CHINESE SPECULATORS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19503, 11 June 1925, Page 13

CHINESE SPECULATORS.

I INQUIRIES FOR PROPERTY. (From Odr Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 10. Chinese speculators are said to be taking a keen interest in the property market in Christchurch at tho present time. Many Canterbury land agents report having had inquiries from Chinese desiring lo’ purchase land in the ciiy. From the description of the men it, appears that two envoys of a Wellington institution have lately been in Christchurch. “I know nothing whatever about these dealings,” said Mr George Chew Lee (prosi. dent of the Chinese Nationalists’ Association in Christchurch), when asked if tho local Chinese community had any connection with tho dealings. "Wo m Christchurch have nothing at all to do with tho business. Maybe they aie people from Wellington who are after the land, but I don’t know anything about that. Tbey might toll you in Wellington what they are doing.” Several hind agents who were questioned in connection with the matter stated that the Chinese who had viisted them were very discriminating and had turned down some very choice city businesses. In all cases business premises were wanted, and it was pointed out that the demand was always for properties, within the town area, where the purchase of (ho lauid would run into thousands of pounds. “Wo had a Chinaman in here only the other day,” stated a representative of one firm of land agents. ' ire wanted to buy a property in the city, and from the way ho talked it appeared that he had tho money, but lie was very hard to please, and wo didn't satisfy him.” It appears that this same man has been calling in nt land agents’ offices, sometimes with a partner, for a week or two past. Tho opinion was expressed by one agent that a syndicate of Chinese speculators was responsible. It is understood that there is only ono freehold property owned by Chinese within tho city area at the present time.