$105 buys Laws' plaque

Photo/File

A Wanganui District Council member has auctioned off another councillor's name plate, but is disappointed by the amount raised.

While the sale generated plenty of interest, the dollars did not follow the auction of Councillor Michael Laws' name plate by Councillor Ray Stevens on Trade Me.

Mr Stevens said he decided to auction the plate to contribute funds towards the estimated $40,000 cost of a byelection needed after Mr Laws resigned from the council.

Starting with a $1 reserve, the auction attracted about 35 bids and raised $105.

Mr Stevens said the auction was won by "John" from Wanganui. However, he will have to wait until after April 30 to collect the name plate because that's when Mr Laws' resignation becomes effective.

Mr Stevens said he was disappointed the auction raised only $105. "I thought there'd be more enthusiasm and that that enthusiasm would be translated into more dollars. But the market determines the prices for these things," he said.

The auction had started "with a hiss and a roar" but died down completely over its final few days, he said.

It generated plenty of comment on Trade Me, with more than 1220 page views, and around a dozen questions.

All councillors have a small gold-coloured name plate that sits in front of them during council meetings.

Mr Stevens said the money would go towards the cost of the byelection.