101
THE ESTATES GAZETTE,
January 21, 1899.
f ersonal.
Mr. Edward Boyle, Q.O., is reading a paper on “The Bating of Collieries” at the meeting of the Surveyors' Institution on Monday next.
The title of the firm of Wansbrough and Sons, auctioneers, etc., Weston-super-Mare, has been changed to Wansbrough, Sons and Sinclair.
The partnership hitherto existing between Messrs. J. B. Hedley and J. W. Turnbull, auctioneers and valuers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been dissolved.
Messrs. D. Bradshaw and H. B. Bannister, auctioneers and valuers, Manchester, carrying on business under the style of Edwin Bradshaw and Son, have dissolved partnership.
Mr. E. Punchard, P.S.I., presided at the half-yearly rent audit of the Lunesdale Estates of Lady Henry Bentinek, held at the Boyal Hotel, Kirkby Lonsdale, recently.
Mr. Harold Griffin, F.S.I., will read a paper at the meeting of the Auctioneers’ Institute on Tuesday next upon “ Some of the Acts of Parliament specially affecting property in London.”
Messrs. Benningfield and Sharman, auctioneers, etc., 44, Haymarket, S.W., have dissolved partnership by mutual consent. Mr. Sharman will continue to carry on the business at the same address.
Mr. Latham A. Withall, E.B.I.B.A., E.S.I., Jewry House, Old Jewry, E.C., resumed (he hearing of the arbitration case, “ St. Luke’s Vestry v. Pedrette and Co.,” at the Surveyors’ Institution on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Mr. James, the agent, occupied the vicechair at the dinner given to tenants and tithe payers on the Hampden Estate, at Hampden House recently, the Earl of Buckingham himself presiding.
Messrs. Charles Johnson and Co. have commenced business as auctioneers, surveyors, estate agents and valuers, at No. 56, Gas-karth-road, Balham, S.W. Mr. Charles Johnson has had many years’ experience with West-end and City firms.
We understand that Messrs. Humbert and Flint, of No. 11, Serle-street, Lincoln’s-inn, W.C., and Watford, Herts, are engaged in the necessary valuations of the late Baron Ferdinand de Bothschild’s estates.
Mr. G. C. Anderson, for ten years manager to Messrs. Trangmar and Wilshin, auctioneers, Brighton, and previously for ten years with Messrs. Walford and Wilshin, at Anerley, has purchased the business of the late Mr. W. M. Gilbert, auctioneer and estate agent, of Hastings, and will carry on the same in the future under the title of Gilbert, Anderson and Co. The speciality of the firm will be hotel and brewery valuing.
Mr. William G. Wood, auctioneer, Skib-bereen, recently completed an auction of shop goods, household furniture, etc., which lasted from November 6 to 20, both days inclusive, thus having sold for 13 successive days (Sundays excepted) on an average of nine hours a day, and selling a. total of about 4,500 lots. The sale was carried out by order of the Cork Local Bankruptcy Court, and concluded without a hitch, the auctioneer having been complimented at the finish by several of the principal buyers.
The will of Mr. Edward Jacobs, of No. 87, Finsbury-pavement, and No. 285, Camden-road, auctioneer and estate agent, was proved on January 10 by Mrs. Miriam Eliza St. Clair, of 285, Camden-road, the daughter; Mr. Abraham Solomon Wilks, of 15, St. Mary’s-road, Canonbury; and Mr. Henry Lewis Arnold, of 35, King-street, Covent-garden, the executors; the value of the estate being £16,258 18s. 2d. The deceased bequeathed £105 to his clerk, Mr. John Lee Cole.
Mr. T. Beginald Bansom writes to us from Colwyn, Elmboume-road, Tooting-common, S.W. :—“My attention has been called to a notice in your paper in reference to my father’s late firm, Messrs. Bobt. W. Mann, Son and Bansom. The facts are not quite clearly stated, as it is owing to the death of my father that this firm has ceased to exist. The surviving partner (Mr. W. H. Mann) has rejoined his brother.”
Mr. W. Bennett Bogers, F.S.I., the President, occupied the chair at the ordinary social meeting of the Institute of Estate and House Agents, held at the Hotel de Florence, Bupert-street, W., on Thursday evening. After an excellent dinner had been served, an interesting paper on “Westminster” was read by Mr. H. Mordaunt Bogers, F.S.I. (Messrs. Bogers. Chapman and Thomas). Our report is unavoidably held over.
The S.E.B. Line in West Ashfobd.—The rating appeals in connection with the S.E. railway line and stations in the Ashford Union, which have been from time to time reported in our columns, were settled on Friday last week before Mr. Dickens, Q.O., the arbitrator, an increase of about 30 per cent, all round being agreed upon.
the present, however, this has been rendered impossible.
