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STRANGE INCIDENT OF SALE Two Bidders at New Zealand Auction Deny Making Offers When Horse Is Knocked Down. A peculiar incident of a recent thoroughbred auction in New Zealand Is recounted as follows in the Sydney Referee : "There was trouble over the sale of The Cyphers yearling brother in Christchurch at the bloodstock sales held there during the recent New Zealand Cup week. Starting at ?3,000, the colt quickly went to ,000, that being the bid of R. J. Mason. The auctioneer then took a bid of ?G,500, and finally knocked the colt down to J. W. Lowe at ,750. The latter, however, stated he had not made a bid, and had no intention of doing so. The Watch in The Dominion Wellington says subsequent proceedings were as follows: "Stating that he had mistaken a gesture of Mr. Lowes to indicate a bid, the auctioneer then went back to ?G,500, and after failing to elicit a further advance, the - colt was knocked down to G. D. Greenwood. This gentleman at once repudiated any bid for the colt, stating that he had only that moment arrived. The colt was then put up at Mr. Masons last bid of ,000. The veteran trainer, evidently dissatisfied with the proceedings, arose from his seat as the colt was knocked down to him and stated that it could be put down to him subject to the settlement of any dispute regarding the bidding. The colt has been purchased by Mason for a Melbourne buyer, and he said that he was not at present at liberty to disclose the identity."
