HORSE-BREEDING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 2

HORSE-BREEDING.

SUGGESTIONS BY A SHOW-RING JUDGE. To the Editor. Sir, —I should not trespass on your space had I not been requested by so many people to ventilate the subject Lam about to discuss. I may Also say that I think it is a most important one. .For some time I havo felt the great harm that is 'done to horsebreeding in Now Zealand by allowing unsuuud stallions to travel the country and perpetuate their weaknesses, and I think it is high time that the matter should bo taken in hand, and a struggle wade to improvo the breed of horses in our Dominion. At the annual meeting of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Society, I brought forward a scheme that I think is a feasible one, and which I believe is to be discussed by the Executivo Conunit-tee of that body. Since the meeting 1 have had such numbers of communications from all parts asking mo to mako the scheme as public as possible, that I am forced to ask you to help mo in the matter. To iinprovo tlio breed of horses, I would suggest_ that the time has arrived when the various agricultural and pastoral societies should combino and request the Government to set aside a sum of not less than £2000 per annum to bo given as premiums for stallions, both light and draught. This sum could easily bo taken out of tlio moneys received by tho Government from the totalisator revenue, and would be especially applicable as racing is supposed to be primarily for the improvement of the horse. There are ten provincial districts in Now to- I "'' should give four premiums of £50 cach to each provincial district; two for draught, and two for light stallions. The winner of a premium should be obliged to servo a certain number of maros belonging to owners of farms of not less than 2o and not more than 200 acres at a low fee. to be decided on by a board who should make regulations to govern theso premiums. In tho event of more applications being made for tho servico of tho siro than stipuater for, a ballot should bo taken. A board of five should be elcctcd by tho varlous agricultural and pastoral societies of each provincial district, and should bo camposed of practical breeders who know tlio class of stallion required for the district, «ind should bo assisted by a Government veterinary surgeon, who would know whether the animals were sound, but might not know tho class of stallion wanted. lam confident, if carried out properly, this would give great assistance to the smaller farmer who has a good ninre, but lacks knowledge of how best to choose a suitable stallion; had lie the opportunity of securing a stallion that had been awarded a premium ho would at least know ho was getting a sound animal. The rich man can pay for his own fanfcies, or pay for advice. Help is given largely in England, France, Italy, etc., in this manner, so surely it is time our Government should bestir themselves as well. \\e never know when a big war may break out, and the necessity for good horses at such a time has been proved by tho la to south African War, for which I chose a great number of horses. I will not tako up any more of yonr space except to say that, in discussing this subject with other judges at tho various shows, the opinion generally was definite that a groat many bad stallions were travelling tlio country, spoiling the breed of our horses, and that something should bo done to stamp them out, hence my reason for putting forward this scheino. thanking you for allowing me to bring the matter before tho public in this way.—l am, otc., E. DENNIS O'RORKE. B-emuera, Auckland, March 16.