HORSES FOR GUNS AND TROOPERS

\ COLONEL REAKES AT WORK. ' One of '.the big tasks now in hand by i he. Defenoe. Department 13 the ..selection tf horses for :the Expeditionary • Force. 1 Fhis important work is being directed by \ Jolonel ■C. :. J. Eeakes, the Chief State ; Veterinarian of New Zealand. Colonel 6 Jeakes is 'located every■■'••.day now at De- ( erice Headquarters, and the work of pro- s Hiring-.the artillery horses-.is being push- ■■, d on -he .'.rapidly, as .possible; '■..,-. ...... \\ The authorities:hope that those'-bring- : ng forward hoTEes to be used by the field ; irtillefy will -present tbe best available,' ] is it is very important that this branch J if the foroe should.be' , furnished',with the ; rery finest .of horses. \\Tiat. are'.'wanted .1 ire animals of the b-alf to. three-quarter-Iraiight class.. ,They must be broken, to larness, and answer the following : fe[iiirements:—"Short, etrong backs;.'well', •ibbed up; good .bone; spund ; iyell-shape<l eet; freo action; 'sound in wind, and tactically sound in otter respects; in food condition, and fit for; active service;" Hie height, hvust be from 15.1 to 15.3, and ;he age rising five jears to seven years, mt. good eight-year-olds will riot be refussi. No greys, duns, or light chestnufa will \ >e accepted. The average price; is limitid to" JB3O. ! > l v' , ' ■■■ :■:■,■■■;■■.■; No particular, more haß made :ow.nids getting in torses for the mounted rifles, 03 most of the:horses taken will x those, brpnglit in by the men themjelves. The height is to be 14.3 to-15.2, : jut horses between 14.2 and .14.3 may ,be '. lakeri if otherwise especially suitable. Tlio ?tipnlatedage is rising .five to seven years. A. good sound eight-year-old maybe taken if in; thoroughly good -.and pushly'nt in every way : for totive vice. The stamp '.required is thus deseriV e); \.^_''G oo 3 j compact animals.with. 1 good bone, strong 10in,,-good free action and good feet:/ Stust.'be absolutely: eound in wind and practically soond otherwise. No horse showing anv^symptom; of strangles, will be: purchased." No grevs,; d-uns or light chestnuts will >e bought, and the average cost of all mounted rifles' horses must not exceed £20: per head. ■■ -] : Stock inspectors and State , veterinarians in all the centree of; thte Dominion have been appointed to leceive gift horses and to make purchases. .• ,■ ■■