The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 9. 1888. THE INDIAN HOUSE MARKET.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1914, 9 August 1888, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 9. 1888. THE INDIAN HOUSE MARKET.

Dunedin, Oamarn, South and North Canterbury with Wanganui has hitherto been the ground over which the horse dealer lias travorsed to procure horses suitable for shipment to India. Auckland has now made a move to send a j shipment of horses to India direct, and ' 300 good serviceable animals have been secured m the North for the purpose. The prospects of the venture are said to be particularly bright, and a quick passage per steamer with favorable weather should land the consignment m the Jndian market m good condition. Australia has hitherto been receiving the full benefit of the Indian market, but the superior stamp of horses to be procured m He? Zealand will not fail to give the An n tralian breeder very considerable trouble to hold bis own against this colony. As to the class of horses required, weight carryingchargers \ find the readiest market, while good hacks and carriage horses are always m demand. In this district alone a sufficiently good stamp of horse is bred, which is at once suitable for the Indian market, and it is always pleasing to find that there is enterprise enough among our foremost breeders to look to an outside market. News has recently been received that the Indian Government were not inclined to maintain the price quoted m our cables a few weeks ago, but even taking the tone of the market itself there is much encouragement m store for futurs shippers. From an exchange we learn that the value of horses m England and America is well maintained. At a recent fair held m Lincoln average quotations for best animals were as follows : — Carriage horses (matched pairs), which were very scarce, from 160 to 250g5., and up as high as 400gs. ; horses suitable for broughams (high steppers), 65 to 105gs. ; carriage horses, with good action, 50 to 90gs. ; high-stepping saddle-horses, 70 to llOgs. ; horses for cabs and 'buses, 15 to 28gs. ; draught horses, 45 to 70gs. ; good farm horses, £25 to £35 ; short legged horses for town work, £25 to £35. A corres pondent of the l< Rural Now Yorker " gives the following particulars about horses m the States : — Draught horses are classified as light or heavy draught, and first and second quality, selling m the market at from £37 to £60. A few years ago, one ihat weighed 14001 b was considered large ; to-day such a one is not classed as a draught horse, being too small. They must reach well on to 15001 b and from that to 1600, 1700, and 18001 b each, and occasionally one weighs from 1900 to 20001 b. A good draught horse, weighing 15001 b, is worth £40, and for every 1001 b m weight, one can safely add £5. Thus, horses equally good, weighing 16001 b, are worth £45 ; 17001 b weight, £50 ; 18001 b, £55; 1900 ib, £60.