RAILWAY MANAGEMENT. BREEDING OF DRAUGHT HORSES, CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. Saw Milling at Catlins River. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2051, 15 June 1893, Page 8

RAILWAY MANAGEMENT.

BREEDING OF DRAUGHT HORSES,

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Saw Milling at Catlins River. TO THE EDITOR.

Those who desire to see the management of the railways of the colony in the hands of a non-political board, as at present, have made every effort to ascertain the true feeling of the country on the subject. The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society has taken the pains to circularise all those people in Otago who make considerable use of the railways — viz., the farmers, manufacturers, and wool-growers, — and has obtained an almost unanimous opinion that the present system is vastly to be preferred to any return to more direct politicalnianagement. A small pamphlet has been issued containing the replies of just 103 persons, firms, and company managers ; and it would be difficult to improve on the selection of names chosen with the object of getting a real representation of Otago men. In so far as Otago is concerned it may be said that the district is unanimous in declaring that the present system should not be changed. In Canterbury the similar association has taken steps to find out the current of public opinion, and has published the resolutions which will be found in another column giving, forth the same opinion as our own association. It will be remembered also that the Christchurch Press obtainedthe opinions of a large number of representative men throughout the colony, with the result that there was a clear preponderance of opinion in favour of the continued management of our railways by a non-political board. It may, we think, be taken for granted that in the whole of the South Island those who are best qualified to judge are of opinion that the system of a Board of Commissioners is better than a mere department of the State ; and such a declaration will, we have no doubt, go a long way to strengthen the hands of those members of Assembly who were at all doubtful on which side their votes should be given. Now, having regard to the peculiar character of the work carried on by the Eailway Commissioners during the past five years, we cannot but think that, whatever theoretical impropriety there was in their original appointment — since the promise to Parliament to appoint an expert from England was beyond doubt deliberately broken — whatever theoretical wrongdoing there was, the commissioners themselves, through their excellent conduct of affairs, must be credited with the approbation now generally bestowed on the system. It is true that not a few of those whose opinions have been published, while thoroughly approving of the system of independent control, say that in the details of the work done they do not altogether agree with the commissioners. Several graziers, wool-growers, and large farmers note that they are not quite content with the detail work of the commissioners, though still earnestly deprecating any change. It is still a matter of very great wonder that, considering the class of work done and the general aptitude of the British settler for grumbling, the complaints should be so trifling in their character, and so insufficient to alter the results. For it must be remembered that railway charges, railway attention to complaints, railway civility and courtesy, are matters of vital moment to those whose opinions we are quoting. I'he action of the commissioners enters vitally in many instances into the serious question of a profit or a loss on a whole year's transactions, and the mere fact of there being so few complaints, comparatively speaking, is in itself a perfect certificate of character to the three men who form the board. Making every allowance for certain legitimate mistakes which must inevitably occur, it is hardly going too far to say that the excellent conduct of business by the present commissioners has gone a long way to commend the whole system to the general public. They have in fact established the method of independent control of the railway lines in the affections of the people, who, as Mr J. M. Ritchie put it, have now a " wise distrust of themselves" in matters of railway management. If the commissioners had made serious blunders, had been even accused of bias in their decisions, if they had yielded, however seldom and however excusably, to political influence, the system would certainly have been now condemned; but the most that can be said, and that in obviously partial instances, is that they have maintained rates instead of encouraging production and so forth. When we consider the past history of the whole question, and the theoretical difficulties which lie in the way of giving up direct parliamentary control over the expenditure of public moneys, the present state of feeling seems even move astonishing. That the whole public, in their wise mistrust of thems-

elves, should give up the management of a huge annual sum to three independent men, and at the end of five years be ready and willing to continue their engagement, is a curious instance of the healthy and wise undercurrent of opinion that renders free government possible. For, be it remembered, it is the people, not merely their representatives, who are denuding themselves of patronage; it is the electors who are willing to give up for the general good that sweet power of pressing the claims of their relatives and friends on a political power which is necessarily always more or less malleable to the authority that has created it. The public, in one word, tried the political method of railway management, and found it a bad one; they have tried the nonpolitical method, and have found it a good one. Of course the one weak spot in the present method is the want of control by the representatives of the people of the expenditure of public money; but it seems quite impossible to devise a scheme by which this can be improved upon which will not at the same time give to the Minister of the day an overwhelming authority. So long as the commissioners manage, as they have in the past, with a scrupulous regard to economy, the public will continue to trust and support them. The day that things go wrong, and the commissioners of the day act wastefully or corruptly, the public will have the system itself altered. Meantime, let the Premier put his foot down ever so strongly, we very much doubt if the House will follow him in dispensing with the services of the commissioners. The question should not be, and to a certain extent is not, a party one; and a good many members who support the Government will vote against it on this point. We are far from thinking that railway management cannot be improved. Probably a great deal more might be done to assist settlement by reducing rates for produce from a distance, but this is practically a matter of public policy which ought to be specifically discussed by Parliament, whose decision would no doubt be respected by the commissioners. All over the world experiments are being made in railway management, and with respect to these we can well afford to wait and profit by them if they prove successful and are adaptable to our circumstances. Meanwhile it is quite clear that the country people of the South Island do not want the Railway Commissioners' services dispensed with.

