2048
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 91

WELLINGTON LAND DISTRICT—continued.

Tokaanu Township is situated near the centre of the North Island, and about half-way between Wellington and Auckland, on the main coach-road connecting with the railways running from these two cities. The land on which the township is laid out is nearly all flat, running down to the shores of Lake Taupo, the elevation of which is about 1,200 ft. above sea-level. It is proposed to build a light pier at the end of the street to facilitate the despatch of the steamer which runs during the summer to and from the north end of the lake. At the south is Maunganamu, a high hill, reserved for a park in the future. The large number of hot springs on the western part of the township has rendered this place famous, and, when facilities for baths are greater, it is sure to become one of the great sanatoria of the country, more especially of the southern part of the North Island. There are hot springs, solfataras, and salses of various kinds and degrees of heat, with many healing waters. Pure mountain-water can be readily brought into the township from streams which rise in the high range to the south of the township. Directly across the lake, and not more than two miles from the centre of the township, are the falls of Waihi, celebrated for their beauty, whilst the abrupt shores of Taupo, running thence northwards, offer to the visitor much pretty scenery, which in the Western Bay becomes grand. The lake has been stocked with trout, which are gradually spreading up the many streams that fall into it; and the great central group of mountains—Ruapehu and Tongariro—will shortly, it is hoped, be stocked with the red deer. Tokaanu is the most convenient place from which to accomplish the ascent of the mountains, which are fast becoming a resort of visitors.

The northern and eastern portions of the township comprise low-lying lands and swamps partly drainable, the latter covered with manuka scrub, and with grass in places; the soil is fairly good, and in parts is suitable for garden purposes. The south-western portion is situated on sloping ground commanding a beautiful view of Lake Taupo; the soil is light, but the sections are well adapted for occupation as healthy residence-sites. The township is sheltered from the south and south-west winds by the high range connecting Pihanga and Kakaramea, which, being forest-clad, adds much to the beauty of the country and site.

The central position of Tokaanu, on the main line of communication between Auckland and Wellington, with the noble Lake Taupo and fine thermal springs on its borders, and being within easy distance of the magnificent Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro Mountains, Lake Roto-a ira, and numerous other beautiful scenes, together with the advantages of a salubrious climate, should render the sections now under offer attractive and desirable investments.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.

1. The respective sections shall be offered by auction at Wellington.

2. The bidder of the highest rent shall be declared to be the lessee, and, if any dispute arises as to the last or highest bidding for any section, the section in dispute shall be put up again at the last-preceding bidding.

3. The highest bidder for each section shall, upon the fall of the hammer, pay to the auctioneer the half-year's rent in advance by way of deposit, which shall represent the half-year's rent due in advance on the 1st July next. The value of the improvements shall be paid by the incoming tenant to the Receiver of Land Revenue at Wellington, on behalf of the outgoing tenant, within one month, and before possession is given to the new tenant.

4. The second half-year's rent shall become payable on the 1st January, 1899, and thenceforth shall be paid half-yearly in advance.

5. As soon as may be after the highest bidder is ascertained, a lease will be prepared, for which there will be a charge of £1, to be paid by the lessee. Such lease shall be for the term of twenty-one years, commencing from the 1st day of July next, and the lessee shall execute the same in triplicate at the office of the Commissioner whenever requested so to do.

6. Should the highest bidder neglect or fail to comply with any of the conditions, his deposit-money shall thereupon be forfeited to the Commissioner, who shall be at full liberty either to enforce the letting or to relet the premises at such time and place and in such manner as he thinks fit.

7. Every lease shall be in the following form, with such modification as the circumstances may require:—

THIS deed, made the day of , one thousand eight hundred and ninety-, under the provisions of “The Native Townships Act, 1895,” between Her Majesty Queen Victoria (who, with her heirs and successors, is hereinafter referred to and included in the expression “the lessor”) of the one part, and , of , in the Land District of , in the Colony of New Zealand (who, with his executors, administrators, and permitted assigns, is hereinafter referred to and included in the expression “the lessee”), of the other part, witnesseth that, in consideration of the rent hereinafter reserved, and of the covenants, conditions, and agreements herein contained and implied, and on the part of the lessee to be paid, observed, and performed, the lessor hereby demises and leases unto the lessee all that piece of land, containing by admeasurement acres roods perches, a little more or less, situate in the Native Township of , and being allotment numbered , Block , on the plan of that township, as the same is more particularly delineated and described in the plan drawn hereon, and therein coloured red in outline; together with all ways, rights, easements, and appurtenances to the same belonging: To hold the demised premises unto the lessee for the term of twenty-one years, commencing on the 1st day of , one thousand ; yielding and paying therefor the annual rent of , payable half-yearly in advance on the 1st day of January and the 1st day of July in each year during the said term, free from all deduc-