VALUE OF GOLD-FIELDS LAND.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3191, 8 October 1867, Page 3

VALUE OF GOLD-FIELDS LAND.

It will be in the recollection of our readers that some two months since the Government proclaimed about seven thousand acres of land at Kauaeranga, on the Thames, a goldfield ; and a township was laid out, in allotments of about 33 feet by 100 feet, which were let at 6s. per foot per annum, being something like £95 per acre. This land belongs to the natives, who receive the rent through the Gj-overnment, the lessee paying quarterly in advance. Onewould imagine, considering the tenure, that this was a tolerably fair price ; but speculation has greatly improved npon it, and we believe at least two of our banks have secured sites on the new township. If we are rightly informed, the Union Bank paid a premium of £75 -for half of an original allotment, which cost £9 18s. If our readers take the trouble to calculate the increase it will be found that this purchase is about 1,500 per cent, on £4 195., the year's rent for half the allotment. This instance is a tolerably fair illustration of speculation in town lots in this province ; and it is not the only one. Many allotments on the new township have changed hands at something like the same fabulous increase ; and no doubt a very lucrative trade will be driven by the lawyers in the fabrication, subdivision, and transfer of titles. Whether the speculations will turn out profitable to all parties is another question. "When it is considered that the cost, in the case we have selected by way of illustration, adding the premium to the annual rental of £4 195., is nearly £2,000 per acre, one will have a better idea of the nature of the speculation in land that is being encouraged at Shortland Town. We have no doubt whatever that the Government, or any private individual, could have purchased the whole 7,000 acres proclaimed in the goldfield, with the township included, a short time ago, for £2,000. Now, however, as much is given for the right to occupy a single acre. Let us add, that we have no objection to any one investing his money in whatever way he pleases ; but we deem it to be our duty to put the facts fairly before the public. When so much depression exists in Auckland, it is hardly wise to encourage over-speculation at Shortland Town, for it is certain to react upon us here. Setter far to let the township grow up to be a brisk trading place without any preliminary inflation, because it is hardly yet decided where the most payable goldfield ii to be found on the Thames district. At the same time, we have no doubt whatever that in the ordinary course of things a town will spring up on the site chosen by Mr. Commissioner Mackay. If the Karaka goldfield is rapidly developed it will share its fortune ; but we think it is injudicious to encourage over-speculation in building sites there at present.

At the annual meeting of the trustees of the Mount Wellington Highway District, held at the Panmtue Inn on the Ist instant, the following gentle- i men were elected trustees for the ensuing year :— Messrs. A. T. Cawkwell, B. Ireland, W. 0. Hamlin, G. E. Ireland, and R. Ryburn. Messrs. J. M. Hamlin and M. McPherson were appointed auditors, and the rate was fixed at fd. in the pound on the value to sell. The first meeting for the election of Highway Trustees for the Wairoa Highway District alto took place on the same day, when Messrs. J. Walker, G. Munro, J. Macdonald, F. H. Browne, and E. Roberts were duly elected. The rate was fixed at one penny in the pound on the v»lue to selL Mr. Cochrane, Mr. Watson Bain, Mr. Walter Williamson, and Mr. Holland, the manager of the company sinking the prospecting shafts on the Karaka flat, called at the banks, and it was arranged that the managers should meet to discuss the appeal made for assistance to enable the prospectors to bottom the shafts on the Karaka flat, ■with a view of discovering alluvial gold. After the bank managers have decided, the public will be waited upon by Mr. J. Watson Bain and Mr. Holland. About nine o'clock yesterday, Mr. Peter Bryan, of Parnell, while walking in St. George's Bay, saw the body of a man in the water. He immediately reported the circumstance to constable Clarke, of Parnell, who had the body r -moved to above highwater mark, and in the course of the day it was taken to the dead-house by the water police. The body, which appears to have been in the water for about a week, has not yet been identified^and, as the flesh is nearly all off the face, recognition will be difficult, except by the clothes. The following is the description : — Medium height ; hair, short and greyish brown; between fifty and sixty years of age ; was clothed in a blue serge shire, pepper-and-salt trousen, lace-up shoes, grey calico shirt, and a leather belt with brass buckle. The police have not received intimation of any one answering to the above description being misting* An inquest will be held to-day. At the Police Court, yesterday, several persons ware punished for drunkenness. Thomas Roberts was charged with neglecting to support his wife and five children ; the case was adjourned to enable the Commissioner of Police to make some inquiry into the circumstances of the defendant. Cross actions of assault and breach of Turnpike Act between Mr. F. Wrigley and Mr. Gerrardwere withdrawn. Barbara Walker was sentenced to fourteen days' impritonment f or using obscene language in the public street. A meeting of the members of No. 1 company Auckland Rifle Volunteers was held last night at Mr. Hazard's Rifle Gallery, for the purpose of revising the rules of the company. A number of the rales were gone over, and alterations made. The 'meeting was adjourned till next Monday nigkfc , .