The newly-issued Journal of the " Bath and Weßt" contains a valuable and interesting article by Mr W. Graham, of Eden Grove, on the "Breeding of Draught Horses." From this article we make the following extracts: — THE DRAUGHT STALLION. Whether the male or female parent has the more potent influence over the character of the offspring is a subject on which opinions differ considerably. In the animal world, generally speaking, the male exerts a strong and predominating influence, particularly over the anatomical formation and development of the limbs of the produce; also over the colour and character of the hair with which the body is clothed, and the temperament of the animal. Therefore in selecting the stallion avoid horses that are in any way defective in the relative position and character of any one section, limb, or joint of their fore and hind legs. This ought to be much more studied when stallions are selected for use on mares, than great bulk of carcase and exaggerated action in trotting movements. This latter point many stallion owners seem to cultivate in showing off their animals because the public take a delight in witnessingit. Manybig-bodiedstallions, with badlyformed knees and hocks, round fetlock joints, short and straight pasterns, and small, weak, and contracted heels, can do a short trot or walk in the best of style ; yet, when the relative position and character ot these respective members are examined, they are found utterly worthless I for use and in the stud. Too much importance cannot be attached to the structural development of the legs and feet of any stallion, whatever else the animal may have to recommend him in respect of size, weight of body, or pedigree. The want of proportionate and proper anatb* mical structure in these parts means nothing more nor less than absence of the lasting and wearing utility of the animal for the purposes for which it is required to be produced, and it also indicates deficiency of power. An animal may possess what is in some quarters so much talked of—namely, weight of carcase; but if the bones of the legs are not of the hardest character and the limbs placed in proportionate position, great weight of carcase only renders the bones more sensitive to the -wear of concussion, and the joints less able to respond with ease and activity to the movement caused by the extension or contraction of the muscles of the various limbs when in action. SIZE OF THE DBAUGHT HORSE. The produce of any animal in respect to its size also generally follows the sire rather than the dam. Therefore, in breeding horsos for haulage and draught purposes, size is a great consideration, and in this particular too great height ought to be particularly avoided, as it is generally a consequence of disproportionate height of limb or some other such malformation. About 17hds is the .outside height a stallion should stand, as a properly developed horse of this height can, and does, reproduce colts that when gelded are of great power and substanco; in fact, of quite sufficient size to haul the heaviest weights without any sacrifice of speed. This must be considered a main feature, as the greater the spsed a draught horse C3n walk at, or a van horse trot at, with a maximum weight, the greater its proportionate value. Horses of excessive size also take a larger proportion of food to sustain their power up to its maximum; ami as tho cost of keep is an important item in the economic

