the auctioneer is bid ten pounds towards the purchase of a property worth £500. If ever a man felt ho had accomplished his duty, the first bidder evidently considers he has, until a difficulty is nxperienced in obtaining an adv noe, when he views hi* friend with a look full of all the unchrißtiahlike 'feeling* one is warned against in earliest youth. On a further rise beiDg made, the first bidder is able to view his friend with better feelings, and uses the expression which the shock from the delay caused him, to appear as regret in not having acquired the property, but he either affeots the sun is too powerful and therefore sits with half closed eyes, or he traces mental calculations on the floor with hia stick till the lob is either oojd or withdrawn.

An auction of land impels men to attend, the old leaven of speculation being at work

within, and the fits and starts of the nudi enoe denote the fearful mental conflict between the speculative faculty and cautiousness. A bid by one more rash than hh neighbor will cause a start iv two or three, who will gaze at the auctioneer with half open lips, that seem to say, " That ia just what I was going to aay," but the next bid is hard to get. A few will keep a quiet smile with a gentle shaking head to denote to the others, that they would be just the ones to buy, only they know too much. At a pau«e, how many nwke a half turn towards The door, but seeing others making the sum > preparation, they resolve to hold their ground a little longer, till the last lot but one' admits of their pretending their opportunity is lost, and as many as possible make a hasty departure.. _„..■«. SuohJittte scenes may be-noticed *f uny land Hale held in this year of grace 1880, and shows how powerfully a minute but direct taxation will aot on the most sen^ aible of mindr. This^iHafford an indica-" tion of what may be expected for ■ some time to come, and further shows the hardship and direct pecuniary loss which' is entailed upon holders of any kind of property, at which a Government is constantly tinkering with experimental taxation.