SELLING BY AUCTION

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27368, 5 June 1954, Page 9

SELLING BY AUCTION

CHRISTCHURCH FIRM’S EXPERIENCES

DONKEYS, AEROPLANES, AND SUNKEN CARGOES

Practically everything under the sun can k be sold “under the hammer." Donkeys, tram rails, aeroplanes, sunken cargoes—these are just a few

of the more unusual items that have been sold at auction by Smiths City Market, Ltd., in the 50 years the firm and its principals have been selling all manner of articles to the highest bidder. _ ,

At regular auctions, two or three times a week, on the firm’s premises in Colombo street and Dundas street, or at special auctions from North Otago to Marlborough, the West Coast to the Chatham Islands, a host of unusual items have been sold, and literally millions of items not so unusual.

There is more to auctioneering than a penetrating, persuasive voice. I Because of its wide experience and its highly specialised team of auctioneers, each with an intimate knowledge of different branches of the business, the firm may be called upon to conduct a clearing sale of implements and stock on a farm; to sell a property and all the furniture and effects it contains; to dispose of all manner of industrial machinery, or the stocks of a shop or warehouse. Or even, at its regular twice-weekly auctions or at special auctions on poultry farms, to sell any number of humble hens and chickens or their associates in the farmyard, ducks, turkeys, and geese. Ignorance is certainly not bliss in the auctioneering business and this is the reason each of. the auctioneers at Smiths City Market, Ltd., specialises in a particular section. Otherwise an article for which the owner is confidently expecting many pounds might be sold for a few shillings. It is because of this policy of maintaining a staff of auctioneers who keep abreast of the market values in a particular sphere that the firfh is widely recognised today as one of the best qualified in the South Island to conduct all manner of auctions. The practice of selling by auction is becoming increasingly popular. Both buyers and sellers prefer it because it means that the prices realised are an accurate representation of true market value. Large crowds always attend the auctions conducted by Smiths City Market, Ltd. On the firm’s premises there are three large auction rooms as well as open yards; and, at times, two or three different types of auctions are held concurrently. The widespread public interest ensures a continual selection of goods coming forward, and, too, ensures prices which are satisfactory to all parties. The general public, of course, is attracted to auctions by advertisements, but often steps are taken to draw special items to the attention of firms or individuals most likely to be interested in them. The buyers are satisfied at securing something needed at auction price; and the seller is satisfied because the price he receives is greater than it would have been if his goods were sold to an unresponsive, disinterested group of buyers. Few firms in New Zealand could equal the combined number of years’ experience of the auctioneering staff at Smiths City Market, Ltd. The Governing Director of the firm, Mr H. C. Smith, has had 50 years’ experience, covering all branches of auctioneering. Two others Directors of the firm, Mr D. R. Smith and Mr R. A. C. Smith, . have both been auctioneering for the

past 25 years; Mr A. Jones has had 50 years’ experience; and Mr P. Gormly, another member of the auctioneering staff, has had 25 years’ experience. Advt