READY SALE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26227, 10 August 1946, Page 8

READY SALE

UNCLAIMED LUGGAGE FORGETFUL TRAVELLERS RAILWAY AUCTION DAY Piles of goods ranging from bicycles to umbrellas, from ski sticks and walking sticks to umbrellas, from purses and handbags to bulging “mystery” sacks and “ swags ”, and a great array of other articles, found ready purchasers . at yesterday’s sale of unclaimed luggage held in a city auction rooms. This impressive assortment of goods was tangible evidence of the carelessness or forgetfulness of railway travellers in the Dunedin district. The sale lasted for some hours, attracting large crowds throughout the day. and many articles still in short supply through normal channels, such as suitcases, rues, etc., found plenty of purchasers willing to go even above to-day’s inflated secondhand prices. Quest for Bargains The great lure, no doubt, was the possibility that some of the seemingly unconsidered trifles would prove veritable bonanzas to the lucky purchasers, but though there were some undoubted bargains most of the goods appeared to change hands at prices that certainly would not have tempted an auction crowd in the days of plenty. “ Mystery ” parcels are an integral part of such sales as were held yesterday, but the majority of those who gambled on obtaining something for practically nothing soon discovered that it was certainly not a lucky Friday for them. A bag sold for a shilling or two. did produce a good' dividend for its purchaser, however, as it was found to contain four or five pairs of new socks. On the other > hand, the hopeful purchaser of a pair of trousers discovered that they were completely minus their seat. The Joke was naturally appreciated by all except the purchaser. • Umbrellas made up more than a quarter of, the lots on offer, and although a few of them looked as if they had encountered a hurricane at some time or another, there were several quality-looking articles disposed of, prices ranging from Is to 255. There was keen bidding for suitcases, and one, which drew an opening bid of ss, went to £2 10s. Travelling rugs also produced almost frenzied biddings, and these brought from £2 5s up to £6 15s. Another line that was easy to dispose of was gloves, bundles going from 2s to 7s. Jewellery Not Tempting *

Bicycles, considering their comparative scarcitychanged hands at moderate prices, the highest for a serviceable looking machine being £5. There was a fair offering of jewellery, but bidders were a little shy of most of the lines. Wristlet watches brought from 15s to £2 10s, and a gold chain found a purchaser ,at £2 ss. Fountain pens sold in pairs, realised from 6s to 12s each. Tennis rackets did not excite much enthusiasm amongst the crowd, these going for about 10s each The sale was conducted by Messrs Bray Bros., Ltd., on behalf of the New Zealand Railways Department.