The Sale Catalogue for the 1918 Auction of properties in the two villages detailed the conditions of sale along with detailing the overall merits of the properties and their location. This might normally be seen as “small-print”, but one or two of the paragraphs make for more interesting reading, giving some indication of what was seen as desirable in those days. For example the merits of the two villages with respect to the local Hunting communities wouldn’t be stressed in more recent times.
General Remarks and Stipulations.
THE ESTATE. – The Estate now offered for sale forms one of the most attractive propertiesof its kind in the Midlands. The residential amenities of the neighbourhood are well-known, and the demand for properties in this locality is so keen that any which become available are immediately taken up. The agricultural advantages are also exceptional; the land is for the most part easy working and is through out in a high state of cultivation and has been occupied by the old-established tenantry for many years past; the houses and buildings are altogether exceptional and it would be difficult to find a better lot, most of them being quite suitable for a gentleman’s occupation; the nearness of the Estate to the well-known market and town of Rugby also adds to the attractions, and this is, in fact, one of the most important and desirable Estates from every point of view that the Auctioneers have ever had the privilege of dealing with.
The Estate has been in the ownership of the Duke of Buccleuch and his ancestors for over two centuries past. It has been most carefully maintained in every respect, and it will be found that in addition to the high state of cultivation and quality of the land, the houses and homesteads are in excellent repair.
TENURE. – The whole Estate is Freehold.
SITUATION. – The properties enumerated in these Particulars are most advantageously placed and adjacent to good roads. Dunchurch Station (L. and N.-W. R.) is adjacent to the Estate, and the excellent market town of Rugby, with its first-class Railway facilities, is only 4 miles distant. Other important towns within easy reach are Leamington 12 miles, Warwick 14 miles, Coventry 12 miles.
RESERVATIONS. – The Vendor reserves to himself all minerals (if any) with power to work the same. Also the Manorial Rights are excluded from the sale.
TENANCIES. – The particular attention of intending purchasers is drawn to the fact that for the most part the various Lots are very considerably underlet and much below present day values; the old established tenants have not been asked to pay any increased rental, a fact which intending buyers are especially asked to take into consideration.
OUTGOINGS. – The Outgoings on the Estate are extremely moderate. The details given in the Particulars are believed to be correct, but are stated for the information of purchasers only, and their accuracy is not guaranteed. The Tithe stated in the Particulars has in many cases been apportioned by the Auctioneers, and no legal apportionment shall be required at the expense of the Vendor. The Land Tax stated in the Particulars represents as far as possible the amounts now paid, but where a holding has been split up for the purposes of this Sale, the amount has been apportioned by the Auctioneers, and no allowance can be made for any variance in these apportionments which may be made by the Assessor at a subsequent date. The Landlord in most cases pays the Rates on the Cottages and Gardens (except those let with the Farms) and Allotments.
TIMBER, UNDERWOOD, AND FIXTURES. – The growing timber and underwood has been moderately valued and, where stated, the purchaser of each lot will be required to pay the amount mentioned under this head in the Particulars in addition to the purchase money of the Lot or Lots. The Landlord’s fixtures upon each Lot will be included in the sale of that Lot, but nothing belonging to the tenants, although mentioned in the Particulars or shown on the Plan, will be included.
PARTICULARS, PLANS AND SCHEDULES. – The Particulars, Plans and Schedules have been carefully prepared and are believed to be correct, but their accuracy is not guaranteed, and no claim can be admitted for errors, discrepancies, or omissions; the measurements are, as far as possible, taken from the most recent Ordnance Survey. The Cultivations given in the Schedules are believed to be as now existing, but owing to the constant changes intending purchasers must satisfy themselves that they are correct.
SPORTING. – The Sporting Rights (excluding those over Lot 4) were until recently held for a long term of years by Mr. C. E. Blyth, of Cawston House, but arrangements have been made by which this lease may be cancelled on the 25th March, 1921. Until such cancellation the Sporting Rights (excluding Lot 4) are reserved subject to the conditions of the letting which provide for certain privileges to the tenants; after such cancellation the Sporting Rights over the various Lots will pass without additional payment to the then various owners. The Property could not be better placed for Hunting, being situate in the midst of the crack Packs, and a full week’s sport can be obtained with the North Warwickshire, Warwickshire, Pytchley and Atherstone Hounds.
RIGHTS OF WAY, etc. – The several Lots are sold and shall (if the Vendor so requires) be conveyed subject to all Quit, Chief and other Rents and Outgoings, and to all Manorial rights and incidents of tenure (if any) and to all rights of way, water, light, drainage and other easements or quasi-easements affecting the same (including rights of way or of taking or receiving a supply of water from or through any other Lot, and all other rights (if any) now exercised or enjoyed by the occupiers of any other Lot), and to all party rights, rights of common and profits a prendre (if any) now existing, and to all rights of adjacent owners and to any liability to repair or contribute to the repair of roads, drains, footpaths, bridges, culverts, walls, gutters, fences, and other like matters, and subject also to the existing tenancies and all allowances to and claims for compensation of every kind and other claims and rights of the tenants thereunder or by custom of the country, or by virtue of any Statute or otherwise, but no Purchaser shall be entitled to require any information not in the possession of the Vendor as to any such claims or rights or as to any rent, outgoing, easement, or right subject to or with the benefit of which any Lot is sold or as to the ownership of any hedges, walls, fences, or other boundaries.
The Auctioneers reserve the right to alter the order of or withdraw any Lot from the Sale or offer two or more Lots together.
Any disputes shall be referred to and decided by the Auctioneers, whose decision shall be final.
