THE STOCK-BREEDER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6962, 30 October 1909, Page 3

THE STOCK-BREEDER

A ROYAL SHOW AN IMPORTANT SUGGESTION. The idea of a Royal Show has been before tho country for some time now, but the dominant note in tho idea is that it should bo held alternately at, say Palmerston in this island and Ohiristohuroh in the South. Mr B. D. O'Rorke, of Auckland, made the suggestion, when speaking on the occasion above referred to, that Now Zealand should have a Royal Show, but on the lines of the English ; Royal, pe-ri-patotic—hold at different Centres every i year. Ho would prevent all jealousy bv putting the names of tho show societies in a hat and balloting for positions. It could bo hold every twx> years if not every year.- A Royal Show would be of groat educational value to all classes of man on the land; it would be an incentive to farmers in tho different districts of the Dominion to brood the very best class of stock and generally tend to advances tho standard of all classes of pedigree stock. Tho Royal Show had done a tremendous lot of good at Home. When held at a> fixed sito near London it was a rank failure, but since being held in different counties as before it has proved a splendid success.

HORSE BREEDING IMPROVED METHODS NECESSARY A GRAVE NATIONAL QUESTION. Mr E. D. O'Rorke has been vigorously advocating of late a forward policy in regard to raising the standard of New Zealand horses. Ho has taken advantage of every occasion when addressing gatherings of farmers to emphasise the necessity of breeding only from sound and approved stock, and tho need of some Government assistance in the matter, preferably m ,tho direction of establishing premiums for district stallions.' Ho referred again to this matter at tho smoke concort of the Wairarapa P. and A. Society. The time had arrived, declared Mr O'Rorke, for the Government to allocate from tho revenue they a-e----ceived from the totalisator a sum of, say, £2OOO per annum for premiums for stallions. There were ten provincial districts in the Dominion, and he would like to seo four premiums of £SO each given to each province, two for draughts and two for light horses. The premiums could be managed by a board of four practical breeders, with a veterinary surgeon to test* the stallions for soundness. He would like to see the services of the premium stallions confined, at a reduced rate, to small farmers, but mares sent to tho stallion should be approved by the board. Somo such scheme was imperative if the quality of the horses of tho country was to be improved, or even maintained. He was confident ho could not now secure tho same number of good horses as he did before tho South African war. This was duo to the number of good mares then exported, »nd not replaced. lite did not believe in grandmotherly legislation, but ho maintained that tho work of advancing horse stock quality was essentially a matter which the Department of Agriculture should tako up. Tho agricultural societies, he was convinced, would assist the department in such a valuable undertaking. The subject was all the more important whon it was considered that war was

practicallv in the air. They would have to fight sooner or later, and it was the duty of the Dominion to assist in properly horsing the cavah-y aud mounted infantry troops of the Empire. (Applause.) Mr CRorko referred to the splendid success of the Olvmpia Horse "Show of London, and the bitter lesson it had taught the British Army in the matters of mounts and military riding. He was, glad to see that His Majesty the King was taking a keen interest in this aspect of the military position, and there was now somo reason for believing that the Mother Country would regain some of its lost laurels. (Applause.) Mr O'Rorke referred to the fact that this year no less a sum than £30,000 had been advanced by tho War Offico to be given for the. improvement of horses in England, and in this matter it was working hand-in-hand with the Board of Agriculture. It could _. thus be easily seen that the Home authorities realised tho imperative necessity of being fully prepared for possible contingencies in the matter of a proper supply of horses for tho British Army.

HORSES AND THEIR RIDING A LESSON FROM CARTERTON. Speaking at the smoke concert of tho thoroughbreds exhibited at the show, Mr E. D. O'Rorke. one of tho judges, referred in glowing terms to the champion maro-Cr. W. McKenzic's Waipipi), which he described as a very beautiful animal, showing lots of quality—a mare that would hold her own on any show ground. The yearling hack colt (a full brother to Sir Loathe) was a youngster which should furnish, ho thought, into something quite out of tho ordinary, but ho was shown in very bad condition for a show ring—his owner should certainly show liim in better condition. . The jumping at the show was declared by Mr O'Rorke to bo excellent—that is in the leading class. In tho open competition there were, same exceptionally good jumpers. Mr O'Re-rkc did not express tho same complimentary opinion in regard to the quality of the. horses in the maiden event. Speaking of the. riding the Northern horseman said that both he and his fellow judge, Mr J. Cbonvbe (well known as tho owner and rider of the old Palmerston champion Duchess) considered that many of the horses, particularly in tho maiden event, woro held too short; and when. Mr Coombo expressed an opinion liko that, said Mr O'Rorke, thoy should tako note of it. for Mr Coombo was one of the best show riders he had seen anywhere. In holding a horso short coming to a jump it" is liable to make him dip, jump short, and does not give him the nccessaTy liberty.