THE PROPERTY MARKET.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 114, 13 May 1920, Page 7

THE PROPERTY MARKET.

i)EMAXD SLIGHTLY EASIER. Reports concerning the property market in Auckland over the past week seem to indicate that the demand is etill very keen, though not quite co insistent, especially in the matter of suburban "holdings. This is probably influenced to some extent by the weather, and those who have been watching for signs of a falling off consequent upon the proposed tramways increases, are not -yet prepared to say definitely that this has lessened the demand for houses and other property in the near suburbs. The house hunger is etill appar : ehtly as acute as ever," but sellers are diminishing in . number, except in cases where fancy prices are being asked. An informant gave as one reason for this, his opinion that people with homes had now discovered that they could not afford to sell, for the simple reason that they were nervous about getting another place to live. The tendency is increasing, he declared, to ask higher deposits for houses. One or two fairly large deals in country properties, are reported to be in the air now, but for the most part they have not reached finality. CLAIMS FOR POSSESSION. Illustrations of the continued shortage of dwellings were given at the Magistrate's Court to-day when Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., had to deal with two applications for , possession of tenements. In both, cases the properties had changed hands, and the new owners wanted to get into their houses. Evidence was also given for ihe defence that it was very difficult to get a house to rent. The first case was that of James Gallagher (Mr. Burt), v. J. A. Hair (Mr. Hosking), for possession of a house in Argyle Street, Heme Bay. The evidence showed the house was let in. 1017 at 30/ per week. Later the rent paid was £2 2/ per week. The plaintiff wanted the house for his own use, and now sought an order for possession.

Mr. Hosking, upon the case for the plaintiff being closed, raised the point that notice to quit had not been pu* in.

Hie Worship nonsuited plaintiff in 'absence of notice to quit having been proved. Mre. Mary A. Wood (Mr. Leafy), wanted possession of a tenement let to Thomae Dare (Mr. McLiver). The evidence was to the effect. that defendant paid £1 2/6 per week rent for the tenement. The house had since been sold, and one month's notice to quit was given. The defendant's three eons had been to the war. Mr. McLiver eaid there was no evidence of a weekly tenancy, also that the notice was out of order.

Hie Worship made an order for possession to be given in three weeks' time.