A MYSTERY SALE.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15868, 5 April 1917, Page 3

A MYSTERY SALE.

UNCLAIMED ARTICLES |" AUCTIONED. One of tlie periodical auction 6ales by the Polico Department of unclaimed (goods whs lield yesterday, Messrs Tonks, Norton and Co. being the auctioneers. There was a largo . attendance of t-lio public, the articles offered were wide and varied, and biding was occasionally keen. There was a big conglomeration of bicycles, some extremely serviceable-looking, others fit only for the old iron yard. Some new motor and bicycle tyres were offered, and brought fair prices, and there was spirited bidding for bicycle lamps, one a "bobby-dodger," bringing as much as, if not more than, a new one of its kind would sell for in the shops. There was an assortment of jewellery, some of it good, much of it of doubtful appearance. Overcoats, other articles of clothing, brief bags, and swags wero also offered. There were s~everal mystery offered, the contents of which were not disclos<xl, the result being to bring forward a number of speculators. ' Some of them may have been satisfied with their bargains, but a soldier who invested in ono w-ns not. He and a lady competed keenly for an ancient-looking clothes basket, which, when shaken - by the auctioneer, produced a rattle suggestivo of broken glass. The soldier and the lady grow Quite excited, and bid against one another rapidly, being warmly encouraged by the auctioneer. Finally the lot was knocked down to the soldier for four shillings, and the next minute ho convulsed the spectators by indignantly stating frequently that he had been had.