Springs ‘village’ sold

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 1

Springs ‘village’ sold

A $400,000 scheme launched in 1965 to build a tourist village at Springs Junction, 10 miles west of Maruia Springs, on the Lewis Pass highway, officially ended yesterday.

The properties and buildings which formed the basis of the project were sold, on application of the mortgagees. A restaurant, motel units, a chalet, and bungalows at the site, which have been unused for between 18 months and two years, were sold for | a total of $48,350. [ All went to the one buyer, who at present is concealing [his identity. Although there [is a strong possibility of further legal proceedings in conjnection with the initial project, it seems likely that an'other attempt will be made [to make the village a tourist [centre. ; No reserve was placed on; [the properties, which were[ [sold in four lots, one being a [freehold section and the other three being Crown lease. i

■ The freehold section, with a modern bungalow and old house, was sold for $6700; a vacant leasehold section was sold for $650; another leasehold section with a large, two-storey chalet containing 12 bedrooms was sold for $15,000; and the largest section: —also leasehold—and covering three roods 7.8 perches, was sold for $26,000. On this section there is a block of three motels and a commercial block containing the restaurant, a shop, a I children’s hall, and a bakehouse. With the exception of the old house, all buildings were built for the village and make; use of local stone and deep-J

red stained vertical boards in their construction.' The properties were sold by Mr C. M. Robertson, of Sherris and Wilson, Ltd, for the registrar pf the Supreme Court at Greymouth, on the application of the 16 contributory first mortgagees. The original scheme was launched by Mountain View Holdings, and was to have included a licensed hotel with a heated swimming pool and; ; tennis courts. The whole vil- j lage was to be set in 10| acres of landscaped river- [ bank. ! In March, 1967, the group : was refused the transfer of a ■hotel licence from Blackball Jto the proposed hotel.