By Juanita Copeland
A Southland auction house is to have its last regular auction after 146 years.
William Todd and Co's weekly auctions are a social and commercial institution in Invercargill, but with online auction sites growing and semi-retirement looming for the company's owner, it's time to call for last bids.
Bill Todd and his hammer have sold millions of dollars worth of items over the 40 years they've worked together.
Tools, machinery, livestock, antiques and even a coffin – the auction house has been calling for bids for 146 years.
"Some things we've sold two and three times over in my time here, and every day you do your best for the vendor and that's what we do," says Mr Todd.
Founded in 1865, the Don St auction house is about to have its last sale, bringing the hammer down on a regular outing for locals.
"Looks like I'll just be staying at home," says Howard Service, "but it's good entertainment to come here and catch up with all your friends."
"There wouldn't be many Fridays I've missed in 25 years," says Fred Perwick.
Christchurch-based antique dealer Deric Blackler went to Mr Todd's auctions as a child.
"The first antiques that came into our house, my father bought them at Todd's, and that's you know, got me interested and the first ones I ever bought were at Todd's."
But over the years attendance at the weekly auction keeps dropping.
"I think TradeMe serves a lot of the second hand market and it's just sad to see it go really," says Derek Ballantine.
Mr Todd says he's never looked at the site.
"Still, people want the hands-on, what they're buying action," he says. "I've heard more complaints about TradeMe purchases than I've had good luck stories."
Mr Todd's regulars say they'll be sad to see the last weekly auction in June, but some are sadder still that for the first time in 50 years they'll have nothing to do on a Friday morning.
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