WILTSHIRE'S CARGO

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 42, 18 August 1922, Page 7

WILTSHIRE'S CARGO

BARGAINS AT SALVAGE SALE

(IT TMOIIAFH.—mCLU TO Tit POST) ( AUCKLAND, Th» Day. Lively -interest was taken on Wednesday and yesterday m the sale by auction of about 200 tons of cargo, salved from the wreck of th« Wiltshire. The prices realised for most of the good* were remarkably high, as keen bidding, principally by merchants, earned ths prices in many instances almost up 16 the level of current retail quotation* The impoirt duties play^ed an important part m the sala, and a number of Custom* officers were fully employed ii answering the constantly repeated inquiry . "What is the Duty'" Considerable curiosity was displayed over th« auctioning of an upright Broadwood piano from the saloon of th«, Wiltshire. The auctioneer's statement that it would, cost £300 to buy it in a shop was greeted with much incredulous laughter, and bidding started at £50. The instrument was knocked down at £80 plus 30 per cent. duty. ' Good bargain* were made in spirits, wines, and tobacco. Whi«ky sold *t about £3 a caw, to which 100 p*r cent duty had to bo added In draught, spirit fetched approximately 30s a gallon, the duty amounting to about 36s The greater part of th« spirits offered was bought up by one dealer A small quantity of champagne reahs*d lesa than half its current retail priqe, fetching between 10s and 11b per boltto, duty paid Ohe elated purchaser secured a case at 8s per bottle, Which it would probably cost him 25s to buy in the ordinary, way., Tobacco, which.at pre sent costs! 8s per dbren tins containing ljoz, went to the highest, bidder for 3s 6d per doen, plus 6s 4d duty.