AUSTRALIAN STOCK.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 927, 1 June 1878, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN STOCK.

Sir, — Will you kindly allow me to make a few remarks with regard to the deterioration of Australian stock. I have spent twenty-eight years among some of the principal herds of New South Witles,iand Victoria, both as a buyer and manager ; 1 have seen their growth and improvement go steadily on from year to year, till I venture to say for numbers and quality the leading herds of Riverina (such as tho Messrs Lees, Dangers, Reynolds, White, (Job & Co-), &c.,. &c, and m Victoria I need hardly mention the renowned Colacherd, which I question for breeding quality, numbers, and prices obtained cannot be surpassed m the world, besides many others I could name. As the Messrs Maclean very properly remark, without a thorough knowledge and superior judgement, though possessed of Al stud stock, the business may, and often doos, turn out a failure. Some of thu best and most extensive breeders and judges don't object to in-and-in breeding, and m that particular, I may remark, is where men of exj>ericiiee and judgement shine, or iv other words knoAving where to hit. Climate, won't obtaiu^thc desired perfection.' I know of gentlemen ■to whom money was no object go m for fancy herds, procure the best blood to be obtained, till with few exceptions they uever could obtain a prominent place among high-class stock bred by men" of experience. From the remarks made by the gentleman returned from Australia to Wellington lately, I am under the impression that cattle breeding aint his tort, not no how. He reminds me of the Irishman who declared all his cattle were earmarked by having tho dewlap cnt. He should look round at home among the general run of cattle, where hh far seeing capabilities may lead him to make other discoveries — that is, if they degenerate more he will have to discover a new name for them. With regard to tho retrograde move- ] meut, his ingenuity imputes to Australian i cattle, Australian breeders can afford to laugh at that so long as they can net from three to four hundred thousand at an annual sale — to wit, the proprietors of Coke, whose herd I believe to be unequalled m tho old country. — I am, &c, Salt Bush.