ABOVE MARKET PRICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 7

ABOVE MARKET PRICE

LAND FOR FISH HATCHERY APPLICATION TO COMMITTEE The proposed sale of an area of land, part section 1 of 40, block 1, North Harbour and Blueskin district, comprising 3 acres 1 rood 36.6 perches, to the Otago Acclimatisation Society to provide access to the Waitati fish hatchery was the subject of an application before yesterday’s sitting of the Otago Land Sales Committee—Messrs C. B. Barrowclough, D. J. Ross and E. Sincock. It was admitted by all the parties that the price asked, £2OO, was far in excess of 1942 values of land in the district, but it was claimed that the land had a special value to the Acclimatisation Society, and that in the circumstances the committee would be justified in granting consent without fixing the basic value. Mr W. F. Forrester appeared for the vendor, Mr K. W. Stewart for the purchasers, and Mr J. R. Hampton for the Crown. Saving to society Leonard Miller, secretary of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, explained in evidence that the present means of reaching Waitati from the hatchery involved crossing three fords and during certain seasons of the year, particularly during the liberating season, the local rams affected the level of the Waitati River, preventing the society's truck from getting the fish out for liberation in streams not affected by local rains. This had had a serious effect on the efficient running of the hatchery as there was a period of only three or four days in a year during which young fish could be liberated. It was estimated that the elimination of the fords would save the society approxmiately £SO a year in maintenance alone. Counsels’ Submissions Mr Forrester said the vendor, John Mitchell, was not anxious to dispose of the property and he would certainly not sell at the-Crown valuation. Mr Stewart contended that in view of the special circumstances the committee should grant consent without fixing the basic value. The society feared that unless it acquired the property now the opportunity might, not occur again. Mr Hampton pointed out that the Crown valuation was £45, which included improvements. It was admitted by the Crown valuer, however, that the property had a special value to the society. The committee reserved its decision. Applications Granted

The following applications relating to properties of £IOOO and over were approved : _ William George lies to Samuel George Talbot, part allotment 19, township of Murrayville; purchase price, £IBOO (land and buildings £1650, goodwill £ISQ. Alexander Mitchell Fraser and Florence Violet Fraser to Walter Young, allotment 2 Ardgowan settlement; purchase price £ISOO (reduced to £1460 by consent). William Stewart Stronsay Smith and Janet Thomson Smith to Robert Bruce Findlater, allotments 6, 7 and 9 to 14, block 2, township of Brooklyn; purchase price £IB7O (reduced to £IBSO by consent). - . Elizabeth Bisset to Jessie Miller, section 9, block 8, town of Kaitangata; purchase price, £I3OO. Marjorie Jessie La Roche to Eric Redmond Dawkins, allotment 22, township of Musselburgh; purchase price, £1675 (reduced to £1265 by consent). Estate Gladys Annie Tucker to Albert Victor Tucker, allotment 4, township of Musselburgh; purchase price, £1350 (reduced to £llOO by consent). Annie Malcolm Smith to. Cyril George Payton half interest in part sections 11 and 12, block 16, city of Dunedin: purchase price £I2OO. James Di:*on to Ralph Satchwell Anderson, part allotment 11, Upper Kaikorai district; purchase price, £1025 (reduced to £IOOO by consent). . William Wilson and Florence May Cuttriss to Elizabeth Ann Cheyne and Iris Jane Cheyne, part allotment 2, City of Dunedin; purchase price, £1950 (reduced to £lßls by consent). Robert Douglas Aethelston Kirk to Alfred Edward Soper, part section 62, block 18. Town of Dunedin; purchase price, £1950 (reduced to £IBOO by consent). Mary Olive to Dorothy Constance Olive, allotment 6, City of Dunedin; purchase price. £3475.