“DUKE’S FURNITURE”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10376, 6 April 1927, Page 5

“DUKE’S FURNITURE”

GOOD PRICES AT AUCTION

BRISK BIDDING IN DUNEDIN

COSY AIATTRESS REALISES £8

The house furnishings used by the Duke of York during liis visit to Dunedin were sold by auction in that city last week. The saleroom was packed with bidders and others. The bidding, generally speaking, was brisk- and, judging hy the prices given for some of the lots, says the Dunedin Star, money is not so scarce in Dunedin as is sometimes represented. The privilege of having in one’s bedroom or sitting room something upon which the Duke lias lain,, or trodden, or had handled, or even just looked upon, was apparently deemed to be worth paying for. The goods, of course, were all of the best quality, and practically new, for three days' use could scarcely have depreciated them in value.

Eight pairs of blankets were first offered, and for the*privilege of snuggling under and being made warm hy the very same woollen coverings that had kept the cold from the body ot the Royal visitor, buyers paid £2 8s a pair for each of the eight pairs, which were of large size. , It . was a question of faith, really, for it cannot be said that the Dunedin weather was so cold that all eight pairs w'ere needed by the Duke on the three nights of his stay. “The Duke’s mattress,” a cosy thing of wool and wire, was most eagerly competed for, and was knocked down for" £B. AVindow curtains brought from £2 to £2 l-5s a pair, eiderdown quilts from £5 to £6 17s 6d each; floor rugs £1 to 30s. A fine super-Axminister carpet, 13ft 6in by lift 3in hrought £3O, anti a smaller square £2l. . ' Smaller things brought good prices, and the Public AVorks Department was doubtless satisfied with the net result of the sale.