Salvage From Wiltshire.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1922, Page 4

Salvage From Wiltshire.

'‘' -. a <•--* GOOD PRICES AT AUCTION. AUCKLAND, Aug. 10 Great interest was'taken in the sale bv public auction of some 20(1 tons of cargo salved from the wreck of tlie Wiltshire. Tile auction was conducted , in one of tlie Harbour Board’s sheds on , the King’s Wharf, wfiere hundreds of buyers and interested spectators assembled. Some of the goods ofturod for sale were in practically new condition, having been taken from the steamer’s holds undamaged. Otlicr lines showed evidences of slight damage bv spray, while a quantity of the ; Wiltshire’s littings would be classed as < second-hand. The prices realised for a majority of the goods were runarkaljly high, keen .bidding, principally hv merchants, carrying prices in many in- . stances almost up lb the level, ol current retail quotations. Import duties played an important part in the sale, and a number of Customs officers were fully employed answering the constantly repeated enquiry, "What is the duty-'” A good deal of curiosity was displayed in tlie auctioning of n’n upright Broadwood piano from tin- M iltshire’s saloon. .The auctioneer's .statement that it would cost £3OO to buy it in a shop was greeted with much incredulous laughter, and bidding started at toO, with a quick jump to £O3, to a softly played accompaniment which strangely harmonised with the

spoken cadences of the auctioneer, and gave the scene the appearance of a stage set for a musical revue. Tile instrument was knocked down at £BO, plus a. 20 pel- cent Customs duty, Ship’s fittings formed a large proportion of the articles offered. Armchairs and settees in red coverings gave ail air of comfort to the drab interior of the wharf shed, and afforded restful relief to many women, who found tin; hours of waiting somewhat tiresome. Good bargains were made in spirits, wines, and tobacco. Whisky sold at about £3 a case, on which 100 per cent duty had to be paid. In draught, the spirit fetched approximately 30s a gallon, the duty amounting to about 335. The greater part of the spirits offered was bought up by one dealer, though, a certain proportion was disposed of in small quantities. Small quantities of champagne realised less than half its current retail price, fetching between 10s and 11s per bottle, duty paid. Out elated purchaser secured a case at tin rate of 8s per 'bottle, which would probably cost him 25s to buy in th< ordinary way. Old wines, worth 30s l bottle, sold for 10s Gd a bottle, plus 5i duty. Tobacco at present Costs 18s pei down tins containing IP,ox, went to th. highest bidder for 3s Gd per dozen plus Gs Id duty. The other lines disposed of were o great variety. Twelve English ]>orce lain baths, with fittings apparent!: quite undamaged, met with keen com

petition, and bidding went up to £8 10ft each, plus about £1 10s duty, j Bales of calico were sold at £4O, and j bales of coloured wool at £2O eaeli. Forty electric irons, on which tiiero was 20 per cent to be paid, were sold briskly, and severed sets of the “History of the Great War,” in nine volumes, were obtained, probably by souvenir hunters, for £5 per set.