VENDOR'S SACRIFICE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 79, 1 October 1945, Page 6

VENDOR'S SACRIFICE

HOME FOR EX-SERVICEMAN

In order to give preference to a returned serviceman purchaser, _ £750 was sacrificed at a property auction in Auckland on Friday. The vendor was Mrs. E. C. West, of 9 Tarawera Terrace, St. Heliers Bay, who was disposing of her home of five electrically-equipped rooms and sunporches, basement, garage, and laundry on half an acre of freehold land laid out as a productive orchard and nursery. There was also accommodation for 100 fowls. When, on the death of her husband a short time ago, Mrs. West decided to sell the property, she was approached by many private purchasers, including a number who suggested ways by which the Land Sales Act might be circumvented. Her view, however, was that the property would meet the need of a returned serviceman; and she decided to offer it at auction on certain conditions. When the conditions were announced at the sale, there was a chorus of approval from the attendance of about 100. The bidding started at £2000 and rose to £3750. The\ bidders were then given a form' on which they ; were asked to give the amount of their bid, particulars of service in the First or Second World War, other house property owned by them, the number of their family, and how many of them or other dependants would live with the purchaser in the home. Thirteen of the forms were returned and from them a selection was made of a man who has served for over five years in the war and whose bid was £3000, or £750 below the highest offer. Expressing his thanks for the consideration shown him, the purchaser said: "Now I know there are still decent people in the world." The Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr. Skinner, has also taken .an interest in the sale. Writing to the auctioneers, he said that if more people would adopt the same principle the work of the Rehabilitation Department would be greatly eased.