FOR SALE, A HORSE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXI, Issue 22, 24 January 1924, Page 8

FOR SALE, A HORSE

A “SPEC” THAT FAILED. Does anybody want a horse ? asks the Christchurch Sun. It is a noble animal, well bred, broken to all work, quiet possessing all the qualities that a horse should possess, and lacking in all, the faults which a horse should Jack.' It must be all those things. The auctioneer said that it is, and he should know. He has sold many horses, and his knowledge of them is wide and lengthy. For 25 years has lie watched them walk, trot and gallop in carts of all descriptions, along Colombo Street. And at New Brighton the other day lie picked two winners and a second. So there can be no argument on that point. The horse stood in the auction-yard. The auctioneer laboured hard for it, but bids were slow. After 10 minutes all that was offered was £2. “And it's a darned good horse, too,” said a secclylooking individual. Clarence pricked up his oars. A good horse! Going for £2! Here was a chance for a quick purchase and re-sale with profit to a speculator. And Clarence acted “Two-ten,” ho said, “He’s yours!” and down came the hammer with a bang. Now, whether the good judges of horseflesh in Christchurch have all gone away for their Christmas holidays, or whether a ring has been formed to force down the price of the noble animal, Clarence cannot determine. It’s not so very long ago since he “swotted up” the life-story of a certain royal personage who cried wildly, “My kingdom for a horse!” And now, so bad has the market become, that nobody can be found to part out £3 for a perfectly priceless specimen of horseflesh. The Owners’ and Breeders’ Association has taken no steps in the matter. The S.P.C.A. inspector certainly looked in, but when he found the quadruped feeding contently and greedily in Clarence’s uncle’s paddock he smiled broadly ’ and looked out again.. Clarence’s uncle also looked in, and when he found the horse feeding—greedily and eminently—ho passed a few remarks on the subjects of horses (worthless ones), cool cheek (Clarence’s), and young fools (unspecified) which caused the price of the horse to drop rapidly to a bare £2. And still there are no buyers. Does anybody want a horse?