HILLSIDE SECTIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1946, Page 2

HILLSIDE SECTIONS

VALUE AS RESIDENTIAL SITES DISCUSSED LAND SALES HEARING Whether sections situated high on a hillside were worth more than low? er sections because they received more sunlight and whether a sum ex? pended in excavating work on such sections should be added to the price, were questions argued before yester? day afternoon’s sitting at Greymouth of the Westland Land Sales committee. The committee was considering applications by H. N. Ellery to sell two’Karoro hillside sections of 1- rood 7 perches each, to J. R. Shepherd and R. W. Dunwoodie. Mr. M. Wallace presided and associated with him were Messrs J. W. Greenslade and J. Mulcare. Mr,. A. M. Jamieson appeared for the vendoi’ and .Mr. N. Clay, Commissioner of Crown Lands represented the Crown. “We are all aware that the Karoro area-has been a much sought residential part of Greymouth for a number of years, being outside the limits of a highly-rated borough, and there is ol this in the qtiick growth of small homes,” stated Mr. G. F. Shallcrass, valuer, giving evidence for the vendor. He added that in their natural state the sections were superior to two others which had been sold in 1939 for £125 and £l5O. The fact that they were exposed and a little more difficult of access was more than counteracted by the added sunshine they commanded. The sections had been extensively excavated and gave well over 6,000 square feet of flat ground without any filling in. There was ample room for a terrace behind Shepherd”.? section, and the sections had both foot and vehicular access. Excavation Work It was difficult, he added, to compare elevated land with flat land, and, -therefore, smaller ■ sections on the main road which had sold in 1938 at prices between £l6O and £205, woukl not be true guides. The sections were worth £125 before excavation work was carried out, and the estimated cost of this work, £45, would have to be added to this figure. Water had been laid on, eliminating tne need for tanks, and £lO had been added for this amenity, bringing his total valuation of each section to £lBO. He considered that there-was little likelihood of slips occurring on the properties. Mr Clay submitted that the cost of excavating the section should not be considered, but the ultimate value ol the section itself. ■ Mr. Greenslade suggested that some •further information should be given to warrant the sections being sold at the price asked when the price was compared with that received lor other lower sections.

Question of Upkeep Mr. R. G. Drummond, State Advances Corporation property supervisor, indicated that he considered the steep access to the sections detrimental in comparison with other sites nearer the main road or Weenink road. He was definitely concerned at the likelihood of slips affecting tpe sections. If care was taken with the foundations of the houses to be erected however, he considered they could be’made safe. The upkeep of the properties would be extensive and retaining walls might be necessaryThe committee adjourned the hearing to allow an inspection to be made particularly ol one of the sections which the Crown considered had been built up in the front by additional material. _ , Following their inspection, t •- committee announced that it would consent to the transactions subject to price reductions. In respect ol thp sale to Dunwoodie, the price was reduced from £2OO to £170; the Crown s valuation being £l5O and that u l e vendor’s valuer £lBO, and in Shepherd’s case, the price was reduced to £l6O, that being the Crown valuation.