Auctioneer Trevor Brooks (right) and wife Maria with musician Dewitt Coppin, who made the successful bid.

by TREVOR YEARWOOD

GOVERNMENT'S Land Tax Department this week auctioned off two properties for a total of $627 000, in a continuing crackdown on debtors.

The first property to be sold, a lot covering just over an acre or about 43 000 square feet at Rockley New Road, Christ Church, was sold on Monday for $560 000, while a grass-covered plot at Woodbourne Park in St Philip went for $67 000 yesterday.

The Rockley property was reportedly sold to a member of one of the Havalivala families, and the St Philip lot was taken by a St Michael musician, Dewitt Coppin.

Coppin, who plays the saxophone, bass guitar, violin and even drums, is planning to build a house on the 6,020 sq ft (559.2 square metre) lot.

Yesterday afternoon's sale was carried out by BABCO Auctions Limited's Principal, Trevor Brooks, assisted by his wife, Maria.

The bidding started at $25 000 with a small group of prospective buyers, and within five minutes had reached $67 000.

Commissioner of Land Tax, Wayne Forde, told the WEEKEND NATION no taxes had been paid on the St Philip property for 15 years.

Last November the department announced it would put 47 properties on the block for non-payment of taxes.

"We have had some responses from property owners," Forde said after witnessing yesterday's sale, "but there are still too many delinquents."

Forde said a number of property sales planned for next week had been cancelled after owners hurriedly made arrangements to pay their bills.