BALLANTYNE’S STOCK

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25364, 11 December 1947, Page 2

BALLANTYNE’S STOCK

SALVAGED GOODS AUCTIONED DEMAND FOR SUITINGS AND LININGS Suit lengths and linings, vacuum cleaners, socks and ties were most keenly sought, by buyers at the auction goods salvaged from the basement and stores of J, Ballantyne and Coinpany’s premises, which opened in the King Edward Barracks yesterday. Bidding was not brisk among the large crowd which attended the first day of the sale, particularly in the afternoon, but more than £2OOO worth of goods had been sold when selling stopped at 4 p.m.

A large area on the Cashel street side of the barracks was roped off fbr the sale, and the goods were displayed on trestle tables. A police constable was present to maintain order, but the crowd was goodhumoured, although slow to respond to the auctioneer’s call for bids. The auctioner, Mr R. S. Beadel, ana his staff, assisted by employees of J. Ballantyne and Company, stood on trestle tables above the heads of the crowd, and had few breaks from their task of selling the goods, handing them to the purchasers, and taking the money. Descriptions of the goods and their condition were given over a loudspeaker system during the sale by a member of the staff of J. Ballantyne and Company. First to be offered were handkerchiefs and scarves, many of which had suffered scarcely any damage. Woollen scarves at three for 7s found ready buyers, and 21s was paid for lots of three tartan scarves. Two dozen handkerchiefs went for 10s, and large sun umbrellas brought £1 each. Pink, blue, and green blankets brought from £1 to £3 a pair. Tailors did most of the bidding when the suit lengths and linings were offered, but the public gained a good share of those sold. Some of the suit lengths had been badly stained, but the quality of the unmarked lengths was described as good. Among prices paid for the lengths, each about 3i yards, were £2 10s for material of poorer quality, £4, £5, and £5 10s. Suit linings are in short supply at present, and tailors were the principal buyers, taking as much as 50 yards to 70 yards at £3 a bolt. Two tailors bought £2OO and £lOO worth of suitings and linings respectively, and a third paid £l4O for linings. Prices for vacuum cleaners of different makes ranged from £3 10s to £ll. Several without handles, described as being valued originally at £l6 16s. went for £3 10s, the electric motors apparently being in good condition. Higher prices jyere obtained for vacuum cleaners which were badly scorched on the outside, but said to have perfect motors. These were ticketed originally at £lB 10s, and six were sold for £lO each. Others brought £5 and £6. Incomplete machines went at £1 each after £2 10s had been asked for them. Bundles of English imported grey men’s socks—six pairs to a bundle—were started by the auctioneer at £l, but the best bid was 15s. Some persons bought several bundles at this price. Bundles of ties and braces sold at 2s 6d and Is 3d, and brand new plastic belts, originally priced at 5s 6d each, were sold at the rate of four for 6s.

Only a portion of the large quantity of goods was sold yesterday, and the sale will be continued to-day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Selling will continue to-morrow from 10 a.m. until everything is sold.