value of any animal, it surely must be more useful and economical to employ, say, a pair of single horses that would haul a certain weight at two journeys, rather than three heavier horses capable of hauling the same weight at one journey, even if they took rather less time over the work than the two lighterbodied horses, although in other points equally good. THE TYPE TO BREED FROM. To exemplify the class of living horse it is desirable to breed from, we may take among the Clydesdales such horses as the best sons and grandsons of Darnley, 222, and of Prince of Wales, 673, in particular; amongst the shires such horses as Vulcan, R.R., Royal Sandy, Calwichs Combination — perhaps the finest shire stallion of the present day — and WilLington Boy. The latter, by the way, has a strong infusion of Clydesdale blood in his veins, being twice descended from the Scotch-bred horse Young Lofty, 987, that was some years ago taken down to Gloucestershire, and, after being used there successfully on the local mares, was bought and re-sold to a stallionowner in the neighbourhood of Burton, adjoining Derbyshire, where he was said to be used extensively on the local-bred mares. Willington Boy, as regards his breeding, holds relatively the same position to the shire breed in connecting it with the Clydesdale blood as Prince of Wales, 673, is said to hold to the Clydesdale ; although Willington Boy's breeding shows authenticated Clydesdale blood more strongly concentrated than the breeding of Prince of Wales does that of any shire blood. As the horses named are of public reputation, they may be referred to, in exemplifying the type of sire that it is desirable to breed from, without making any invidious comparisons. Now when a horse; such as Willington Boy, having a strong infusion of Clydesdale blood in his breeding, is so prominently brought before the public as a prize-taker and sire, the question arises whether or not the general breeder — that is, the tenant farmer— of the ordinary dray or agricultural horse or mare should strictly adhere to the defined lines of pedigree shire or other breed stallions ? Or should he, on his ordinary heavy work mares, use horses irrespective of whether they are of distinct shire or Clydesdale blood, so long as the stallions are of that defined type already mentioned, especially when one considers the good results obtained by the breeders of what are supposed to be purebred mares who use as stallions horses with an acknowledged mixture 'of alien blood in tbeir veins ? The answer to this query is obvious. It is, that if the farmer or breeder has what are termed Stud Book mares of either the Clydesdale or shire breed likely to produce stock that will be suitable and profitable to rear as stallions or pedigree mares, he should stick to the line of breeding of the same character as the mare. If, on the other hand, his mares are not suitable for this purpose; or, if he does not intend to incur the expense and risk which breeding the highest class) of stock involves, the wiser course is to select a stallion of the best quality, moderate size, good action, and sound, whether it be Clydesdale or shire. But, above all things, he should avoid the use of a stallion with a big, heavy body (out of proportion to his limbs), and thick, round joints and legs covered with an unnatural development of coarse hair, as this class is a most uncertain breeder, generally throwing stock not only of common description, but with a liability to such hereditary unsoundness as bad hoof formation, side-bones, ring-bones, and spavined hocks. INFUENCE OF SOIL AND CLIMATE. I have briefly indicated the lines that it is advisable to follow in selecting and mating the stud mares and stallions ; but there are other points that are worth taking into consideration, such is the influence which soil and climate exert on the physical development and maturity of horses, as well as on that of stock in general. There can be no doubt that this influence is very potent, and that so-called weight or size of bone is particularly dependent on such circumstances as the nature of the produce and character of the land on which horses are raised. For instance, bring the best class of Clydesdale mares down from Scotland to the rich grass lands of Northamptonshire, or the fens of Cambridgeshire, and the offspring will show a marked difference in character from the original stock, developing a greater size of bone and carcase, although not possessing any material increase of strength over their parents. An instance of this was very clearly indicated in the Whittlebury stud of Clydesdales, which were so successfully bred by the late Sir Robert Loder, and shown by him at all the leading shows of the midland counties, until the fashion was adopted of confining the draught horse section of these shows to what may be called the Stud Book bred shires. The success attending the Clydesdale studs of Lords A. and L. Cecil in Kent, and Sir J. Duke in Sussex, at the south of England shows, where, in mixed classes, Clydesdales and shires still compete together, also indicates that when draught horses are reared under similar local conditions of soil and climate, the very marked distinctive difference thai is observed between a certain section of shire-bred animals and those of a cleaner make and build is lost to a great degree, especially when the animals come to four of five years of aga. Thus, provided the stallion approaches the medium height of between 16ods 2in to 17hds, is about llin in clean measurement below the knee, with hind-leg measurement of 12in or so to correspond below the hock ; possesses good muscular development of thigh and fore arm, with well-shaped and sound feet, and sufficient slope of pasterns, we have an animal suited to breed the most wearing and useful class of draught horse, either for dray or agricultural purposes, and the males of which, when gelded, will develop quite a sufficient weight of carcase. Weight of carcase is supposed to add to the animal's power in the dray ; but if it be too great it tends not only to encumber its speed, but also to render the gelding less useful, by depreciating its wearing and lasting character, and also to make its maintenance more expensive in proportion to the work it can perform. STUD BOOKS. A Stud Book is of no practical use except to those breeders who, by careful study, make themselves acquainted with the historical character of the several animals whoso pedigrees are given, especially when they have not had the opportunity of seeing the animals for themselves. This particularly applies to the registration of the female side of the pedigree, and no mare ought now to be regarded as of a distinct pure type vinless her pedigree can show a record of at least three " top crosses," as they are termed, from the foundation dam. To start the Stud Books many animals were accepted that were by an eligible or entered sire, and this was quite necessary. But now that this has been done and a wide foundation established no further entries of mares should be received unless they fulfil the above-stated condibion. Otherwise the fact of their being recorded in a Stud Book as of one or the other pure and distinct variety or breed may give a fictitious value to animals that would be considered of only a crossbred character— that is, ! an animal which could not be relied upon with a fair degree of certainty to transmit its disI tinclive characteristics, and that these would bo maintained and reproduced with the leaßt

