Star.
London, England, 1818-07-09 00:00:00

REPORT ON THE LAWS RELATING TO AUCTIONS.

The STarCT CONWITTEIC ::ppoiated to take into consideration the
Laws relating to Auctions, and to Report the same, with
their observations thereupon, to the house of Commons, have,
pursuant to the order of the House, considered the same ac-

eordingly, and have agreed to the following Report:
Your Committee have examined several tradesmen
and respectable Auctioneers, who are all of opinion
that great frauds on tI4 public are constantly com-
mitted, by the mode in which Sales by Auction are
conducted—that property is often sold under misre-
presentation as to ownership, under various pretences,
such as owners going abroad, merchants property in-
tended for exportation, and empty• houses are filled
with goods for the purpose—that articles of the most
inferior manufacture, made for the express purpose
of putting into sales, as the genuine property of
individuals of respectability : aed to such lengths
has this mode proceeded, that many Auctioneers,
who are in the practice of often vending such
articles, have, with a view to impose More suc-
cessfully upon the public, been detected in using
the names of several of the most respectable auc-
tioneers, varying the spelling by alteration of a le:-
ter ; and your Committee have had proofs that se •
veral of the respectable auctioneers, whose names
have been so assumed, have in several instances, in
justification to themselves, been compelled to appear
personally at such sales, to prohibit the same being
carried on in their names, knowing such was dune
with a view to impose on the public.
Your Committee find also that sales are made of
linen, describing the same as foreign, and the property
of Hamburgh and foreign merchants; also cutlery
wares and plated goods, in particular, of the MOTE
inferior manufacture, with London makers' names
thereon, publicly declared and sold as London manu-
facture ; and to such an extent as .o compel the Lon-
don makers to appear in the sale-rooms, and in person
expose the fraud attempted to be practised.
Your Committee also find, that great frauds and
' impositions have been praCtised in the sales of wine,
misrepresenting it as the property of individuals of
respectability ; and in short, there has been scarcely
an article which at auctions has not been grossly mis-
represented ;—that sales are often made without a:-
tending is the due order of the catalogue, and some•
times without any catalogue, and at others with the
same catalogue used for many days' sales ; and the
Committee in this investigation have ciscovered, that
ereat frauds have been committed upon the Ileveaue,
reasmuch as at times no sale has been returned, and
at other times less in amount returned than absolutely
sold ; and that various prosecutions have been from
time to time instituted by the Excise Board.
Your Committee have reason to suppose, that the
facility given to these sales,' by describing property
falsely as to ownership, affords ready means of sel-
ling goods dishonestly come by, and holds out the
means to the evil-disposed debtor to sell fraudulently
the creditor's property, to the great and serious injury
of the honest trader, raising money (as it is termed) by
any sacrifice of price.
That the inferiority of manufacture so sold and mis-
stated is of national injury, and your Committee have
had instances stated where an exporter has imme-
diately shipped the articles bought, vamped up for
the express purpose of deception, and which wts
discovered till opened, and no respiinsibility attach.
ing to the auctioneer, the buyers are left without
' remedy ; that while these daily sales exist without
check or controul, the regular manufacturers and
tradesmen are but little resorted to, and who, your
Committee submit (both buyer and seller), are entitled
to every protection ; by reason-1..t, that the taxes of
the country, and the poor, fall very heavy on the esta-
blished and fixed housekeeper, while the itinerant auc-
tioneer, as many travel from place to place, avoid
paying any taxes ; and, 2dly, that a proper responsi-
bility to the buyer resting with them for any imper-
fect or bad article sold, and on whose judgment acrd
credit the buyer very often places himself. Your
Committee consider these sales afford encouragement
to the manufacturers of inferior articles of almost
every description, and are ruinous., for the reasons be-
fore stated, to the honourable and honest tradesman,
creating a competition for lowness of price, in prek-
rence to exe ellence of quality, whereby the best work-
men are injured and thrown out of employ.
Your Committee have received information of da-
ring combinations, by a set of men uho attend real
sales, and drive, by various means, respectable pur-
chasers away, purchase at their own price, and after-
wards privately sell the same, under a form of public
auction, called " Knocked-out Sales." Your Com-
mittee have but shortly adverted to the substance.
of the evidence they have received; but enough,
they expect, to satisfy the House to make some altera
tI/ns) in the present. Session, which may prevent, in