Auctioneers Lose Voices At Trentham Sales

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29108, 21 January 1960, Page 4

Auctioneers Lose Voices At Trentham Sales

(Hew Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Jan. 20.

The dust storm which swept through the Trentham stables on the first day of the national yearling sales yesterday took heavy toll of the two auctioneers, Messrs W. L. Paterson and D. B. Clarkson.

When they opened the second day proceedings this morning neither was in good voice. Mr Clarkson had to stop selling after offering a few lots, having almost lost his voice. Mr Paterson tried to carry on by himself, and did heroic work for about four hours of straight selling, but he, too, got into difficulty. It was hard work for the auctioneers in their effort to keep the sale up to the first day’s average, and when both were finally out of action Mr Gordon McCredie, of Christchurch, stepped into the breach. Most visitors to the sales thought the first emergency "was doing pretty well for an amateur.” What many were not

aware of was that Mr McCredie was one of the South Island’s most prominent stock auctioneers in his younger days, but he retired from active selling about 12 years ago. and now holds an executive post with Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., as head of the blood stock department. He is also a director of the firm.

Mr McCredie quickly impressed the attendance with his knowledge of the thoroughbreds, and his voice was as strong at the end of the day as when he started early in the afternoon session. He was paid a generous tribute by those present at the end of the day.