HYDE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 386, 4 August 1876, Page 3

HYDE.

(From our own correspondent.) August Ist. In the 'Provincial Government Gazette' of July 2Gth an advertisement appears, stating that several sections of land in the township of Hyde will bo submitted for sale in the Court House, Naseby, on the 28th—upset price for front sections, £8; for back sections, £5. A word or two in connection with this matter will not be out of place, as it is one having a direct bearing upon the interests of Hydonians. Last May a public sale of town sections (Hyde) was held in the Court House here. Then, as now, the upset price was similarly advertised, But few bidders came forward, and the auctioneer, with the object, no doubt, of making business more lively, said that the upset price for front sections should bo reduced to tho set upon the back ones—i#., £5 each. Four front allotments were bought at the lowered figure. People then said that, had it been generally known before the day of sale that a reduction oi 37 per cent, could be made by the auctioneer at the time of vending, or if the upset price had been set at £5 and so advertised, many more persons would have become purchasers of town lots. Now I would just gently hint to the powers that be that they should take the initiative, and not leave it for the auctioneer to do. The circumstances have not much _ changed since the last sale, and there is little hope of £3 per front section being realised. "At £s—and it is expected that that should be the ruling price—a good many would be bought up. And yet a little more. Surely Hyde is more conveniently and centrally placed, relatively to Hamilton, Macraes, Blair Athol' and itself, than Naseby, at which town the forthcoming sale comes off. It would not entail more expense on the Government to have the salesman travel via .Hyde, by conch, than if he took the way of Waihemo and Pigroot, while on his land-jobbing peregrinations. The interests of possible buyers would in this wise be fairly considered, and there can be no doubt that the business would be more likely to be thereby increased. These things ought to be attended to, and set right' before the day of sale. Saying in my last letter that " the survey dragged on slowly," I did not mean that it should be inferred any blame attached to tho working survey party. The gentlemen in connection therewith were most assiduous, and so far as they could, cornformably with orders, evinced every desire to oblige and assist tho wishes of persons concerned in the welfare and settlement of the district, having -won the esteem of all seeking information thereauent by their .considerate affability. The »urvey is now concluded. I don't know what changes (if any) have been made, but the Goldfields Secretary, in a letter to the Progress Committee, says it has been so arranged that each purchaser shall have at least a section of 175 acres. I suppose this must content us for the present. But, aeon, more land will be needed, and it must not be withheld if the people are to be permitted to make homes for themselves and families. Breaking up for crop is now becoming general, and the fine weather favors the work. So time should be lost in proclaiming tho block. The sale of town lots and the deferred payment area could take ' place at the same time-—'- kill two birds," &c, eh ! messieurs the Government.

Mining news in my next, it" items come to hand, as is most probable. The want of water is, however, a great drawback, and claiicholders feel it very much.