At » recent meeting of the Waiuku Agricultural Society it was determined not to bold a cattle aud produce show this season. A i-übjiosoitee, in oelebration of the anniversary of the piU-atreet Wesleyan Churoh, will be held this evening at half past six o'oloik, in the church, when a report -mil be presented by the trustees, and addresses delivered by -various ministers and other friends. A seleotioa of muiio will also be per* formed. A correspondent of the Dunstan Times has seen a real live moa. He write* — "Knowing that anything new concerning the great bird cannot fail to pleate a great number of your readers, I take this opportunity of detailing to you what actually came under my own observation. In the first place, I must tell you that myself and three mates have been snowed-in for the last six weeks, having thoughtlessly encamped in some region contiguous to the^ North Pole, in search of the precious metal ; and this is the first opportunity I have had of transmitting the following information :— On Saturday, 27th July, about four o'clock in the afternoon, while enjoying: a pipe by the side of a small fire in our hut, with the door open, my attention was suddenly directed to a large animal on the opposite range. I was not long in doubt as to what the stranger was. My mates cried out, "It's the moa ;" and tbe moa sure it was. The bird must have been more than a mile in a straight line from us ; but as the horizon was clear, erery movement could be detected. The bird was evidently going at a great pace, and I can only compare it to the movements of the emu or ostrich. We had a full view of the bird for more than two minutes, when he suddenly disappeared on the other side of the range. He was travelling to the west, and, I should think, passed close to the Nbkomai. I forward a sketch, as near as I possibly can recollect, of the form, but as to the size I am not able to judge, as the distance was so great, and no other objects near, to which I could compare it. Themorningafter, my mates and self took a walk up the range where we first saw him, and there we discovered his tracks in the snow. Fresh snow had fallen, and we had not a chance to continue our researches. _ Of oourse I well know that many who read this will place no reliance on these statements, putting them down in the same category with stories of the sea serpent. I was myself sceptical for a long time as to the moa being extinct ; but having seen so many proofs on the surface of the bird's recent sojourn amongst us, I remain no longer in doubt. It is immaterial to me what others may think, for I am fully satisfied now that I based my belief on what has turned out to be true ; and however this tale may go down with the public, I have done my duty in making known the facts. I enclose my name as a guarantee of good faith, not for publication, knowing well if it appeared in print I should be assailed from all quarters ; and not wishing to carry on a paper war on the facts of the case of which I cannot have any possible doubt, I must for the present remain incognito. To any parties desirous of seeing the enclosed sketch, you are at perfect liberty to exhibit it. I need only add that if a party can be made up to qo # in search, I shall only be too happy to form one of its members." Mr. Alfred Buckland will sell, to-day, at 2 o'clock, atthe Triangle, Otahuhu, ewes, steers, heifers, store cattle, growing stock, &c. Messrs. C. Arthur and Son advertise that they w:ll sell, to-day, at their store, at II o'clock, drapery, clothing, boots, shoes, brushware, &c.j also at 12 o'clock, potatoes, kerosine, butter, &c. Messrs. William Hunter and Co. will offer for sale by public auction, to-day, at 2 o'clock, at the Otahuhu saleyards, steers, cows, heifew, store stock, horses, pig", &c Messrs. Bright and Co. will sell, to-day, at 11 o'clock, at their mart, wines, spirits, Ac; also at 12 o'clock, farms in the Kaipara. Mr. George Sibbin will sell today, by public auction, at eleven o'clock, at his marc, mutton, potatoes, maize, duelling pistols, furniture, &c, &c.