FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15899, 23 April 1915, Page 5

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM.

GOODS LEFT IN TRAMS. . HIGH PRICES' REALISED. MANY EAGER BUYERS. Bargain - hunters assembled in largo numbers yesterday, when Messrs. Walker and Coakley, on behalf of the Auckland Tramways Company, disposed of a largo accumulation of articles left by forgetful people in the trams. The diversity of the forgotten articles was remarkable, and the onlooker was inclined to wonder how some of them could ever have been left behind. Hand - bags, brief - bar,, " carry - alls," purses, walking-sticks, umbrellas, etc., would be easily forgotten, but how passengers could leave shoes, iron from bed. steads, etc., is not quite so clear. Buyers were there in hundreds, and they crowded the auction rooms long before the sale commenced. Most of the buyers were eager for bargains. For three hours they competed with each other, and forced up the prices of innumerable articles. Interspersed among those present were a few dealers, but they made their presence felt chiefly in the purchase of old clothes of all descriptions. Their aid was not particularly needed in this respect, as buyers were competing vigorously for second-hand clothing. At such sales in the Old Country, dealers acquire large numbers of old umbrellas, but that 'form of activity was not in particular evidence yesterday.

There must have been at least 750 umbrellas in the collection. Ninety per cent, of that number were ladies' umbrellas. Perhaps it is an open question as to whether the ladies are more absentminded than men. There was only one bundle of parasols—half-a-dozen at most— which was disposed of for 4s 6(1. Competition was particularly keen for the umbrellas, which were sold in bundles of six and twelve. The earlier offerings fetched £1 3s with ease, and as the afternoon wore on prices dropped to 17s, 15s, 13s, 12s 6d, and as low as 6s and 7s. The purchases at all figures unquestionably secured bargains. Th'e offerings included bags of tools, baskets,'spades, iron, paper, milk pails, and immense quantities of old clothes, from babies' caps to underwear and overcoats. Men's overcoats sold quickly at from 5s to 10s.

The auctioneer had no need to urge the value of his wares. Sometimes people disputed as to possession of articles, and even offered more money. "Put it up again," declared the auctioneer. "That is the law." No one yearned for the law; there was plenty of everything, and all wants were satisfied. " Here is a bag of mysteries," said the auctioneer's assistant. The "mysteries" turned out to bo old clothes, and were quickly converted into cash. A dozen or more gloves were offered in a bundle. The bundle was disposed of for 3s 6d. . Handbags sold promptly at 3s and 4s per bundle of three. "I don't want any threepenny bids." cried the auctioneer to a lady who sought a few handbags at a moderate price. Sixpenny and higher bids came quickly. People seemed to be provided with plenty of money, and came . prepared to spend it.