CERTIFICATES OF SOUNDNESS FOR HORSES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9618, 11 October 1909, Page 6

CERTIFICATES OF SOUNDNESS FOR HORSES.

j DISCUSSED BY MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. The Secretary of the Conference of A. and P. Associations wrote with regard to the matter of hereditary unsoundness in horses, stating that the Chief Veterinarian was in full sympathy with the movement as discussed at the Conference, to effect some improvements. Suggestions were invited as to the Best means of giving effect to the following resolution:—"That the Government appoint inspectors whose duty it shall be to examine stallions voluntarily submitted to them and give certificates on payment of £l, if such stallions were proved free from hereditary disease and defective conformation. the system t« be on the lines of the Victorian scheme; that the veterinary inspection of stud horse classes at the Dominion Agricultural Shows be undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, and that no prize be awarded to exhibitors in such classes unless certified as sound by the qualified veterinary officer." Mr D. McGregor, jnr., one of the delegates to the Conference, stated that the effect of the Victorian regulations in New Zealand had been such as to rob us of our best stallions, and leave uj the worst to breed from. Arrangements had been made where by New Zealand stallions would be accepted in Victoria providing they had a certificate from a local veter inary surgeon and from Mr Reakes. An amsnctment had been moved at the Conference which he thought would meet their requirements. The amendment read as follow "That it is desirable that legislation be pissed to deal with the compulsory examination for hereditary unsoundness and the licensing of stallions. No stallion to be licensed unless proved free from hereditary unsoundness. The Bill, on coming into forre, should apply to no horses then over two years old. Horses over that age

should be examined only at their owners' desire.'' He would move that they would adopt this amendment with the exception that it be made to apply to draught stallions only, as he did not think it would receive any support if it included racehorses. Mr W. J. Welch seconded the motion in its altered form, which was carried.