THE MOA FLAT SALE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 225, 23 May 1872, Page 7

THE MOA FLAT SALE.

The agreement entered into by Mr. Clarke and the Waste Lands Board, whereby the latter engaged to put up for sale by auction the 1900 acres of agricultural land excluded from the 45,000 acre block, was fulfilled last Friday, the lfth inst. The greatest interest was manifested in* the affair by the residents of the Mount Benger district, and at the hour appointed for the commencement of proceedings — 12 o'clock — a large concourse of farmers, storekeepers, and miners had assembled at the Roxburgh Court-house, the place appointed for the sale. At half-past twelve Mr. Chappie, the auctioneer, put up the first section, containing 64 acres. Mr. Clarke's manager, Mr. Kitching, offered the upset price, but it was speedily run up to 255, at which figure it was knocked down to him. It now became evident that Mr. Clarke was not going to have it all his own way ; that the residents of the district were bent on bearding the lion in his den, and were not going to let "the landslip without'a determined struggle. The next section, to the delight of the assemblage, run up to 60s before it was allowed to fall into the clutches of Clarke. The next section also fell to the lot of Clarke; and so, after some spirited bidding, at prices varying from 25s to 40s. did all up to No. 11, which, after a smart contest, was knocked down to Mr. M'Kay for 35s per acre. The aunounoement of i the name of the purchaser of this section was hailed with signal marks of approval, . and the fact that it may be considered the key of the block added greatly to the public satisfaction. Public interest now became intensified into excitement as lot after lot was run vp — the more choice ones to high figures, lot 15 being purchased by Mr. M'Kenzie for 25s per acre. The excitement reached its climax when lot 18, containing 49 acres, was put up by Mr. Chappie. The competition f orthe possession of this section was the battle royal of the day. Bid followed bid in rapid succession . Three pounds wt s reached and passed, and yet the bidding did not lull. Those assembled waited in breathless expectancy, hoping, yet almost afraid to hope, that Clarke would again be foiled. " Eighty shillings I'm offered !" at Jasfc announced the auctioneer. " Eighty shillings ! No advance on eighty shillings ! Going at eighty shillings !" And go it did, Air. Kitching having jibbed.' Mr. M'Kenzie, of Moa Flat, was the purchaser, and, at the announcement of the fact, the pent-up excitement found vent in a rattling volley of cheers,' which made the welkin "ring again, and' was several times repeated: Such a warm expression of public gratification lias seldom been given in this country, and it showed unmistakeably the feeling of the people in regard to the sale. . VVhen the cheering had subsided, which took some time for it to do, business was resumed. Nothing special marked the proceedings, with the exception perhaps — on this occasion it may be considered special — that several lots were knocked down to Mr. Clarke at the upset price. All the other lots were run vp — the highest figure reached being 575. per acre for section 19. With the exception of three sections — one being purchased by Mr. M'Kay for 355. per acre, and the other two for 80s. and 255. per acre respectively, by Mr. M'Kenzie — the whole of the fine block of land fell into the hands of Mr. Clarke. The only satisfactory feature in the transaction is that Mr. Clarke did not obtain the land at the upset price ; all others are scandals to representative institutions. The amount realised was £3145 4s, oranaverage of £1 13s. Id. ,per acre. Appended is a list of the -sections sold, their" area, and the price per acre realised : — NO. OF SECTION. AREA. PBICE PER ACRE.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 , 9 10 11 12 13 U 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 . 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 ' 35 36 37 64 52 50 45" 43 46 51 54 53 51 55 . 47 48 38 44 47 48 49 50 54 56 52 65 64 . 55 49* 59 42 45 47 CO 59 47 42 39 52 55 £14 0 3 0 0. 15 0 1 15 0 1 18 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 1 8 0 1 10 0 19 0 1 15 0 1 10 0 1 10 0 1 5 0 1 -2 : 0 14 0 1 16 0 • 4 0 0 2 17 0 2 0 0 16 0. 14 0 19 0 12 0 1 0 0 10 0 10 0 1 0 0 1 16 0 2 1 0 2 2 0 2 0 0 "18 0 14 0 I 2 0 12 0 19 0