SALE OF FARM REFUSED

Evening Star, Issue 25171, 10 May 1944, Page 5

SALE OF FARM REFUSED

COMMITTEE STATES REASONS The Otago Land Sales Committee at a sitting yesterday refused to grant an application for approval of the sale of a farm property in the Owaka district to an adjoining land owner. The committee consisted of Messrs E. J. Anderson (chairman), Neil McNamara, and D. J. Ross. It dealt with 33 applications, of which 21 were granted in the terms of the agreements between the parties, six were granted at reduced prices, and five were adjourned. The application for the sale of the farm was lodged by A. W._ McNeill (Mr J, T. Walter), the prospective purchaser being, Alexander Forsyth. The property consisted of 171 acres. The purchaser stated that he owned an adjoining farm of 200 acres, and he wished to improve it by securing easier, access to water and to assist in the rehabilitation of a soldier who had previously worked for him. In announcing its refusal of the application, the, committee gave the following reasons:—(l) That a form of aggregation would take place, with the effect of putting out of business a dairy farmer, McNeill, who on the evidence was a highly competent producer; (2) that the applicant's statement in his filed declaration "that he required ,20 acrgs -of McNeill's farm.for water was' not justified , on- the evidence submitted ; moreover, ;-if this were permitted it would split McNeill's farm so that the balance would be converted into an uneconomic unit at a time when the country required maximum production; (3) it was not possible to give weight to the suggestion that the soldier would, if he asked for it, get the whole of McNeil's farm. That alternative basis by Forsyth as a reason for purchase did not coincide with his desire for water rights. In any case, the committee added, the soldier was not before the committee, nor was there any real evidence as to his desire and capabilities to take over the farm. Further, the soldier owned 203 acres 3 roods 2 poles of grazing land five miles away, from which he derived a reasonable return while he was away on service. An application by Albert Henry Bishop (Mr B. S. Irwin) for authority to sell a store, dwelling, and stables at Wiugatui 16 Beatrice Victoria' Welsh (Mr L B. Stevenson) at £2,300 (land and buildings £1,660, goodwill £4OO, chattels £240) was the subject of a hearing., The committee granted the application at £2,100 (land and buildings £1,600, goodwill £2OO, chattels £300).