The Victoria Park New Year Fair market stalls auction attracted crowds of bidders yesterday despite the poor results on the first day.
Rents of market stalls for wet goods were down by nearly 30 per cent compared with last year's record because of the lack of competition between tangerine tree farmers and dealers.
But some flower farmers were still not happy with the cheaper prices and allegedly tried to persuade other bidders not to place bids so that rents of their favourite stalls would not be boosted on the first day of the auction.
Senior Superintendent Tsang Tak-shing said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department had said prices were not its major concern and its duty was to make sure the auction was fairly carried out.
'Police officers and some Wan Chai district councillors are present at the auction venue to supervise the event.
'Anyone who attempts to affect other bidders will be warned or removed from the venue,' Mr Tsang said.
'But no evidence has shown that anyone has taken any illegal action.'