CLYDESDALE HORSE SOCIETY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8462, 30 May 1916, Page 7

CLYDESDALE HORSE SOCIETY.

ANNUAL-REPORT

The fifth annual report of the Clydesdale Horse Society states that one result of the high prices paid in other years for New Zealand Clydesdales by Australians was for breeders and doalers hero to neglect the; local market, which called for a, good upstanding gelding at a fair price for city haulage and heavy contract work*,, So many entire colts having bein^ shipped as two-year-olds, there are not now in tho country a sufficient number of suitable liorses to meet requirements. To regain tho prestige lost should be the aim of breeders throughout New Zealand, and in order to quickly effect this, tho knife must be used more frequently than heretofore. The total number of animals examined and passed under the veterinary scheme is 393, which, number is made-up as follows:—Life certificates (G.V.L.C), 190; provisionally certified free from scheduled unsoundness for one year (P.O. with date), 203. Applications to have a considerable number examined will be dealt with by the Government veterinarians as soon as possible. During tho year four members have died and 12 (having retired from farming) have resigned. Thirtythree breeders have joined during the year, and the roll now stands at 474. The Wright, Stephenson 50-guinoa ch«l> lengo cup was competed for at the Otago A. and P. Society's stallion show at Dunedin, the trophy being awarded to Mr Donald Macdonald, Edendale, for his Crookston-bred " Scotland's Stamp." The Union Steam Ship Company's challenge cup (of the same value) was competed for at the Hawke's Bay Show, and was awarded to Mr Archibald McLean, Greenhills, Hastings, for Silver Princess. Gold medals (of £5 value) offered by the Clydesdale Horse Society of Great Britain were competed for at the Ashburton Show in March, and were awarded to Messrs T. and A.- Carruthers, Middlemarch, for Nether Index, and to Messrs Thomson arid Co., WaiRongoa, North Taieri, for Baron's Brilliant. The bronze and silver affiliation medals were competed for at. 24 shows of affiliated societies during the year. .In some districts the competi T tiori was very keen. According to tho rules of the society eight members of the council retire annually—four from each Island. Nomination forms I'uvcal tho confidence of members of tho society in the retiring councillors, there being no fresh nominations. The secretary has boon advised by persons in close touch with the Clydesdale men of the Commonwealth, in particular with the markets of Sydney. Melbourne. Adelaide, and Perth ' (W.A.). i.liat there is enquiry for really jjood horses, both sires pud m.'iros. Tho council lias nominated tho following as office-bearers for. the en^uinir year: —

President, Mr J. W. Harding ttVni'wkiitvuiV. vif^-nresidontx: North Tshind —-ATosKrn Jnmos Knight (Feildhur) ;>nr7 -Tnmes Grnr»t (IT a "'em); South T ssl.ii nd —Mes«'x John Pooc. jiui. fHrookside. nnif^rlmry) n"d G'"i'"<re 0. Thomson (Wai-Rongoa. North Taieri).