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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8535, 8 April 1891, Page 4

Although our local horse - breeding company has proved financially a failure, that is no reason why individual effort should abjure high class horse-breeding. Individual effort frequently accomplishes what corporations fail to attain. In the hard matter-of-fact commercial aspect our Stud Company was not a success, but practically its results were eminently encouraging and highly suggestive. It has been demonstrated that careful selection. of, and strict attention to, horses for stud purposes will eventuate in a high- priced progeny, the sale figures of which will undoubtedly indicate a most remunerative business. The expense incidental to corporate bodies, added to a crushing weight of interest, accounts for non-success in many joint - stock undertakings, but these peculiarities need not occur in single-handed enterprises. To our knowledge, there are many Scotch tenant farmers who annually breed one or two foals from first-class mares and sires. When a year old and upwards, these animals are easily sold, principally to Yankee buyers, at prices ranging from £100 upwards, and when safely landed in the States, three times the amount is no uncommon figure for a re-sale. Now, the breeding of high-class< stock occasions no more trouble and very little more expense than the raising of inferior animals, consequently by the judicious outlay of a little extra money at starting our farmers could lay the sure foundation of certain trade and remunerative prices. Our defunct Stud Company, if it has accomplished no personal benefit to its members, must at least be credited with the fact that it has conclusively shown that first-class horses can be reared in our district, and that outside buyers are anxious to secure high-class animals, for which they are prepared to pay prices so astounding that in many cases the price of a single animal would mean a competence to its fortunate owner. Now, New Zealanders do not at present require to go so far afield as the United States to find a ready and remunerative market for well-bred horses. Australia is a convenient and constant customer. But, if necessary, why should New Zealanders not exploit the Yankee markets, as well as their home confreres 'I The voyage is only about one week longer, and this is compensated by the comparatively pacific nature of the trip. The Indian trade is an accomplished fact, and might be almost all our own To attain eminence in this, as in any other business, excellence - must be our motto. Let our agriculturists and breeders inaugurate a stud book, in which, for a small sum, the pedigree of high-class animals could be entered. Those in search of prize or blood ■ stock could then easily be put on the track, of animals they wished to acquire, breeders would be saved the trouble and expense of auction sales, with occasional failure to sell, and the consequent out-

lay of maintenance and return journey. The pedigree book is a recognised institution in all high-class breeding centres in the old country, and has had the effect of attracting buyers from all; parts of the world. We cordially recommend the consideration of this matter to farmers' societies, and agriculturists in general, believing that its intelligent consideration will tend to the advantage of country people, and to the general prosperity of the Colony at large.'