CLYDESDALE HORSE SOCIETY

Otago Witness, Issue 3247, 7 June 1916, Page 13

CLYDESDALE HORSE SOCIETY

FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. The fifth annual meeting of the Clydesdale Horse Society of New Zealand was held in j the Otago A. and P. Society's Board Room flton the 31st ult. The retiring president (Mr W. Gardiner, Papakaio) occupied the j chair. I In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the Chairman referred to the fact that the market for Clydesdales had been dull for some two years, but with the welcome rains which had been falling over the country they might look lor an increasing demand for really good animals at satisfactory prices. Already the market being almost bare of supplies, serviceable geldings with size and weight and activity were in keen demand, and members would be well advised in leaving the shipping of entire colts to Australia to the Australians themselves. The market there would be all the better for a little neglect now. It was satisfactory to note that in spite of dull times, the membership kept up, and that at the meeting of the council, held that morning, no less than 27 new members had been elected. He felt that in the more favoured districts which had not been troubled with drought, more members could be secured, and in order that the good work of the society might go on he strongly urged every member to make an effort this year to add another to the roll.

Mr J. A. Johnstone, in seconding the motion, said that the report and the balance sheet were not what they could wish them to be, but he was persuaded that that was almost wholly due to the fact that their best market, Australia, had been practically closed to them for the past two years, owing to the unprecedented drought experienced in the commonwealth. However, the drought in Australia had broken up, and the outlook for those who had not lost heart and who had retained their best animals for breeding and export purposes, was that they would get very fair prices for any good stock they might take over to the other side. New Zealand was a smaller market, but when an outstandingly good entire colt, or a first class four or five year old gelding or a superior filly or mare was put on the market, it commanded good competition and payable prices; but for badly bred animals there was almost no demand. Motor traction had to some extent interfered with the demand for draught horses for city and country wagon work, but he regarded the future prospects for breeding of Clydesdale horsos as reasonably good. If our breeders had the courage and the necessary knowledge and experience to do justice to tho breeding of high class Clydesdale horses, they would come in for their good time. They all regretted that during the year one of the best imported Clydesdale marcs In tho dominion was lost after foaling. Ho alluded to Mr James Patrick's handsome mare, Maggie Young. He also regretted to inform them that Mr William Nicholls, of the Trelawny Stud, near Christchurch, had suffered a great loss by the death at Capetown, of two of the best marcs ever exported from Scotland —namely, the noted Prudence, bought from Mr Robert Park, Erunstane, Porfobello, and Lady Mary, from Mr Ncilson, Haining Valley," Linlithgow. Ho was suro they all sympathised with their enterprising owner, and trusted the loss would not deter him from endeavouring to reolacc thorn. The question of tho appointmont of judges at pie agricultural and other shows was exercising tho minds of a good many of the members of the society. Ho expressed tho hope that during the current year tho committee would use its influence lo see that only men of integrity and competence were appointed. The balance sheet disclosed tho fact that their funds wire at a very low cbb._ Two things •were necessary to put the society on a firm basis. One was tn*S they should all endeavour to enlarge tbe membership, and the other that existing members should pr.'-ve themselves Joyal to the society during this temporary depression of the market by keeping up their own membership. The society had had very many difficulties to

contend against, but it undoubtedly had done excellent work, and was fulfilling in a great measure the objects for which it was formed. Mr C. J. Reakes (Government Veterinary Surgeon), in referring to the depression of the Australian market, said ho was quite sure that things would be better. He did not look on the slight falling off as a serious matter, but as merely a temporary phase. He was quite sure the society was doing a work that was beneficial to the best interests of the dominion as a whole. The motion was carried. # The following office-bearers were elected fo'r the ensuing year, and ;n no case was an election necessary:—President, Mr J. W. Harding, Mount Vernon. Waipukurau ; vicepresidents—North Island : Messrs James Knight, Feilding, and James Grant, Haweraj South Island: Messrs John Boag. Jim., Brookside, Canterbury, and Geo. C. Thomson, North Taieri; couneilmen—Messrs James Grant (Hawera), J. W. Harding (Waipukurau). R. D. D. M'Lean (Maraekakaho), Ernest Short (Feilding). James Gow (Mosgiel), John Shearer (Ashburton), Thos. Muir (Palmcrston), Donald M'Callum (Blenheim) ; auditor, Mr Peter Barr.