A SENSATION'S AFTERMATH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14526, 18 May 1909, Page 6

A SENSATION'S AFTERMATH.

SALE OF ROCK "RELICS."

'.IV adhesiveness of the trail laid by Amy Bock across (ho usually unretenlive liokl ct popular intrn-t was apparent \tstetday afternoon, when the relics of that tomcdy ai tho Xuggois wove put. to the hammer. Messrs ,1. Samson and C'o.'s auction rooms were eroded even in the morning, am! after 1 o'clock, when the ialc commenced. were packed to suffocation, wliiio anther contingent of would-be speclaiois swarmed at ilie entrance in Dowliii" Street.

It ivas truly a wonderful crowd: Old folks hobbling oil sticks; little folks lcsing theiiif.elve* amid a. forest of legs: women, young, old, middle-aged, and otherwise women with babies, winged hats, and overwrought expressions. An observant spectator would seldom sec the same face twice, for crowd relieved crowd 1 , earnest ami intent, and wholly fascinated. retninisceni of (lie pictures one sses of an execution at Newgate. Well might a visitor impure what it- was all about, this rushing logelher of refined multitudes, iiiis crushing and squeezing, this great press of ihe people.

The "eli'ects" were displayed in a corner willi an eye to ariisi.ry. There were tbo cake. Hie travelling-bags, dressing-cases, the silver-backed brush'.s, gifts from the "bridegroom.'' The presents were all laid cut: even Ihe clothes were there.

The things were costly ami handsome enough, but an atmosphere or meanness was over (hem all, and (hey lay bizarre and pathetic symbols of a cruel sacrilege before ;i crowd packcd from wall to wall devouring them with hungry eyes, tittering and applauding as I,lie bids rose shilling by shilling. Truly it was a wonderful crowd, even to those on its oul-skirls, who climbed np_ the walls, and balanced on beikteads arid' lofty furniture. •

Tbo auctioneer wrought with his usual dexterity, and bidding was brisk among the select few there to purchase. Many of the articles wero bought as curious, but that (lie practical clement was not wanting may be gathered from tho fact of a set of unroniantic fiat irons {presumably a wedding gift) -being sold for lCs 6d. Tiro wedding ring was knocked down for £2 Us: the adventure.sses's silver ckaretie case brought 14s 6d, and the fountain pen, put to such liase uses, went for 16s. There were rings, bangles, pendants, charms, a.nd chains, .but one cf t.he most pathetic items was a greenstone heart, mounted in gold, which brought £2 10s 6d. A aiit case was sold for £1. Another suit ca.se, inscribed "P. C. Red's ood," was sold for £1 17s. Ar oak tray went for 15s. An engagement ring set witli fiw stories was sold for £1?. 10s; ad rcss ring rfudded with diamonds and rubies wnnt. for £5 15s; a solid gold bangle for £3 ss, and another bangle for £4; a pearl brooch was sold for £2 7s 6d.