CLYDESDALE HORSES.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1551, 7 February 1879, Page 4

CLYDESDALE HORSES.

By the ship Norval, which arrived a few weeks ago at Port Chalmers, Mr James Walls, of Kaiapoi Island, has received a new stud Clydesdale horse named Kilbowie. The horse has reached his owner’s farm in charge of Mr W. Birnie, who brought him from Scotland. Kilbowie has arrived in grand condition, and is a magnificent looking sire. He is rising three years, by Banker, a noted horse in Scotland, which has left some wonderful stock. Kilbowie’s dam is a mare named Nell, which has gained high honours in the Scotch stock exhibitions. The newcomer is a fine upstanding animal, dark bay, with black mane and tail, and white stockings, is well sot under, and carries a superb top, a good arched neck, a splendid forearm and chest, firm shoulder, capital buttock, and even barrel. His legs are strongly boned, with neat feet and much feather. Altogether he is an animal which promises to be of service in his district, and reflects every credit on Mr Birnie, who selected him. It is, as has been already stated, a matter for sincere regret that the horse Bonnie Scotland was lost during the passage of the Norval, when about forty-five days out. Bonnie Scotland was by Mr J. Wall’s horse Pride of Scotland, and his dam Jean, the mare owned by Mr Q-ray, of Muncraig, Kirkcudbrightshire, which was champion in the best company of the United Kingdom at the Royal Agricultural show of 1878 hold in Bristol. From what can bo learnt of Bonnie Scotland, ho was an animal possessing all the traits and quality of Pride of Scotland, and those who know anything about the Pride would have been able to have formed a high judgment of his qualities had his son been landed in New Zealand. The price and expenses on Bonnie Scotland amounted to about £ISOO, and such an interest did Mr Birnie take in this superior horse that he could not bear to be within hearing when its body was thrown over the side of the Norval. Every arrangement possible was made for its safe transport in the provision of compressed fodder, proper water, and padded boxes well fitted. The box was of stout construction, and not only lined with pads on ail sides, but the floor was covered with brushy cocoanut matting which was regularly changed. Captain Holliday took considerable interest in his equine passengers, and at any time permitted some of his seamen to assist in tending to them when the weather was rough, or they could be taken on to the lower deck for exercise. Having passed the troubles of the English Channel with a ship laden well down with railway iron, it was expected by everyone on board that all danger to the horses was past. The water brought from Aberdeen had given out, and a change was made to the ship’s other supply from London after a day of very rough weather, and it is almost certain this resulted in the death of this fine animal. Various kinds of fodder were put on board, and the animals in an ordinary passage could hare been landed in the same condition as they were shipped. Owing to the high rate charged for insurance of stock Mr Birnie had not insured either Bonnie Scotia- d or Kilbowie, and therefore the total loss falls on the owner, which, considering his efforts to promote the successful breeding of Clydesdale horses, which have so materially benefited this province, is much to be regretted.