r practicable variation, and without the dange of introducing qualities foreign to the breed The time has now arrived when there should be added to the respective Stud Books an appendix, in which all mares that it would be desirable to eventually introduce into the category of either Stud Book as pure, but the breeding of which did not reach the specified standard, should be entered. These, in course of time, when the required number of recorded "top crosses" had been reached, would be eligible for entry as type or purebred mares in the Stud Book proper. This would not only ensure a greater value to recorded entries, but would also allow individual breeders the latitude, which many desire, of periodically infusing fresh strains of blood into their respective studs, without at the same time materially affecting the value of the purebred stock with which the produce of these animals would probably be ultimately mated.

Chbistchukch, June 8. At a meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association held to-day a sub-committee brought up a report that it was inadvisable that there should be a change in the present system of railway control. The report was adopted. A resolution passed by the Geraldine Acclimatisation Society — that steps should be taken to bring the matter of the small birds nuisance under the notice of the Government, with the view of having the necessary measures adopted to make poisoning compulsory throughout the South Island, if not throughout the colony, on specified dates and for specified periods — was considered. The general opinion was that, while it was necessary something should be done, the differences of weather and other circumstances would preclude the adoption of a uniform time for poisoning. Ultimately a motion was carried affirming the desirableness of an act dealing with the small birds nuisance being passed. A resolution approving of the general principle and purposes of the Land Drainage Bill to be introduced by the Government next session was passed. Some alterations were recommended by a sub committee, and it was decided to forward these to the Government. Sale of Meat at Smithfieid. TO THE EDITOB. Sib,—A few remarks from one who has been behind the scenes will, I think, be acceptable at the present juncture. Whatever may be contended by your correspondents, I maintain and know that great abuses exist, and that the matters touched on in your recent leader were not in the least overdrawn. New Zealand growers have not suffered; for the simple reason that shipping companies, freezing companies, and speculative companies are all competing for their sheep. But once allow a monopoly to be established and they will suffer, as have Queensland and New South Wales. Do the Queensland growers receive the value of their beef ? I trow not. The system of sale at Smithfield cannot be too strongly condemned. Under cover of and protected by a certain metropolitan rule, the consignor can be and' is, in plain words, defrauded. Sheepowners in New South Wales will remember how some years ago, under cover of certain departmental regulations, a number • of firms practised a system of charges by which the Railway department and woolgrowers suffered considerable loss, to the advantage of the firms in question. The matter was brought before the criminal courts, and the defence was "custom" and certain regulations, &c. The prosecution fell through, but public opinion was very decided in the matter, and the abuses were at once discontinued. The system of sale at Smithfield is a corrupt one, and reminds us very much of the system just quoted. Sanctioned by long custom and regulation made by salesmen in their own interests, abuses have grown up to a shameful extent. A price for the day is fixed by certain of the large salesmen, then any meat sold that day "under metropolitan rule " is, under that rule, only quoted to the consignor at " the price for the day," although it may be worth much more and although it may be sold for more. It will at once be seen how easily consignors can be mulcted under such a custom and rule as this. Should the price fixed for the day turn out to be low in face of the supply for the day, it is a_ very simple matter for a salesman to sell to himself or to a nominee "at the price for the day," and resell next day, or even the same day, at an advance. Should any chance a consignor ( question the sale of his meat, he can always be referred to "the price for the day," and be told that as he received that rate he has nothing to complain of. The salesman, if taxed with j having resold at a profit, pleads that he has cut up the carcases, that he has sold to a buyer in debt to him, &c. But this is all subterfuge. The plain fact is that under cloak of the metro- j politan rule the consignor does not receive the actual price for which his sheep are sold. This is plainly shown in the now well-known case of Hennessy v. Hicks, already quoted in your columns. Now my contention is that long custom has hardened the conscience of salesmen to a corrupt system : I contend that all salesmen who sell under metropolitan rule lend themselves to the corrupt system of sale, and take advantage of it—they run with the stream. I contend | further that there must be many salesmen who would gladly assist to reform these abuses, ! and that the sooner this reform is initiated the better for growers. I contend further that beyond the reprehensible system now detailed, and ordinarily practised to a'lesser or greater extent by all salesmen who sell under metro-

