HORSES ON TRAINS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1856, 16 September 1913, Page 8

HORSES ON TRAINS.

REQUESTS to department.

(By Teleeraph.—Fresa Association;) Christchurch, September 15. The deputation, consisting of Sir Goo. Clifford, Bart- Hon, J. D. Ormoiid,

Messrs. Bidwill, Buckley, and Miller, who were appointed by the New Zealand Raciug Conlerenco to wait on the Minister for Railways in July last, and urgo upon him tlio .necessity for making better provision for the transit of racehorses, and lor providing an improved typo of horse-box, have been notified that strict instructions havo been given to the Department on the cleaning of stock wagons. During tlio busy season, however, owners of horses prefer to have their wagons supplied bctore being cleaned, rathor than have any slight delay, and it is not always possible to clean tlio trucks'as thoroughly as would he done during the slick season. In cases where it is known that the animals are diseased, special care is taken ill cleaning and disinfecting trucks. Every effort will be made to prevent tlio occurrence of dirty' stock wagons. Instructions were given somo tinio ago that each horse-box was to bo provided with a colza roof lamp, and, if particulars can lie supplied of any instance where a horse-box has not been so equipped, the Minister will havo tlio matter investigated. The Department's officers havo had drawings of the horseboxes in use oil the Western Australian and Queensland railways compared with those in use in New Zealand, and the only apparent advantage in tlio boxes in use in these two Australian States is the provision of a double roof and water tank, and cushioned seats ill the groom's compartment. It is suggested by the Minister that the Racing Conference should submit particulars of any improvements and alterations which they consider necessary to the horse-boxes at present in use, and tlio matter will bo again referred to the Department's officers.

With reference to representations on tlie conveyance of racehorses by special trains, the Minister states that, pro-, vided owners will combine and give a load of 25 boxes or 50 horses, tlio Department will run a special train, i( convenient, for the conveyance of horses from "Christchurch to Duncdin, or Dunedin to Invercargill.

The reply of tho Minister also states tliat raceliorse traffic is one of tlio most unremunerative classes by rail. This is partly owing to the fact that racers havo to be conveyed in specially-constructed wagons, which cannot bo used for other classes of traffic, and as a general rulo, the wagons havo to travel long distances empty, while, for the greater part of tho year, they are lying idle.

Tho president of the Racing Conference has communicatetl further with tho Minister, pointing out that he rather demurs to tho statement that racehorse traffic is unremunerative, inasmuch as it is vital to a very profitable consequential traffic—a fact, which the rail.way rejourns must verify, and that tho proposal of tho Department to run a special train 011 the terms mentioned is' prohibitive, and suggests that tho minimum be altered to a combined load of 16' boxes or 32 horses.

The Minister has replied that the Department is prepared to reduce the number to 40 horses, or 20 four-wheeled wagons.