LOST PROPERTY AUCTION

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25245, 25 July 1947, Page 4

LOST PROPERTY AUCTION

MANY BARGAINS AT - TRAMWAY SALE

"They were much the same, but a bit tougher,” said the auctioneer commenting on the bargain hunters and the curious who attended the annual auction of lost property held by the Christchurch Tramway Board yesterday. Many and varied were tne articles offered, ranging from umbrellas and clothing, to pieces of some good, some indifferent, and some which even the most optimistic purchasers could not imagine would keep out the ram, sold readily at prices from 18s 6d to two for 3s. A lot of them were sold for about 10s, but as the sale progressed the demand slackened.’ • , The jewellery created some interest, a gold brooch “which looks as though it’s inset with diamonds and rubies’ ietching £l, and a bangle “which might be gold or-might not’ selling for 6s. Somebody’s wedding ring went lor 4s, and many brooches were bought for Is and above. The most unusual purchases were spectacles. One man bought three pairs in rapid succession for Bs, 6s, and 3s, tried each in turn, peered expectantly at his newspaper with each, and ► hen shook his nead resignedly. Another pair was sold with one of the lenses missing. Bundles of Gloves

There were some real bargains among the bundles of gloves which sold irom 2s to 7s a bundle. Mixed bundles of kid, suede, and woollen gloves, among which there were several pairs of fairisle gloves, were sold in bundles, but for some time the crowd was unwilling to buy. Nearly every pair of gloves in each bundle was worth more than the price for which the bundle was bought, some really good gloves selling for ridicuously low prices. Scarves were also cheap, a lot of them fetching about Is. Fountain pens met a ready sale, popular brands selling for 15s and 16s, and here again some persons obtained bargains. A self-propelling pencil and cigarette lighter combined was bought for Bs, and a watch was sold for 265. Some odd combinations were offered, sdeh as a brooch and one ear-ring. Clothing did not meet with a very keen demand, women’s coats bringing about 12s, boys’ coats about 3s, and several pairs of slippers about ss. In the sporting line hockey sticks, football bopts, and tennis racquets were offered, the boots and tennis racquets selling readily. There were also plenty of bathing costumes. Walking sticks were sold at Is, but numerous lunch tins were not sought. Someone finally got 20 of them for Is. Purses were also sold in bundles consisting of small purses, large purses, wallets and tobacco pouches. Here again there were several bargains. Some purchasers were not sure what they were buying when they bid for parcels left behind by shoppers, but all hoped to secure something worthwhile.

“The sale was a success, but we did r.ot get the same prices as we got last year, because some of the articles are procurable now,” said the auctioneer.