URBAN LAND SALES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24194, 29 February 1944, Page 6

URBAN LAND SALES

VALUE OP THREE HOUSES DISCUSSED % CASE ADJOURNED FOR MORE INFORMATION “It is the Government that is getting the money from the soldier, not the builder, and if you remove the sales tax 1 will reduce my prices,” said A. E. Lyes a master builder, to the Urban Land Sales Committee at a hearing yesterday when he was applying for the approval of the sale of three houses situated on a block of land at the corner of Birdwood avenue and Western terrace, Beckenham. His purchase price fixed on each house was £1475, and he said this included about £2OO sales tax Imposed by the Government. Lyes said he was a practical man and wished to appear He was not particular whether he sold the houses or not. Two of the purchasers were servicemen. The chairman of the comiplttee (Mr K. G, Archer) asked Lyes how he proposed to satisfy the committee that the houses were worth the price he had asked for them. Lyes said that all costs had risen and that the cost of plastering alone had risen 50 per cent, during the last 12 months. Asked what each place had actually cost him, Lyes replied £1377. Mr Archer: Are you a carpenter? Lyes said he was a master builder and the number of men he employed varied. He said he was often held up th his work because of shortage of materials. "Did you have an outside valuer?” asked Mr Archer. Lyes replied he had not. Mr Archer said he thought Lyes would be wise to get a valuer. “We can only make a decision on the evidence before us,” he added. “If you don’t call any evidence you stand a chance that your price will be knocked back.” Lyes; In that case 'the houses will not be sold. Mr B. J. McKenna (a member of the committee): With whom did you serve your time? Lyes: I don’t see that it has anything to do with the case. ‘ Mr Archer: I think you had better say. After some hesitation Lyes .said he had served his tone under V 7.' T. Sunt. “We are here to decide whether we can approve the sales at the. price you ask," said Mr Archer, “but it is not our Job to fix a price on them. I suggest you should get a solicitor to appear for you as you have a lot_of money in this." An adjournment was granted lyes so that be could- bring detailed figures before the committee.