PALMERSTON NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1909, Page 3

PALMERSTON NOTES.

fßr Temcraph. — Special to The Post/J PALMERSTOX X., This Day. An interesting discussion took place at yesterday's meeting of the A. and P. Afsociation on a letter from a contributor, Mr. J. Ellis, stating that he would withdraw his special prize for horses free from hereditary disease, if the association did not continue • offering a second prize in the same class. The judges, it seems, have power to award prizes to sound hordes only, but the power is rarely used. Mr. Johnston s>aid prize horses should be compelled to pass, a veterinary surgeon, as was the case in the Old Country. There was a lot of rubbish going round the country in the shape of show horses, and they should be prevented from taking prizes. Mr. Wheeler suggested that breeders should be compelled to produce certificates of soundness. "You get no entries then," ejaculated' a member, while another suggested having a vet. in the ring to act with the judge. Other members favoured the Government doing the examining on a wholesale scale, and eventually, in order to give members an opportunity of discussing the matter, notice of motion was given that *t next spring show a paid vet. be employed and no stud horses be awarded prizes unless passed by him. Mr. W. Jacob, the well-known sheepbreeder, leaves shortly on a six months' visit to England. He has been granted leave of ' absence by the Manawatu A. and P. Committee for that period. The new gorge bridge at Ashhurst has been passed by Mr. Nathan, Government engineer, and will be opened early in June. It is a truss bridge of seven spans, each 147 feet in length. The contract price was £18.853.