THE CLYDESDALE HORSE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 181, 2 July 1936, Page 5

THE CLYDESDALE HORSE.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY

Clydesdale breeders in New Zealand had reason to congratulate themselves on the good prices ruling at ]>resent for horses, said the president (Mr W. J. Doak) at the annual meeting of the Clydesdale Horse Society of New Zealand, which was held on Friday in Christchurch. There was a very large attendance of members.

The treasurer’s report disclosed that the (society’s investments now totalled £6280.

In moving the adoption of the bal-ance-sheet, the president said that the good state of the market should encourage members to import Clydesdales and carry out breeding on a large scale. It was particularly gratifying that some of the Clydesdales exported from New Zealand to Australia had been able to hold their own even against stock imported from Scotland. The motion was seconded by Mr Q. Donald.

The secretary read the report of the treasurer (Mr A. Hunter) which sharply criticised the action of some members in raising the issue of South Island versus North Island and endeavouring to secure a greater proportion of representation for the south.

Mr M. E. Lyons said that the treasurer had been unduly provocative and had no right to publish his report in the Press before copies of it were circulated among members. The speaker attacked the policy of the society in hoarding up its funds instead of spending them for the advancement of the breed. He failed to see what practical good could be accomplished bv building tip the society’s reserve to the large sum of £6OOO. Mr J. W. Harding, in defending the council’s action, said that in 1929 it had a surplus of Is Bd. On the recommendation of -members the treasurer had set out to build up a reserve fund of £SOOO, and be was entitled to congratulations on the successful outcome of his efforts. Mr W. 0. Rennie said he considered that, having more than achieved its objective, the society should now adopt a more liberal policy with its expenditure, especially in its dealings with agricultural and pastoral associations. The secretary said that the council at its meeting that day had decided to increase considerably its prize money to a number of agricultural and pastoral associations, and had allocated £75 to the next Royal Show. After further discussion the motion was carried. Retiring members of the council were re-elected as follow: —Messrs W . H. Campbell (•Hastings), J. 3V. Harding (Waipukurau), W. G. Park (Te Awamutu), W. G. Wallace (Cambridge), Alex. Brown (Kakanui), Andrew Grant (Fail-lie), and G. C. Thomson (Dunedin). The resignation of Mr S. R. Boag (Brookside) leit a vacancy which the council will fill. The following other officers were elected President, Mr Hamish Wilson (Bulls) ; vice-presidents, South Island, Messrs R. Kennedy and Alex. Brown; North Island, Messrs J. W. Harding and A. McNicol; treasuior, Mr A. Hunter (Hawera). Considerable discussion took place when the following motion was moved by Mr H. F. Fincham (Hawarden) : “For the purpose of facilitating the election of councilmen and for securing due representation of the various districts in which the members reside, the Dominion shall he divided into three districts, consisting respectively of: (1) The North Island; (2) the provincial districts of Nelson, W ostland, Marlborough, and Canterbury; (3) the provincial districts of Otago and Southland. That each of the three districts bo represented by eight councilmen.” On a poll being taken, the motion was lost by 276 votes to 339. On the motion of Mr Ronnie, it was resolved to recommend that the council consider the question of importing - two Clydesdale stallions for service in each island, or, alternatively, that the council subsidise the importation of approved Clydesdale stallions.