"THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP"

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 October 1910, Page 5

"THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP"

SALE.OF LEFT LUGGAGE. A casual visitor to the rooms of Messrs G. W. Moss and Co. this morning would suppose that the firm had opened a second-hand shop on a small scale. A vast array of parcels, umbrellas, hats, coats, portmanteaux, and other articles too numerous to mention were laid out, and a number of bargain hunters of both .••exes were on the scene at an early hour, endeavouring to pick out the most likely 'mips." The motto of "mustn't touch" was, however, rigidly enforced, so that all started bidding "on "an equal footing. Mr,' Moss, who was in excellent torm. •welcomed the many patrons of the "Old Curiosity Shop," which was open for its Mirfeal sale. He quickly got to work, an* bidding became brisk. A paper parcel'brought an offer of 3d. Tiis Mr Moss indignantly rejected, and tie article after hanginc fire for a little Vos finally disposed of for 1/-. An umirella that had already seen much service ,vas then put up for sale. A cry from a would-be purchaser for the umbrella to to opened up, brougnt forth the quick retort of the auctioneer that he was sorry that it did not go up. Not deterred by this a purchaser was quickly found at a bob. About three-fourths of the articles offered for sale were umbrellas, and this is surely a sign that the Coast climate is not so bad as it is painted. If the rain is always falling as it is made out to he, how is" it that passengers in the trans so frequently leave behind this important article? All the lots offered found ready purchasers, and the ladies of Greymouth should hot be short of gamps for some time to come. Some of the articles purchased wouldn ot afford much protection from either wind or rain M\d were evidently purchased for the purpose of lending to friends. Sunshades 0? all shapes and colours averaged about bj-oach., A great variety of wearing apparel was offered in lots to suit the purchaser. The rauidity with which some of the goods were knocked down would lead one to believe that the auctioneer was afraid that the bidder might change his mind if given a chance for second thou slits. A fur, resembling the coat of a mangy <-at/ was held gingerly uti by the auct"> i ear's assistant. "This is fur that will go /no further" was Mr Moss's comment. 7\ horror-struck onlooker, afraid that the auctioneer might perpetrate another pun, promptly offered a "bob"' and got the fir and the auctioneer's blessing. A hat An and an umbrella, two handy weapons v>r attack or defence, were disposed of A great quantity of head covering is evidently left behind by passengers m our trains. Ladies seem to be the worst offenders in this respect. Mr Moss had some weird specimens of head wear to offer. One lady's hav that _ resembled a f.ying pan was eumphemistically described by the auctioneer as a "Mei-y Widow" hat. After viewing the article a. mere man remarked that he was not •surprised that the owner had been a widow, but he could not understand why pile was merry. Eidders were scarce, no a fur was added and the two were disposed of for a "bob." A pipe, a parcel of collars and an umbrella, realised 2/-. \nything in the shane of a swag or a rtortmanteau made biddmg very brisk, th~ "sporting instinct" which our paternal Government is displaying, so much zeal to eradicate, beio" very much in ■evidence. A canvas bar* brought 6/-. a ywag 8/-, a portmanteau 8/-, a hamper 8/and a valise 14/-. • < ' Oilskins were plentiful and brought prices ranting from 2/- to 4/6. A (gentleman bought a likely looking.parcel for 41- and found himself the proud nossessor of a pair of W.B.'s. Boots of all shapes, sizes and conditions were snapped up THadily. On the whole the sale was a most successful one, and was thoroughly enjoyed by auctioneer, buyers and lookers <-n Great merriment was occasioned by the looks of some of the purchasers when they opened up their "lucky bags." So far as we «an ascertain nothing of any great value was contained in the swags and bags that were bought.