A Flag Sold.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 227, 4 September 1914, Page 2

A Flag Sold.

INTERESTING AUCTION

CHKISTCHURCU. Tue.day

At the Theatre Royal on Saturday night a largi silk Union Jack wax fold by auction on behalf of the Mayor'* Patriotic Fund. The (lag was male by a local linn and donated to the funl, and the sale

was carried out from the stage l-y a local auctioneer, with Mr Harry Lauder as i.ssisant auctioneer, and a spirited bidder. To make the flag more valuable the signatures of a number of leading public man in the Dominion were placed on it, including those of Lord Liverpool, Sir Alex. Godley, the Rt Hon, W. F. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, and the members of the Cabinet, Mr Justice DennUtw, BisVop Julius unl Bishop Grimes.

Mr Lauder spoke to the audience, "This (lag," he raid, "has never known defeat. (Cheers). We have run away at timis (laughter), but we have come back and won what we had lost. This is u unique emblem of a unique occasion. And it is not to be expected that we all •hall meet together again. I believe that this war is the greatest that history will ever know, and it means that the British Empire has gone into the conflict determined to do sometbirg that will settle the peace of the world during our time and the time of our children. By bidding for this llag vou arc helping the Empire, and it should be cherished in r?cn|lcctiou of this solemn time." (Cheerf).

Bidding started immediately after! wards, tui guineas being offered,' Two additions of t»n guineas came almost at oice, and then in a brief pa'ise Mr Lauder raised the price ti 50 guineas. Again there was a brief pause, and then a bill of (>0 guineas came from the stalls, Mr Lauder told the audience that the flag shuald be bought to adorn the wall) of some club in the city. This advice was followe.l alter an interval by <i further bid of ten guineas, aoc< then the bidding ceased. Mr Lauder said that ho intended to take the dig back ti Scotland if he got it, and he raised his bid to 10U guineas, at which figure, despite the apueals of the auctioneer nut to let the Hag go out of the Dominion, the emblem was knocked down, amidst cheers.

The singing of the National Anthem followed the completion of the sale. Now a movement Is afoot to buy the flag back. Mr Lauder says tha price is now £2OO. A fund has started to repurchusu it, and u good sum is already in band.