Some day, perhaps, the Plumbers’ Registration Bill will make its way through the House of Commons ; but Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P., at all events seems not to be very sanguine that it will come about in the near future. He had some light and genial remarks to make upon the subject in his speech at the dinner of the Plumbers’ Company this week. He might well say that for the company to drink the health of the House of Commons was like heaping coals of fire upon the heads of their enemies. Some measure for the registration of plumbers is, however, bound to be passed before very long. The maintenance of the public health depends so largely upon a high standard of plumbing that the matter is of importance to far more than those who, like owners of house-property, have to pay their bills for work which only too often is inefficiently done. There has, happily, been a notable improvement in plumbers’ work during the last few years ; but the trade is still in sore need of regulation.
BKIC-A-BBAC (p. 106).—Some Interesting sales of furniture, books, and curios are recorded! under tliis heading.
CITY TOPICS (p. 96).
COMPENSATION CASES (p. 94).—An interesting appeal in the Queen's Bench Division against a rule obtained by the London County Council, in the case of “West v. London County Council,” which originally came before the Under-Sheriff and a jury, and was fully reported at the time in the ESTATES Gazette, is reported under this heading. We also publish reports of arbitration proceedings in respect of property at Leeds and Bristol.
COMMISSION CASES (p. 94).-The Court of Appeal refused an application by the defendant for judgment in his favour or a, new trial in the case of “ Nosotti v. Auerbach,” reported in the ESTATES Gazette. November 19. The plaintiff, who is an estate agent, claimed £125 commission on the sale of a leasehold house on the Cadogun Estate, and Mr. Justice Bruce gave judgment in his favour.
FARM AND FIELD (p. 95).—Various agricultural matters are dealt with in an interesting manner by a new contributor.
FARM AGREEMENT (p. 109).—A suggested new form of agreement is given.
FORESTRY (p. 102).—Hints on the inspection of estates by Mr. Charles E. Curtis, F.S.I.
FURNITURE OLD AND NEW (p. 91).
IRISH DISTRESS CASE (p. 107).
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (p. 102).
LEGAL TOPICS (p. 107).—The principal points arising in various cases recently decided are dealt with by “ Barrister.”
LICENSED PROPERTY NOTES (p. 103).-Under this head are various important announcements concerning licensed houses, etc.
LONDON BUILDING ACT (p. 96).—We give this week the judgment of Mr. Commissioner Kerr in the action brought by Alderman Sir Horatio Davies, M.P., to set aside an award, reported in the last issue of the ESTATES GAZETTE.
׳MARKETS, THE (p. 106).
MEMS. FROM THE MART (p. 103).—An increased amount of business was transacted at Tokenhouse-yard during the week. All the sales are dealt with by “ Onlooker.”
NOTES BY THE WAY (p. 104).—Comments and ] marks on various topics of genera] interest.
OBITUARY (p. 104).
PERSONAL (p. 101).
PRIVATE TREATY SALES (p. 104).
PROVINCIAL PROPERTY SALES (p. 106).
QUERIES AND REPLIES (p. 108).
92) —Appeals against t! assessment of the Newtown (Mon.) Waterworks, land near Cambridge, and two breweries at Bu St. Edmund s, are reported.
SAYINGS ANT) TinTNnffl
Western Counties’ Auctioneers’ Association.—There was a good attendance of members at the annual general meeting, held at the Bougemont Hotel, Exeter, on Monday, January 16, some unfortunately having been prevented from attending, at the last moment, by business engagements. New members were elected. The cash account was presented, and showed a satisfactory statement of affairs, with invested capital £lio, cash in hand £21 7s. lid. Mr. W. W. Cox (of Torquay) was elected president in succession to Mr. W. J. Villar, of Taunton. Mr. J. H. Warren (Warren Bros. Exeter) was elected vice-president in succession to Mr. W. W. Cox, of Torquay. Those present testified to the many advantages arising from belonging to the association, and were strong in their expressions of hope that members would carry out their duties toward their clients in such a manner as to ensure honourable mention of every member of the association. The company subsequently dined together at the Bougemont Hotel, and spent a very enjoyable evening.
has addressed to the “ Times ” that his agitation in favour of cider is obtaining really successful results. This last autumn high prices were realised for what he calls “ vintage ” fruit—the apples and pears,from which the best cider and perry are made; in the counties of Hereford and Gloucester from £2 103. to £8 and even £4 a ton. Indeed, Mr. Cooke tells us of a case in which the record price of £6 a ton was obtained for exceptionally fine fruit. It is clear that at such prices as these grass orchards, where the cost of gathering is small, ought to be very profitable. Of course, it has to be remembered that there was no glut of fruit last year ; but even in years of plenty it is hardly likely that, with a constantly increasing demand for cider, prices would fall to their old unremunerative level. There is, indeed, no reason why the growing of vintage fruit should not become a very important industry indeed in a good many counties.
