Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 181, 18 December 1912, Page 5

Stratford News

From Our Resident Reporter. BIG PRICES FOR HIDES At Mr. Newton King's wool, skin, hide and- tallow sales held yesterday record prices were realised. There was a good attendance of buyers, and competition was very keen throughout. Fleece wool in bale lots realised up to 9y g d per lb, other lots to 10y 2 d. Firstclass butcher cow hides 9y 2 d to lOd, ordinary lines !)d to 9%d, ox 9d to 10% d, yearlings up to lOd per lb. Calfskins fetched extreme values, all Round lines selling at Is to Is 3d per lb. damaged lines up to Is o%d per lb. One of the buyers said lie thought lOd for hides was about a record price. A POPULAR "KNIGHT."

Mr. F. AY. Webster is a popular "knight of the hammer." Not only is he quick in his method of getting off "lots," snappy in his talk, and a past master in the art of tempting bids, but he has a keen intuition which enables him to discern in a very few minutes if there is "anything in the wind.'' Is there an understanding among the buyers to keep down prices, he seems to get right on to the scent of it, and, without letting a soul know of his discovery, he manages to spoil the little game and to break up the combination, resulting in the best prices for the vendors. He has all the other qualities, too, that make a successful auctioneer, and that is one big reason why Mr. Newton King's wool, skin and hide sales at Stratford have assumed colonial importance. Mr. Webster made his last appearance as auctioneer at these sales yesterday. But before the selling commenced he was made the recipient of a presentation from the buyers. Mr. A. McDonald, of Napier, representing Messrs. Michaelis, Hallenstein and Farquliar, of Dunedin, was the first speaker. He referred to the friendship existing between Mr. Webster and the firm's clients, and said he had known Mr. Webster personally for very many years. He regretted that Mr. Webster was leaving the firm, but trusted that the New Year would bring him a rush of health and happiness, whilst he also expressed the wish that some day Mr. Webster would return and once more take charge of those sales. He spoke of Mr. Webster as a man of conspicuous ability, tact and impartiality, and concluded by handing to liim a case of pipes, tobacco pouch and silver matchbox as a souvenir of their pleasant associations.

Mr. Webster's health was honored amidst "three times three" and bumpers. Mr. A. Christensen, Mayor of Patea, added his tribute, praising Mr. Webster as a wonderfully good business man, who had always given both buyers and sellers fair treatment, and his best services. He also praised the staff and Mr. Webster's handling of its members. He also extended a welcome to Mr. Abraham, the new manager. Mr. Webster had no "patter" at hand. He was quite taken aback by the present, and the good things said about him, but, with a ring of sincerity in his words he thanked the buyers for their presence and the speakers for their kind words and good wishes. He felt very proud, he said, that his efforts had been so appreciated by men of such wide and varied experience as the men behind this gift. At the same time, lie said, they must remember that he had always had yeoman assistance from a loyal and capable staff. Mr. Feira, his right-hand man, had been with him for fourteen years, and as for Mr. Harry Ashton, he was the best man in New Zealand for his job. Most of the firm's successes could fairly be attributed to the men who had worked under him. He then introduced his successor, Mr. Abraham, expressing the hope that he would have the same pleasant experience with the buyers as he (the speaker) had had. He added that he himself had been with Mr. Newton King for 20 years, and when he handed over the reins cu Monday he and Mr. King had parted as they had started good friends. (Applause.) Mr. Abraham, in acknowledging Mr. Christensen's words of welcome, and the applause' which had greeted his introduction, said he felt that he had a "hard row to hoe." in following in the footsteps of a man like Mr. ' Webster. He would not be brought into such close contact with the buyers as Mr. Webster had been, as he would not be doing the auctioneering himself, but he would always lie glad to welcome them anil chat over matters.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS Mr. '"Don" Cameron was presented l>y Mr. Newton King's staff last night with a cheque, on the eve of his marriage, j Mr. Carneon loaves for Wellington on Thursday, and will make one of his lightning dashes for the goal on Monday. Footballers, cheer him! Mr. F. W. Webster leaves for Wellington this morning. Mr. F. W. Webster, who has relinquished the managership of Mr. Newton King's Stratford business, is to bo entertained by his friends at a complimentary dinner in the Foresters' Hall on Saturday night. There promises to be a very large and representative gathering. The gnest lias been associated with Mr. King's business for twentysix years, and in that time has made hosts of friends. Mr. J. McCluggage is acting as secretary to the committee in charge of the function, and asks us to state that should anyone have been omitted in the issue of"tickets he will ')<• glad to supply the want on application; or any old friend of Mr. Webster will be welcomed, card or no card. A handy wall calendar and pocketbook liave reached us from Mr. W. B. Fearon, agent for the Phoenix Fire Of- | fice. Messrs. McCluggage & Co., agents for the Commercial Insurance Company, forward a wall calendar for 1913. BUSINESS NOTICES. A whole row of prettily-iced and decorated takes, and every one sold! Mr. Elder is doing a bigger' Christmas trade this year than ever. The cake is good, the icing good and well done, and the Christmas mottoes in dainty and exclusive designs. Orders are' still being booked.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE The programme at present showing at His .Majesty's Theatre contains several star films. "The Insurgent, Senator" is a very powerful drama, ami is remarkable alike for the magnificence of the acting and the dramatic qualities of the story. "A Trip to Bermuda" is certainly a unique film. Magnificent scenery is shown, and at the same time a. little group of American actors, introducing half a dozen love affairs, made to the enjoyment of a delightful picture. "Palace of Versailles" and "Constantinople" are both true seenics of the best quality, while "With the Enemy's Help" features the charming little biograph actress, Miss Dorothy Nicholson, in quite a new role. The "Bank President's Son" includes a horse race on a snow field, and the detection of an embezzler is the main theme in a good story. Several comics are screened.