AUCTIONEERS' CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 811, 7 May 1910, Page 6

AUCTIONEERS' CONFERENCE.

'AT PALMERSTON. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.] • Palmerston North, May 6. There • was a very representative gathering of stock' auctioneers in Palmerston yesterday, the gathering being presided over by Mr. E. S. Abraham. Those present represented the associations of Hawke'B Bay, Wairarapa, Taranaki, and Manawatu, and West Coast, and they discussed matters of general interest in regard to tbo mor- ■ tality of stock, with a view to these .being dealt with in tho amending Bill 'which is to be introduced this session. • It was decided to ask Mr. T. K. iMacDonald, M.L.C., to head a deputation to the. Minister to convey to him the views of stock auctioneers upon the amendments suggested, and that a similar meeting of Wellington stock auctioneers be. held.. Exception was taken to oertain allegations published by the "New Zealand Times" correspondent from Taranaki, and it ,was denied that such a state of things,' as alleged, existed. .It was pointed out that it was in tho besj iuterests of stock auctioneers to assume that a practice, which, would not bo calculated- to ensure confidence, should bo prevented. .' \ In the evening there was a' dinner at the Grand Hotel, presided ovev by Mr Abraham. At,this function Mr. John Stevens, of tho original firm of Stevens and Gorton, was chief guest, and gavo some interesting reminiscences of the initiation of stock auctioneering on this coast. The late Colonel Gorton was also referred to in eulogistic terms, and also the services of.Mr. Abraham to fanners and auctioneers.