“ God save agriculture ! ” Such are the pathetic last words of the late Lord Winchilsea’s will. For many years past be had devoted all the time he could spare from the uphill task he had set himself of retrieving the position of his estates to helping the lame dog of agriculture over the stile of hard times. Something he unquestionably accomplished ; but no one man, and no one organisation can contribute much towards undoing all the mischief that has been worked by the relentless pressure of economic causes. “ God save agriculture ” we all say, but it will not be saved until the aid of men and nations has been enlisted in its behalf. At present all the other nations are making a dead set against British agriculture, with their import duties and bounties upon exports. It is true that our own lack of adaptability, which we are only now beginning to remedy, has much to do with our unlucky position ; but the fiscal arrangements of the rest of the world are, after all, the chief reason for the discontent that is in us.
Surveyors may be expected to take a lively interest in a new surveying instrument called the “ Pathometer,” which is being talked about. The contrivance can be readily fixed to a bicycle or other vehicle and, although not exactly simple, it appears to be easily understood and readily managed. The direction traversed is recorded by a compass, while a pendulum marks ascents and descents. The pendulum controls a toothed wheel which cuts a line in a tape. When the road is quite level the line in the tape is straight, but when the pendulum is swung forwards or backwards the line is diagonal, in proportion to the ascents and descents traversed. Whether the invention will be of practical professional value remains to be seen. Surveyors are, with good reason, well satisfied with the instruments they already possess; but most scientific and semi-scientific apparatus is capable of improvement, and the profession, happily for itself, has an open mind.
The report of the appeal against the arbitrator’s award in the case of “ West v. The London County Council,” which appears in another column, will be of much interest to surveyors and others. It was of a somewhat unusual character, and, in fact, Mr. Justice Day went so far as to say that he had never heard of a similar case. The Strand improvement undertaking is likely to bring about a large number of compensation cases in the near future, and it is not unlikely that the appeal was prompted by a desire to obtain a ruling that might have been applied to a wide extent in connection with the claims for Strand properties. For
sanguine that so vast a business can be well managed by a public department, which already has a hundred other exacting tasks to attend to. If the County Council were allowed to take over the water administration it would be compelled to create a special department to look after it, and the responsibility of the parent body would be much diffused. If we are to have a new authority at all, it would be simpler, more satisfactory, and almost certainly cheaper to have a department under Government, officered by the experienced and practical men who have spent many years in administering the existing companies.
THE ESTATE MABKET.
The auctions held at the Tokenhouse-yard Mart during the past week have been on a small scale and uninteresting. They were chiefly investments of a small class and ground rents, all, however, selling freely. The total of the week, £67,420, which was largely made up by brewery and gas shares, reversions, etc., was over £50,000 in excess of the corresponding week of last year, when £16,090 was the registered amount. In the provinces the most important sale was that of the Veevers Arms Hotel, Blackpool, for £17,050.
©aastoital JloUs.
The preservation of the Physic Garden at Chelsea is so desirable from every point of view that we are gratified to see that progress is being made with the new scheme. The proposal is that it should be handed over to the City Parochial Foundation, which is to grant a capital sum and make a yearly grant for maintenance not exceeding £800. Additional buildings are to be erected for the use of botanical and biological students, who are to be freely admitted to the grounds. But the project has more than a scientific interest. These three acres in the heart of Chelsea, with their secluded atmosphere and air of “ancient peace,” might become a charming little pleasure ground, and the County Council is doing well in urging upon the Charity Commissioners that the public should be admitted on “ suitable occasions.” We can hardly doubt that the appeal will be listened to,
It is not in Warwickshire alone that barbed wire is interfering seriously with hunting. We pointed out a week or two ago the difficulties to which it has led in that midland county; and now we learn that they are being felt in a far more severe form in Essex. Mr. Sheffield Neave, it is announced, has resigned the mastership of the Essex Staghounds, largely on account of wire. He complains that the deer are frequently injured by it, and adds that one half of the country which had previously been hunted has been rendered impassable, there being hardly a mile together in any part of it which is not thus infested. It is being argued that unless farmers generally were losing their interest in hunting, there would not be this preponderance of wire. That is true only to a certain extent. Wooden fences are ten times more costly than wire ones, and this is in itself sufficient to account to a very great extent for the prevalence of wire. But, undoubtedly, there is also something in the suggestion that farmers do not take the interest in hunting that they did. And for good reason. It is difficult to hunt with a light heart when you have an empty pocket!
We are very glad indeed to learn from the letter which Mr. Badcliffe Cooke, M.P.,