TWO DAYS AMONG THE WAITAKI CLYDESDALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 11

TWO DAYS AMONG THE WAITAKI CLYDESDALES.

"We (Oamaru Mail) are indebted to Messrs Fleming and Hedley for the following report of the sale of noted Clydesdale fillies to a northern breeder :—

Mr James Baxter, from Ohaupo, Waikato, Auckland; has paid another visit to Oamaru to see what he could pick up in the way of Clydesda'es. This is Mr Baxter's third trip to Oaniavu, and always on the same errand. G< neral Fleming was his first purchase, and what a mine of jjwealth he proved, and what champion prizes he won ! Are thf-y not all written in the chronicles of * the owner's stud book ? On his next visit he purchased that famous colt Royal Conqueror, and took him

home to try conclusions with the General ; and toth-ir own surprise the lasfe came out first. You have only to g t one prize at a show to become ambitious to enter for t*o prizes at next show. Not content with two champions Mr Baxter's ambition is to have tho god medal for mar s, as well as horses ; and wifi this laudable end' in view, h^ journeyed from Auckland to Oam iru to buy a clioker. This same Baxter, be it known, " kens weel the difference between a tattie and a lemon." Strange that they all gravitate this way when in search of a< ythicg like a champion. A start was made in the direction of the east. Whether al' tbe wisdom is located in this direction is a moot question, but beyond doubt this is the direction in wh'ch to travel in order to get champion animals of any hived. Exceptions only prove the rule. Tt.e weather was at its worst and tbe ground was at its sloppiest, and therefore nothing could please under these conditiois except bo c. Calling on our way, we met Mr R bert Jackson and asked bim if he knew of anyone wto had a very good two-year-old filly. To bis credit, be it said, he did not push forward his own ; but when asked if he had a prize filly he said " Yes, and a febampion at tbat." An inquiry if she was for sale brought the answer, "Yes, at a price." " How much ? " " Better go and see her." Through mud and barbed wire Mr Jackson took us to see Christina Fleming M'Cormick. After a close inspection of this young champion Mr Baxter suggested that he would like to see a few more two-year-old fillies before deciding. " Quite right," said Mr Jackson. Accordingly we hied over to Mr Joseph Mitchell's, where the two-year-old filly by Renfrew Jock out of Star was paraded. Mr Baxter inquired the price. " Same as Jackson's " "You have had a fine harvest and good prices in this quarter," said Mr Baxter. " Why do you think that ? " " From the price you put on your horses." Two extra good colt foals caught Mr Baxter's eye just at this juncture. " What do you want for either of these foals?" "A long price, "■ said Joe. " Would you take a hundred for the pair ? " " No," was the prompt reply. Time was getting on, and after partaking of "the smallest sensation as is," we bade Jo=eph good-bye, and left behind U9 a grand filly as well as two wonderfully good colt foals.

Retracing our steps, we had another good look at Christina Fleming, and it soon became evident that Mr Baxter had made up his mind that if money could buy, Christina would soon be an exile. " Now, Mr Jackson, name your lowest for the filly ? " One hundred guineas." This did not even stagger Baxter, he merely said, " A lang price, Mr Jackson." "So it is, but look at the filly."

"I have looked well at her, Mr Jackson ; but after hearing the price I must have another look at her to find out where all this value comes from." •« Well," said Jackton, "I'm agreeable to leave the price to Mr Fleming." Tho expert fixed tho price, and, strange to say, buyer and feller were satisfied ; and thus baxter became tho new owner of the renowned two-year-old fil'y Christina" Fleming M'Cormick. Baxter then wanted to buy the colt foal by Wallace, out of Flora M'Cormick, half-brother to the filly; bub Mr Jackson told him tha% in Sir William Bl'Auly he had the b?st blood in the southern hemisphere, and it would take hundreds to bur him— "so don't tempt me any further." The next place of call was Dan'a- always a few good 'uns about, Dan's— and, buyer or nd buyer, you are sure of a hearty welcome. " Tak' oofc the horse, and have a bi'e o' dinner." " Rightum." An hour passed quick in crack and story. "Will you sell the two* year-old filly, Dan ? " " I'll sell anything on the place. I'm needin' money ba ily to stock tbe new farm." "Price?" "Sixty-five guneas." Baxter says that horses hold their well in this quarter and offers lOgs less. " Tho fact is I don't c<re to sell that filly. Buy the yearling colt, full brother to the filly, and save mo putting up a box at Atkinson's." •' Price ? " " One hundrej mid twenty guine s • and I'll back him to be a better torse than Glengyle." B xter wanted a colt foal. We went str»ight to Windsor Park, but tho proprietor was from home, and nothing, of course, could be done. We went across to Elderslie. The stud groom gave all information, but tho ■ mares and foals were a long way from the homestead, and the evening was e-ceping on. " Look in at the Church paddock," said the groom, "and you'll see something tlut will please you." Wo did look in at the paddock, and s w something that did please. There were four fillies in thjt paddock equal to anything in the country. Christin* is good ; well, just so. By this time the shadows were drawing closer, and we had to be in town to send a telegram before 5 o'clock ; so reluctantly we bade these daughters of Lord Salisbury good-bye. Our next outing was to Waitiki North to look at a Prince Victor mare out of the Oamaru Belle, by tho well-known Young Banker (imported), with a colt foal at foot bjr Early Morning 1 . Wo were exceedingly disappointed on arrival. Not with the ins re and foal, but with the owner. The price a^ked was out of all reason ; the price offered was good enough for the best of them. We came away much chagrined, as the morning was bit'erly cold and the journey there and back some 30 miles. Time was the essence of Mr Baxter's visit, and this journey spoiled half a day. To Awatnoa was the next start, and there we saw a sight— foals, yearJings, and two-year-olds. Any breeder that thinks his so ck the best is hereby advised to look down at the youngsters at Awamoa, and if he does not get an eye-opener "write me down an ass." Big money was the order of the day. " I cannot give that money," said Baxter. "But for any sake let's go— the temptation is too strong." By this time it rung 1 o'clock. " Can you go to Mitchell's and back for the express ? " asked Baxter of the cabby. " No, sir." " Can you go to DanM'Gregor's ?" "Yes, sir." "Drive on, then." And within an hour and 20 minutes Dan's filly by Renfrew Jock out of Helen M'Gregor was in the truck at the Oamaru station, bound per express for Lyttelton, en route for Auckland. Mr Jackson was very sorry to part -with Christina, and the last look the writer gob of him wbs on the station looking wistfully after the train, with eyes & little misty. It might have been the east wind ! The writer has seen and felt somewhat similar, and can sympathise over the departure of a "favourite."