TAXING STALLIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2943, 26 May 1891, Page 2

TAXING STALLIONS.

Tim question of taxing stallions has been brought prominently under the notico of breeders by a circular lately issued from tho Stock Department, Wellington, a copy of which appearei in our columns of April 2S. The subject was lately discussed by the Cambridge Brand, of the Waikat" Farmers' Club, when a resolution favouring the proposal was carried. It will not be out of place to bring under the notice 'of those interested that the same subject was considered by the National Agricultural Association of Queensland, in tho year ISKS, when the following resolutions were proposed : —l. That a tax or license foe be imposed (Mi all entire horses over two years— namely, draught stallions i'lo ; throughbred and other stallions, £20. 2. That these fees be collected through the office of the Inspector of Stock. 3 That the money, after tho expense of collecting is deducted, '.ie apportioned to the leading agricultural societies in the various districts of the colony. 4. That the said agricultural societies should, at their annual exhibition, select a certain number of stallions for their titness and soundness, and apportion such money as may be available as premiums, 011 tho condition of their standing or travelling the season in such districts at the nnximum fee of -10s per mare. 5. That all entire horses running 011 waste lands bo destroyed or castrated. The terms "horses'' to include " ponies." The Council of the National Agricultural Society of Vicitoria in the same year tabled the following resolution " That with a view to improve the stamp of horses, the Society ask the Government to place a tax of £10each 011 stallions upward of two years of age, and appropriate the net proceeds for the best horses exhibited at shows." Unquestionably the breeding of horses has of late years been carried 011 in rather a loose manner : it would almost appear as though the prico of the sire was the main Consideration ; really good upstanding carriage horses, chargers, or hacks are rarely to be met with in 0111 s duyards while mongrels abound. Those who have suitable land for horse-breeding will do well to consider this matter, it costs quiet as much to rear a weed as a animal uf the right stamp.