Untitled

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 704, 12 January 1853, Page 2

A Sale of Crown Lands took place yesterday, which appeared to excite more than ordinary attention, the number of persons

present being considerably greater than usual, and the competition for several oi the Lots very spirited. The Proclamation included Lauds in Freeman's Bay, the village of Onebnnga and its vicinity, the Hundred of Panmure, (near Mount Wellington, and Tama id Farms,) the Hundred of Onebnnga (near Mount Smart), the Hundred of Howick, and several of the Manurewa Farms. Most of the small lots about the village of Onehunga were purchased by Pensioners, who afforded gratifying evidence of their improving circumstances, and of their disposition to " lake root in the soil" by their biddings, which, in several instances, mounted considerably above the upset price. A small lot at Waiuku, offered at 20/., but subject to 550/. for improvements, was bought by Mr. Constable, by whom, we believe, the improvements referred to had been made. Mr. J. Rout purchased seven lots near Onehunga, at the upset price, amounting in the whole to upwards of 220/. In the same Hundred, two lots were knocked down to Mr. Rutherford for 357/.. 15s. 6rf., and one to Mr. A. Rooney for 118/. 1 Is. 6c/. Of the Manurewa Farms, Mr. Jas. Macky bought three for L 2ML itfs. and Mr. Kemp two, for 288/., in both cases the upset price. . . . Protests were read by Mr. Joseph Newman and Mr. Joseph Robinson, against, the right of the Government to sell lands which they claim as theirs respectively; but this did not prevent; "the lands finding purchasers. Of two lots claimed by Mr. Newman, No. TA was bought by Mr. Finlay at the upset price of 08/. ss. ('»</., and No. ~> L 2 the upset price of which was 06/. Is. (kl. was after a smart competition knocked down to Mr. Williams for 200/. Lot 37 of the same section, claimed by Mr. Robinson, was, after the Auction had concluded, bought by Mr. Simpkins at the upset, price of 149/. 17*. !)</. The total proceeds of the sale amounted to about 2,042/., and the anxiety shown to obtain many of the lots, as well as the prices paid, afforded a satisfactory proof of the increasing value of land in the Auckland district, and of the increasing disposition and ability of the settlers to purchase it. One bitter reflection, however, was thai, according to the provision in favour of the New Zealand Company contained in the New Constitution Act, one fourth of the total proceeds—upwards of 500/. on this one day's sale—must be aleuiated from the purposes of the Province, and handed over to that griping and unprincipled Association. This thought is surely enough to add increased energy to the determination —already universal in New Ulster —to resist, whatever effort or cost the resistance may involve—an infliction so monstrously unjust and oppressive.