Loot-to-boot land sales pitch

Part of a property at Lake Dunstan, near Clyde, which a real estate company says is linked to a...
Part of a property at Lake Dunstan, near Clyde, which a real estate company says is linked to a 1870 gold heist. Photo by Jono Edwards.
A real estate company is bringing creative advertising to a new level with hints of treasure being buried on a Clyde property.

Bayleys Realty Group is selling 1142ha of land beside the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club, claiming the property once held a pioneer-era gold-heist hideout.

Property salesman David Gubb said a colleague researched the story at Alexandra Central Stories Museum of bandits George Rennie and Malcolm McLennan, who in 1870 stole 2099oz of gold from the Clyde Police Station storage vault.

The two camped out on a part of the property with the loot, which at current prices would fetch almost $4million.

The pair were caught, but 30oz of gold was missing.

The land is owned by farmer Neil North, who uses it to graze merinos.

Mr Gubb said he personally "hadn't been lifting up rocks'' to discover whether the gold was buried there, but it was a good story for potential buyers.

The land could be turned into a private lifestyle block, a luxury lodge or a private hunting reserve, he said.

If the new owners hope to find the 30oz of gold while taking the dog for a stroll, they will still need to come up with the rest of the upwards of $1.1million the company hopes the property will fetch.

jono.edwards@odt.co.nz

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