DRAUGHT HORSES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1486, 8 July 1912, Page 10

DRAUGHT HORSES.

examination tor shows. « 'A meeting under tho auspices of tho Hawke's Bay A. and P. Association was ■held at Hastings last week to consular tho matter of having all draught horses exhibited at shows subjected to a veterinary examination. The chair was occupied uy Mr. T. H. Lowry. Mr. Hugh Campbell remarked that the point at issue was attracting attention all over tho world. Ho v;as agreeable that all draughts over a certain ago should be examined, but oue examination should pass him for any show during tho season. This would bo a matter for the Government, who should appoint one of the ablest veterinary surgeons for the purpose. A Government officer's .certificate was necessary under the Victorian schedule, which was the schedule they should ndopt. ■■ : t ~.■-, The secretary read a letter from Mr. C. J. Reakes regarding the conditions required by Victoria and New Soutih nales, in which it was stated that these two Governments were prepared to issuo, without further examination, the Government certificate of soundness and approval in respect of any horse imported from New Zealand for vhich a Government certificate had been issued by an officer of tho veterinary staff of tho Agricultural Department, deputed for the purpose by the Chief Government veterinarian, the Government taking tho responsibility on tho autliorityof the chief veterinary oflicer. The secretary, continuing, said that the examination in Victoria and New South Wales was purely voluntary, but it had become so ponulav that a horse could not now'be sold'without it. He had been speaking with Mr. Reakes, who said he was very glad they were moving in thematter, and if t.hcv desired lie would send up two officers to-mako the examinations. He (Mr. Dauglas) then brought up the Miiesfion of a horse hoing passed at Napier, and being thrown out by officers at Palmerston, but Mr. Reakes said he would meet that bv appointing the same officers. He was in favour of the proposal and would fall iu with any suggestion the A. and P. Association wmild make. llic Department would not make a charge for examination on the showground, but they coitld never give such an examination as to issue a certificate for A'ictoria. Such ."• certificate would be charged for and.would necessarily be exhaustive. Mr. R. D. D. M'l.eau supported Mr. Campbell, and he thought that, as the Department were prepared to assist; they should recommend the A. and P.Societys Committee to adopt the suggestion. He said the Sydney Royal Show had insisted on a Government veterinary surgeon's certificate with n.horse of his sent over- for exhibition, and would not recognise thf certificate of ' any veterinary; surgeon 'n private practice.; Mr. A. M. Brodie. veterinary surgeon, said that, if there was a large entry, the veterinary surgeons would probably have to meet "the day before the show. ;As pointing to the necessity for the examinations, he said that the Shires Show before last'held'in London only a. quarter . per cent, were rejected, and in Victoria, the rejects totalled per cent, of the whole lot. The examination should apply to. three years old .and upwards, stiillipns and mares. \ : Mr. Archibald suggested that they should communicate with other societies, stating what they -wanted and asking their co-operation.' ■■'■',-.' . . The chairman said- there was not time to, communicate with the other societies if the condition'was to come into force ..this, year, but they'could, of course, ask their eo-opei'ation. On the motion of Messrs. Hugh Campbell and R. D. D. M'Lean. it was decided "That it be a recommendation to the committee of the Hawke's Bay A. and ciety that all breeding draught horses three years old and upwards, exhibited at their, shows should beicompulsorily examined by the Department of Agriculture's officers before he>ns shown in tho anil, .if" rejected'for hereditary unsoundness, eihouid not he allowed to so before the iud'ge, tho schedule of hereditary unsoundness to be similar to. the Victorian schedule."

On the motion of Messrs. Arch. M'T*nn and ,T. W. Harding, it was decided:'"That "any■'■hordes passed at A. and P. Society shows: by the Department of Agriculture's officers should be furnished with a certlficftte which shall exemnt them from further examination at other A. and P. shows in the Dominion for the remainder of tho show-season, and that all leading A.-and P.'.societies of the Dominion.bo requested to fall in w'th the proposal."