AT PER PIECE OR THE LOT?

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1932, Page 2

AT PER PIECE OR THE LOT?

THREE CHAIRS SOLD AT AUCTION.

BIDDER FAILS TO CONVINCE COURT

Claiming tfhat three oak cihairs had ibeen sold to him at I'Os. the let, and not „ + 10s each. John Helman Polson disputed a claim for £1 10s. brought against him in the New Plinth Magistrate’s Court yesterday by Webster Bros., auctioneers. He failed to satisfy the Court and was ordered to nav the amount, plus 12s. costs. The chairs were “knocked down at 10s. each, said counsel, but after the sale Polson claimed that he had bid for the three at 10s. However, later on he was satisfied about the matter, but said that he could not pay for them then, and would uplift them shortly afterwards. Polson: I say I did not (buy the chairs, did not pay for them, and do not Want them. ~ ~ Leslie B. Weibster, auctioneer, said the sale was held on February 3. He always sold cliarrs at per piece. When the position was explained to him later Polson s'aid he had not enough money to pay for everything. He would pay for some mattresses he had 'bought and -would call again to pay for the chairs. •Subsequently witness wrote to him, but the next he saw of Polson was last Monday, when he called and used some impolite language. “There is an increasing tendency for people at sales to do this sort of thing and then leave the articles on our hands,” said Webster. “Usually the amount involved is so small that it is hardly worth while taking Court proceeding. Other auctioneers confirm this.” ° He expiainecl to the magistrate that the vendor of the chairs had 'been paid a week after the sale. Webster was questioned by Polson. “I want you to produce these chairs in Court,” said Polson. Witness said they oould be produced, if necessary. Polson: I do not think they are worth 10s. each, and I do not think any man or woman would pay that for them. Bidding started at 6s. for the chairs and Polson called 10s., said Weibster to the court. He had prefaced their auction by saying “Apiece for the chains??” Polson denied he had received a letter from Webster. The morning after the sale he went to the auction room and took delivery of the mattresses, but was told the chairs were 10s. apiece. They were in a damaged condition. Cross-examined, he said he was sure his was the only bid. If the magistrate would adjourn the matter until to-mor-row he could bring four witnesses to say that his w'as the only ibid. Mr. Tate: But you should have had them here to-day. Polson: I had no time; I have been working. Mr. Tate: Do you often go to auctions?—No, sir. About three times in 20 years. Mr. Tate: I thought so.

The situation was that a sale was complete when a bid was accepted, continued th© magistrate. Even if the articles were not as good as he had thought, the bidder had to pay for them. The auctioneer had to pay the vendor. It would take very strong evidence to show the chairs were not sold at Ms. apiece. It had been proved to the Court’s satisfaction that Polson had bought them at that price, and he would have to pay. “Teople have to realise that they cannot buy things and then leave them on the auctioneer’s hands without,paying for them,” concluded Mr. Tate. “When the bid is accepted the sal© is complete.”