Sale of ponies

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 16

Sale of ponies

Sir, — we wish to thank Mr R. M. Bassett, who wrote on behalf of the Kirwee hack and pony sale auctioneers, for advising us of their intentions of future auctions. We would be interested to see if other horse and pony sale auctioneers intend to do the same. We feel it is a shame that people who wrote to the editor on this subject tended to lose track of the intention of our letters and concerned themselves as to whether unwanted horses should be sold to the meat buyers. Our intention was to point out that unsuspecting vendors were selling their stock at auctions to the pet meat buyers, and then finding out too late what had occurred. We feel that our letters have been worth while, as positive action has been taken and we wish to thank the auctioneers. — Yours, etc., (Mrs) GAYE RICHARDS, (Mrs) ROBYN NORRIE, Ohoka. July 12, 1980. Sir. — I started this controversial subject, “Sale of ponies.” I would like to thank “The Press” for taking the subject up. I would also like to thank R. M. Bassett (July 12), who in today’s paper answered on behalf of the auctioneers. I have achieved what I set out to do — to show that a set “upset price” will make it uneconomical for the pet meat dealer to operate at auction ring. We may have saved the lives of many ponies. — Yours, etc., SILAS DERETT, Sefton. July 12, 1980. [This correspondence is now closed. — Editor.]