Land sale likely for unpaid rates

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 1

Land sale likely for unpaid rates

Is anyone interested in four acres of land off Dyers Pass Road, with a Government valuation of $lOO, that will probably be put up for sale, or lease, by auction?

The land is not the bargain it seems to be; and as an "abandoned” section, will probably be put up for sale by the Heathcote County Council to recover the rates on it which have been unpaid for many years.

And, according to the County Clerk(MrK.D. Stills) the section is a long, narrow one, which cannot be subdivided, and would be suitable only for grazing. The council does not know just how long the rates have been owing. The section is shown on the rate demand as belonging to the estates of the late Sir John Hall and Mr P. Westenra, the Hall estate being responsible ■ for the rates. The council cannot find a legal owner. Both estates were wound up years ago, and have no funds so year after year the rate return comes .back to the council and, periodically,

arrears are written off. The council has just written off another $1.41 and this year’s rates, amounting to 68c, will also be unpaid.

Sir John Hall, first chairman of the Christchurch Town Council in 1862, and Mayor briefly in 1906, was a notable figure in provincial and national politics for 40 years. He held Ministerial rank in several Governments and died in 1907.

Under the Rating Act, procedure is laid down to enable councils to sell abandoned land to recover rates and expenses. The council first tells the Registrar of the Supreme Court of its intentions and pays as 4 fee. , The Registrar gives written notice to all interested parties or, if they cannot be found, advertises the application. After the expiry of six months, and no claimants, the council pays $6 and the Registrar, then advertises the intention of the council to sell or lease the land.

The sale or lease must be by way of public auction or public tender, and on completion of the sale the Registrar gets another 2} per cent of the proceeds, or not less than $lO, and the remainder goes to satisfy the council for its unpaid rates and expenses.