LAND SALES COMMITTEE

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 March 1945, Page 4

LAND SALES COMMITTEE

SITTING AT GREYMOUTH

Three cases have been set down for hearing by the Westland Land Sales at a sitting at Greymouth to-day, one case being heard this morning and the other two to be concluded this afternoon, Mr. M. Wallace presided at this morning’s session, and associated with him were Messrs J. W. Greenslade and J. Mulcare. Mr. N. Clay, Commissioner of Crown Lands, appeared for the Crown. Edward Stewart (Mr. C. R. McGinlev) sought permission to sell to Charles E. Clack, a residence and section in Leonard Street, Greymouth, the price being £5OO. G. F. Shallcrass, valuer, said that from a freehold point of view, taking into consideration the locality and size of the section and other sections sold in the vicinity, he considered the value of the section at £llO. Vendor could obtain £lOO on the' market for the section any day. As a working man’s home the locality had an added advantage, enabling him to be adjacent to his employment. To Mr. Clay: The occupier of the house would be paying £2 a year more than if he had a direct lease. R. G-. Drummond, supervisor, State Advances Co-operation said the house was situated in a poor residential locality and the size of the section was inadequate for a residence. The house was 45 years old, and outhouses were in fair to poor order. Extensive repairs were necessary including almost entire replacement of the weather-boards. There was severe borer infestation. The property had been neglected for many years, and considerable expenditure was required to bring it into normal condition. He* valued th-e house at £225, outbuildings at £2O and fencing at £lO. The freehold value ol the section was £llO, minus the lessor’s interest of £lOl, leaving the lessee’s interest of £264 in the house and property. The vendor when he purchased the property for £4OO in 1941, paid too much. Mr. Clay pointed out that in a recent case the price originally paio by vendor was not subject to the Land Sales Act. Apparently the Crown had accepted that basis and this case was similar. The Chairman stated that the onus was on the Crown to prove that the original price was excessive. The Crown contended the price was excessive but had not proved that fact and the committee had to assume that the price was one arrived at as between two reasonable men. Mr. Clav said it would be difficult for the Crown to prove that a previous sale had been unreasonable or not. Continuing his submission, he contended that the value of the property at the outside should not exceed £289. Mr. McGinley said . vendor had purchased the property for £4OO and had spent £5O on improvements. He would accept the price of £450 for the property if the committee consented. He contended that the Crown’s value of the house was nor reasonable. The committee reserved its decision, announcing that it would inspect the property. J. C. Drummond applied for permission to sell to W. W. Parkinson, a property on Marsden Road, Grey-, mouth, at a price of £1250. Mr. C. R. McGinley, who appeared foir vendor, said the value of improvements was accepted at £1065. an‘d the value of the section was the only point in dispute. G. F. Shallcrass said the house had an uninterrupted share of sunshine all the day, and the section was of 32 perches. He gave details of other sales of sections in the locality, many of which realised £175. He valued the section under consideration at £2OO. (Proceeding).