GLADBROOK HOMESTEAD

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 13

GLADBROOK HOMESTEAD

SOLD BY AUCTION FOR £BOOO. Tho "well-known and beautifully-situated Gladbrook homestead, which for many years has been the country residence of Mr John Roberts, was sold by public auction lor £BOOO at the local office of the Lands Department on Wednesday morning. There was a very large attendance of buyers and of others interested, and it was evident that the tale had attracted a great deal of attention. . _, homestead of thi Gladbrook Estate is situated on block XXIS of Gladbrook Settlement, and comprises an area of 13/ acres 1 rood 18 poles. It is on the StrathTaieri Plain, and is about two miles and a-quarter from Middlemarch, and a little over 50 miles from Dunedin The section is well watered, and consists of level land of ver? fine quality, the soil being a rich black loam on a clay formation. Ihe section, which is securely fenced, is subdivided into' four paddocks, and is bounded on two sides by plantations. The plantations are very valuable, and very largely comprise English deciduous trees about 40 years old. About three acres and a-half is taken up with orchard, garde-i, and shrubberies. The dwelling-house is a commodious, sub-stantially-built residence of 10 rooms, and is of mica schist, blocks faced with Oamaru stone. In short, it is a most up-to-date country res : dence. The other buildings consist of lodga house of three rooms, stable, ' loose-box, harness room, groom's room, coachhouse, and garage. All the buildings are substantial stone structures in firstclass order. Mr A. M'Gavock (secretary of the Otago Land Board) acted as auctioneer.. Bidding started at the upset price of £4700, and after it had proceeded at a very spirited rate, disclosing exceptionally keen competition, the property was purchased by Mr William Ward for the sum of £BOOO. It is understood that Mr Ward, who is a vwy well-known property-owner in Southland, and who has resided at St. Clair for some time, intends to use the Gladbrook homestead as a residential property. OTHER SALES. Sixteen sections in the town of Hull

(Taieri Mouth) wore also offered at auction. The area of each was one rood, and the upset price .was £5. Eleven were sold, and five were passed in. Seven sections were purchased by Mr P. D. M'Guire, Milton, at the upset value, and one each at a similar price bv Mrs Walls, Mosgiel; Mr W. Findlator, Dunedin; Mr G. F. Hamon, South Dunedin; and Mr C. A. Wilson, Dunedin. Three small sections at Sutton, Central Otago, at an upset price of £2 10s, were purchased by Mr Joseph Deakcr, Sutton, for £6 ss, £5, and £2 10s respectively. Two sections at Lawrence were passed in.