THE CLOSING SCENES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11685, 29 April 1916, Page 9

THE CLOSING SCENES.

AT THE ART GALLERY. The various activities comprised in the Queen. Election were focussed this afternoon in the Art Gallery, where 1 partitions had been erected in the big \ room, and offices set up for each of the several queens. There was great activity and' bustle* during the, afternoon, tlie cheeking of the constantly increasing flood of receipts proceeding | steadily. | AUCTION OF CHAIE. < During the afternoon the very fine oak replica, of the Coronation Chsiir in Westminster .Abbey, bearing in its base a copy of tho celebrated stone upon which legend says that Jacob rested his head when he dreamed of tho angels ascending into heaven and descending, was offered at public auction, the auctioneer being jlr C. 10. Jones. The chair was made by Messrs A. J. White, Ltd.. to the order of the Land Agents' Section, Professions and. Commerce Group. After to-night's ceremony the names of donors of £5 or over will be inscribed on a. leather cushion attached to the back of tho chair, the names being picked out in various colours so as to form the New Zealand' ensign, i .Among the "bids for names" registered during the afternoon were the following: -O'<iddock. M'Crostie and Co.. £25. (No. o); Mrs K. TT. Banks, £25 (No. 4); A. K Craddock, £2o (No. 5); I>. J. Shea. £5 (No. 5). The auction of tho Coronation < hair was continued at a quarter to four, the understanding filing ihaf. every hid should represent a. donation, and that tho names of all who bid £5 or over should be inscribed' on the chair, j The following bids were* received: — I ])r J. C. Palmer. £lO. No. 3. j Colonel K. H. Rhodes £5 ss, No. 4. | JK. J. Ta-yler, £5, No.js. J Fetor Trolove, £5, No. 4. I On submitting the chair at auction ' for absolute disposal to the highest bid- ! der, the bidding started at £SO, and the cluiir was sold to Mr 0. I>. i Greenwood: (No. 6 Queen), for lOOgs. Tlie total amount realised by auction

sales in connection with the chair was £486. The chair v/as valued at £l5O, and is insured for £IOO. A condition of sale v/ns that the chair should he available for to-night's Coronation pa-' geant.