AUCTIONEERS' CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 383, 7 May 1910, Page 5

AUCTIONEERS' CONFERENCE

AN ALLEGATION REFUTED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston North, May 0. There was a ' very representative gathering of stock auctioneers in Palmerston yesterday, presided over by Mr. R. S. Abraham. The auctioneers present represented the associations of Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Taranaki aim Manawatu, and the West Coast, and they discussed matters of general interest. In regard to the mortality of stock, with a view to them being' dealt with in the Amending Bill to be introduced by the Minister for Justice this session, it; was decided to ask Mr. T. K. Macdcnald. M.L.C., to head ;\ deputation to the Minister to convey to him the views of the stock auctioneers upon the amendments, and suggested that a similar meeting of Wellington stock auctioneers be held there. Exception was taken to the allegations published by the New Zealand Times' correspondent from Taranaki regarding "trottirfg.'' It was denied that such a state of things as alleged existed, and pointed out that it was in the best interests of stock auctioneers to assure that "trotting" or any other practice which would not be calculated to ensure confidence should be prevented. In the evening there was a dinner at iho. Grand Hotel, .presided over by Mr. Abraham, at which Mr. John Stevens, of the original firm of Stevens and Gorton, was the chief guest, and gave most interesting reminiscences 01 the initiation of stock auctioneering on this coast. The late Colonel Gorton was also referred to eulogistically, and Mr. Abraham's services to farmers and'auctioneers were eulogised.