THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. "This fact I will chronicle." WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1895.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 2, Issue 124, 24 April 1895, Page 2

THE HOT LAKES CHRONICLE AND Tourists' Journal. "This fact I will chronicle." WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1895.

In another column will be found the particulars and conditions of sale of certain (own, .suburban and rural sections in this district which will be offered for lons.) for a form of ninetynine years on Thursday of next week. A glance at the map which has been issued pud freely circulated by the Lands Department in anticipation of this saic shows that intending lessees will have much freedom of choice in making their selections as thoro is scarcely a block in the new townsliip not represented on the catalogue. The upset annual rentals of the town sections range from. £3 to £'."> accord' iug to area and locality, and the suburban.and rural lands are offered at from £'2 to £lO annually. Only one of the lots has an improvement valuation placed upon it. viz,, Section -13, the buildings and fencing on which lire*set Sown at tHBlf l-">s.' The conditions of sale are regarded by some us extremely stringent, but there is no doubt that they will have a 'deterrent influence on those who merely desire lo purchase for speculative'purposes, and in that light tney may be favorably regarded. Last land sale demonstrated indubitably the presence of many bidders ofthis description— men of straw —whoso manipulations caused more than one doxaiuue purchaser to pay through tho nose for his holding. Directly on the fall of tho hammer the first half-yearly payment of rent has to be made, and within one year from the date of tho lease, improvements must be made to tho amount of ten times the annual rental. Ii tho case of rural sections they must lie fenced in within the twelve months. It will thus be seen that little inducement is offered to any but those who intend to reside or carry on business in tho locality. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, exercises a power of veto over the sale, assignment or subletting of any lease and all buildings erected must be in conformity with the present alignment of streets: The other conditions which relate to' tho construction and maintenance of cess and ash pits, and tho prevention of the carrying on of noxious trad is, will commend themselves to those who are interested in tho sanitary condition of the town. They also pave the way for the consideration of an effective system of sewerage which will be' a most important question in the immediate future.