HORSE PARADES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10465, 1 October 1894, Page 6

HORSE PARADES.

CHBISTCHUECH. The annual horse parade under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and.Pasfcoral ’ Association was held on the Show Grounds on Saturday. The arrangements were satisfactorily carried out under the management of Messrs W. Boag and W. Henderson, Mr C. J. Wilson making an efficient marshal, ) and Mr Murphy, the energetic secretary, as usual, giving every satisfaction. ' The attendance of the public was poor, and very little interest appeared to bo taken in the proceedings. The entry of stallions comprised seventy-two, as a gainst sixty-nine at the previous parade, the principal increase being noted in the carriage and trotting class. The four imported draughts entered are all wellknown sires, and came forward in very good condition. Eighteen colonial-bred draughts paraded, most of the old horses looking well, but amongst the younger ones there were several which should never have been kept to breed from, and which are not likely to maintain the standard of Canterbury Clydesdales, some of them being decidedly deficient in size, bone and hair. The carriage horses, roadsters and trotting stallions were represented by thirty-two animals, the major portion of. the entry being quite outclassed by a few animals of sterling merit, exhibiting quality that would not. disgrace any show ring. It is . a pity that, with the scarcity of good upstanding horses, and the plethora of weeds from which the country is suffering, the latter class should be still further perpetuated; and there is bound to be an increase of useless animals if some of the light horses shown on Saturday are selected by breeders. All the well-known trotting stallions were on parade, and they were undoubtedly a feature, the younger stock, however, falling far short of the imported sires. The thoroughbreds were a very nice lot, and with the exception of a son of La Loup were all old favourites, and no fault could bo found with the condition in which they came forward. The ponies were a decidedly mixed lot, and although they only numbered seven they included a wonderful variety, from one timbered and haired like a Clydesdale to one of the most perfect ponies that could be wished for. At the conclusion of the parade the annual sale was proceeded • with, when thirty-eight horses were offered by seven auctioneers, only one of whom succeeded in making sales, and thus saved the function from being the complete farce it was last year. Fortunately a time limit was put on the lots, and MrC. Lewis, who acted as timekeeper, kept the salesmen up to their work, and business was concluded by 2.30 p.m. Messrs H. Matson and Co. sold for Mr it. Davie tbs trotting istal’icn Honduras, 4yis, by Berlin—Fancy Bell, to Mr Glasgow, of Nelson, at a price running into three figures; for Mr M’Grath, the Clydesdale stallion Champion, Byrs, by Eeformer—Bell, at 70gs, to Mr J. Johns; and the Clydesdale stallion Young Marquis

of Salisbury, 3yrs, by Marquis of Salisbury—Maggie, at 65 gs, to Mr C. H. Winter; and for Mr M’Grath, two draught mares at £l4 10s and £lO 15s. TIMAEU. The annual horse parade of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Saturday. The entry list shows a falling off almost year by year. The entries for Saturday were as follow: — Draughts seven, thoroughbreds five, trotters and coachers ten, pony one. The day was fine for tho purpose, and there was a good muster of people interested in horse breeding.