politan rule, there is a strong combination or ring which manipulates the sale of meat to its own advantage and to the loss of growers, and which presses to the very utmost all advantages to be gained by the corrupt system of sale at present in vogue. While a system of sale obtains under which a salesman can be both seller and buyer, under which salesmen themselves fix the price for the day, a system which offers a premium to deception, and where salesmen can plunder by longestablished custom and metropolitan ruleskeep back, as was admitted in the Hicks case, £1800 in one year which should have gone to consignors—it cannot be possible to obtain full value for our frozen meat at the other end. This objectionable and, to the grazier ruinous, 6ystem can only be broken up by a Btrong company of graziers and their immediate supporters having the command of a large and continuous supply of meat, and strong enough to resist the combination which without doubt will oppose to the last all efforts made to reform the abuses at present in force. The Home market now must have frozen meat; it cannot do without it. There must be a number of salesmen anxious to push business who would gladly work with a strong company in establishing a better state of affairs. I again repeat, a strong company of graziers and their supporters, affording a large and continuous supply of meat, with the competition which must exist among salesmen, must surely lead to the much-needed reform, and even if higher prices to consignors are not secured, the next best thing will be obtained —viz., lower prices to consumers involving necessary and increased consumption. The writer has not the least doubt as to what he has here put forward, no j matter what may be said by those who have themselves examined into the system of sale at Smithfield and failed to detect the abuses herein described. The consignor is further mulcted in the mode of weighing at Smithfield. All odd ounces are allowed to the buyer, as I well as lib on each carcase, or an average of 81b to every five sheep. Thus a sheep weighing 611b 12oz is returned to the consignor as only 601b. At 4d per lb this alone would come to £52 on 2000 sheep ; while per lb lost over meat sold under metropolitan rule at "price for the day" would tot up to the modest little sum of £250 on a consignment of the same number, or over £300 including the amount lost in weight. If, as I firmly believe, a reformed system of sale would secure 3s a head to the grower, or even if the 33 could be divided with the consumer, it can easily be seen what a reformed system of sale would do for the great meat export trade of New Zealand and Australia.—l am, &c, One Who Knows. Sydney, N.S.W., May 20. !

Sib,—We have heard lately much about the land in this district now being opened up for settlement, and also a great noise made about the extension of the railway to a point called Quakerfield. We have heard something said about the state of the roads here, and settlers have spoken very plainly and told our representative that if our people are to occupy the land the Government must do something to help us by making the roads passable. Ido not know if those who are responsible for the survey of roads through the bush on the south side of Catlins river have examined the formation of the country between the big saw mill and Long Point; but if not, it would be well for the Government surveyor to do so and make his report. I think if that were done they would have no difficulty in finding the best route for the railway, as it would tap the best timber country, and there is an easy grade right through and the deep cuttings would be avoided. But my object in writing is to speak more of the rich and valuable supply of timber growing on both sides of this narrow valley of which I have spoken. And in addition to this natural advantage for the construction of railway and road, I would point out the fact of the existence of a beautiful stream of water which runs right down this narrow valley. I have spoken of the great quantity of timber, but I do not think anyone who has not been through the country of which I speak can form a correct idea of the wealth existing there, and I feel sure if a man with sufficient capital started a saw mill on this stream he would soon find he had a paying investment, as the water power would be much cheaper than steam; and he would have this great advantage, not often to be mot with in connection with the saw milling trade—water carriage, — as there is a wharf within one mile, and the steamer would convey the timber direct to the market. Ido feel that a time like this when men are complaining of the scarcity of employment, and with good reason, that it is a wicked waste to see such a source of wealth ruthlessly destroyed. I .could point out to anyone who would wish to examine the facts I have stated some red pine as straight as a gun barrel, 50ft high before reaching a branch; but I think, Sir, I have stated enough, and I will not trespass more on your valuable space. It has been stated that the route I have pointed out would be many miles shorter to Waikawa, and therefore cost thousands of pounds lees' than by the head of the lake, as I believe proposed by some. And therefore the Government should consider this, together with the prospect of opening up the best timber-producing country, and thereby securing a sure revenue on the outlay of construction. I may be permitted to say that if I can be of service lo anyone in pointing out the facts I have stated ;I will gladly do so, as I believe when these resources are made known prosperity will follow, and we shall have less cause for complaint in the district.—l am, &c, Owake, June 5. Red Pine.

Owake, June 5.