PATRIOTIC SALE A SUCCESS

Southland Times, Issue 24573, 23 October 1941, Page 4

PATRIOTIC SALE A SUCCESS

VARIETY OF GOODS AUCTIONED Buying a bargain with the knowledge that the purchase price would go where it would do most good—to the Patriotic Fund—was a matter to which many persons in Invercargill yesterday devoted anything from a few minutes to two hours of their time. Into William Todd and Company’s Rialto, where the heralded patriotic auction took place in the afternoon, streamed hundreds of persons. When the sale was at its height there were 300 in the auction room. For anything useful or valuable they "were not slow to bid, and When the clerks added up the figures after it was all over they found that more than £5O had been raised. It was a co-operative effort. Articles of the most varied nature were presented by city and country residents and Todd’s gave their services free of all charges. Mr William Todd was the auctioneer. He was pleased with the result and it was mentioned that perhaps the sale would be the forerunner of others for the ORNAMENTS AND SUNDRIES Mr W. Grieve, chairman of the executive of the Provincial Patriotic Council, at the outset thanked the company for its co-operation and generosity. Mr Todd mounted the rostrum and the sale was on. He started on what were classed as ornaments and sundries. ’These ranged from vases and trinkets to inoa bones, albatross heads (mounted) and a water bottle from the South Seas. The curios were not in great demand. No one appeared to be much interested in the moa bones, although they were sound and suitable for exhibition. Southland’s leading authority on moa bone value:, Mr J. H. Sorensen, director of the Southland Museum, would have appreciated their worth. In this section a pair of beautiful silver candlesticks sold for £4 and an oldstyle coffee-pot of attractive design for £2/12/6. Furniture and produce comprised the bulk of the offering and competition for most of the lots was good. A brand new step-ladder made by a craftsman and bearing a note from a donor, “Best wishes for a successful sale,” went for £1; a bowl and pedestal for £3/1/-; a wardrobe for £5 and double bunks for £3/1/-. Bedsteads, a vacuum cleaner, and a doll’s pram were also included in the offering. Oats from a Mossburn farmer, poultry from the Ryal Bush Patriotic Committee, canaries, puppies, dressed fowls, homemade fruit pies and cakes, jam, rhubarb, parsnips, potatoes and mutton as well as other goods all sold at market prices. PROCEEDINGS ENJOYED There were many who came out of sheer curiosity and went away with an article or perhaps many. Some came for a few minutes, stopped, looked and listened and went on, and some stayed from 2 o’clock, when the sale opened till after 4 o’clock, when it closed. Nothing went for the proverbial “song,” but none who appreciated the nature of the sale expected that. It was plain to see that many were thoroughly enjoying the proceedings for the humour that auctioneers can inject into their work on the rostrum. Some were reminded of articles they had at home, superfluous to them, but still useful, which would sell well at such a sale.

Their opportunity will come. With the success that attended yesterday’s effort it is probable that more patriotic auctions will be held.