Record bid for lucky’ number

Press, 4 August 1983, Page 19

Record bid for lucky’ number

PA Hong Kong A Hong Kong millionaire broke a world record by bidding $HK1,030,000 (about $NZ223,400) to acquire the right to use car registration plate No. 3. The car of the Police Commissioner, Mr Roy Henry, has the eyecatching No. 1 plate, with Hong pong’s Financial) Secretary to Minister of Finance or Treasury Head) sporting No. 2.

The Transport Department has auctioned off exclusive numbers for charity since 1973. The previous record amount for a number plate was also paid in Hong Kong when a film tycoon, Sir Run Run Shaw, spent $HK330,000 (1NZ71.740) acquiring No. 6 in 1978. The proud new owner of No. 3, Mr Cheng Kujg-Size, president of the Say Waft Estate Company,

fought an intense bid battle with a funeral parlour magnate, Mr Siu Ming, as his main competitor. When Mr Siu’s representative bid SHKI million, all eyes turned to Mr Cheng, who raised his hand and — smiling — called SHKI,OOI,OOO, a move received with applause. The battle ended with the record $HK1,030,000. 7? Mr Cheng said he was glad to do

something for charity and to “buy something I like.” The lucky No. 3 — which sounds similar in Cantonese to the words “alive” and “growing,” was described as “historic” by Mr Cheng, .who refused to elaborate. The millionaire also would not disclose which car would bear the lucky number. However, itss considered unlikely to be a Mini.