DEATH OF MUSKET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 239, 15 October 1885, Page 2

DEATH OF MUSKET.

It is with regret that we have to record the death of tho New Zealand Stud Company's famous stallion Musket, which took place at Sylvia Park early this morning. Several days ago h is condition caused nosmall amount of auxiety to Major Walmßley and Mr B. D. Halatead.tho veterinary surgeon to tho Company, but he gradually camo round again, and got quite himself, while late last evening, when his box was cosed for the night, he appeared to bo in good health. On opening it this morning, however, his attendant, to his great surprise, found him stretched out quite dead. Mr Halstead is making n post mortem of Musket's body today, so th»t at tho present time tho exact cause of his doath is not known, but it may bo mentioned that the main cause of his illness prior to his death was indigestion. This was brought on through his not being able to tako his usual daily exercise owing to a slight injury he sustained to his j shoulder two or thrco weeks back. Thonews of Musket'sdeath, which wasissuod I early this morning in the shape of a Star Extra,iu is needless to say, has caused quite a commotion throughout tho town during the day, ami on all hands may be hoard expressions of sympathy, not only at the heavy loss tho Company has sustained, bub tho Colony generally. Musket was mi ported from Kngland to Auckland in January, 1879, having been loased for life from Lord Glasgow by Mr Thomas Ruesell, on behalf of himself and Messrs Bailey and McLean. The consideration given for him was £550, for according to Lord Glasgow's will none of his horses could be Bold. lie afterwards passed into the hands of the two eld Auckland Stud Companies, and eventually became the proporty of the New Zealand Stud Company. It would bo difficult at the present timo to estimate Musket's worth, but it is not long since the Company woro offered something liko £12,000 to doliver him in England. His loss, indeed, will be a heavy one nt this period, for the horse was just in tho very zenith of his fame, and added to this, his services are almost lost for this season, he having only served ono-half of tho marcs allotted bim. As a siro, Musket had many traducers in his early days, but this ho lived down by the doeds of his progeny, and the many bril liant sons and daughters ho has now racing and springing up in Australia and Now Zealand will long serve to keep his memory green. Unfortunately he was not insured, tho Australasian Live Stock Society not being prepared to give a risk for more than £500, but ho was insured against lire.

Major Walmßley, in communicating Musket's death to Mr T. Morrin this morning, wrote as follows: —"He must have died in his sleep, for there is no appearance of tho slightest struggle. At 2 o'clock a.m, he was crying out for his food, and at. o'clock was found stone dead," i Hippona,