Two Dresses.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 10 November 1891, Page 2

Two Dresses.

Here is a curious history of the two dresses, as told by the Pall Mall Gazette : — -For months they remained stored in a packing-case at the Custom House in New York. They had come all the way from Paris, and were marvels of whattailorcraft could do. The consignee was Mrs Astor, whose husband is worth millions, and who dresses as the wife of millionaire may be supposed to dress. The Parisian milliner, acting in his own interest, declared the value at 500 f, and the New York Custom House officer — probably a married man — declared that that was not anything like the value. The lady refused to supplement the deh'ciences of her dressmaker. She had paid him for the dresses, and it was a matter between him a.id the Custom House authorities. Ho the case stood — with the dresses in it. The New York Custom House senms to have, very little red tape in its administration. For it decided that, as the dresses would rapidly go out of iashion, the best plan was to sell them by auction. It was a great event, evil New York was interested to see them, and to see what they would fetch. The auction room was crowded. and competition koeu. One dress was knocked down for £128, the other for i'lf>2. The names of purchasers are not given, but if they are a secret they will not long remain