GUBERNATORIAL SALE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7025, 13 January 1910, Page 6

GUBERNATORIAL SALE

HIS EXCELLENCY'S STABLE ' GOOD PRICES GENERALLY FOR • .HORSES AND VEHICLES. It was a very - mixed crowd that gathered around tho Government House stables yesterday afternoon, tho occasion being a sale by auction of the entire contents of Lord Plunkefs stables. Amongst those present were cab and express proprietors, stablemen, horse dealers, second-hand dealers, cabdrivers, bookmakers, and not a few private individuals. Taken generally, the sale was a success, despite tho fact that a chestnut mare and a victoria were passed in, ■Mr C. 11. Watorficld. his, Excellency's private secretary, cpnsidering the bidding not high enough. _ Hr A. F. York, of tho firm of Barraud, York and Co., was the auctioneer. H<3 stated at tho, outset that there was: no reserve. Everything had been .well kept, and was in a very saleable condition. Four horses,-one -landau, one victoria and one waggonette wore offered,, in, addition to harness, saddles, rugs and the hundred: and one other things that go to coni-p an up-to-date stable. FAST AND EDUCATED. The first lot offered was a grey polo pony, 14.2 hands, described in the sale' list as “ fast and educated.” Despite' its twelve years, the pony was in splendid condition, and to use the words of the auctioneer, “could turn on a cabbage leaf.” It was some* time before the bidding commenced, buyers declining to ©how any keenness. “She's full of muscle and beauty,” shouted the auctioneer. “Look at her sinews, they'ro like whipcord,” and as the groom trode the pony up and down the grounds the seller made a strenuous- endeavour to get a start at <£2o. A timid “fiver” came from amongst the crowd, followed by “six.” but this did not suit the auctioneer, and finally somebody offered .£lO. This bid hung fire for a time and the pony was finally knocked down for ten guineas. " PRINCE,” " DULLER ” AND “PEGGIE”. “Prince,” a chestnut gelding, 15.3 hands, stated to.have a nice action and very quiet to ride and drive, received much more attention than the grey pony. He was a fine-looking horse, cloven years of age. Bidding started at £ 2O , and by one- pound “ nods ” went up to £32 in no time. This was about all tho buyers scorned prepared to give, and tho auctioneer had a hard task to get two additional ton shilling bids, the gelding being finally knocked down for .£33. “Buller,” a similar looking chestnut gelding, 15.31- hands, described as “a, beautiful mover, and quiet in single or double harness, - ” did not move nearly so briskly in the bidding line as “Prince/ the initial offer cf £2O- onlyadvancing to £24, for which price he was ©old. Next came “ Peggie,” a perfectly broken mare, 15.21 hands, used to single and double harness. Peggie showed herself to fine advantage in the numerous ©prints she performed-up and dovrn'the yard, but tho buyers would have non© of her at the imco demanded. It was explained that “Peggie” had had a fine record, having won five first prizes at a show three years ago. She was competed for up to ,£l7, and not a halfpenny more would she bring. After &. brief consultation with Hr Watcrfield, Hr York decided not to let.her go at the price, announcing that she would bring more by private treaty. £l4O FOR A LANDAU.

There was no more live stock on the list, tho next lot put up being a very fine landau, made by Windovor, London. Bidding started at ,£BO. and quickly rose by “fivers" to .£120; then more slowly to ,£llO, at which figure it was knocked down, to Mr W. Carey, cab proprietor, of r iesworth street. The auctioneer in-

formed the assemblage that the landau, had cost £IBO. Such'-bcing tho case a very good price ,was got for the conveyance. OTHER ITEMS. A handsome victoria, by Hutton, Dublin, was passed in at £2(l. aud was then declared to be open for purchase privately. . r ... . A convenient waggonette, by Burlington and Co.. London, was sold' for £32, This completed' the biff' lots, - the auctioneer passing on to ; tho smaller lots, such as - harness, saddles, ■ etc. There were two fine sots of double harness, one lot being sold for £25. and the other for £ls. Very good prices wore got for tho miscellaneous articles, including £5 10s for a gentleman's saddle, which, appeared to be a very high figure. .