BREEDING OF HORSES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19372, 9 July 1937, Page 9

BREEDING OF HORSES

MAINTENANCE OF QUALITY NEEDS OF THE NATION PLEA FOR ENCOURAGEMENT (Special lo the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. "The executive committee has submitted to the Government regulations which it recommends should be adopted in order to put the Remounts Encouragement Act, 1914, into immediate operation. This Act provides for the payment of a maximum subsidy of £ 150 per annum to owners of stallions of approved type, and free from hereditary unsoundness, under conditions specified in the Act, or to be specified in regulations made under the Act. The amount of the subsidies payable to the Government under the Act shall not exceed £4OOO in any one year," stated Mr. J. S. McLeod, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, at to-day's opening session of the annual meeting of racing clubs' delegates. "It is obvious that a pressing need exists for taking immediate. steps to encourage horse breeding in this Dominion, particularly in regard to certain types, generally known as the utility horse, such as hunters, ponies, station hacks, polo ponies, halfdraughts, and all horses that might be used for military purposes. Thanks to the enterprise of studmasters, the thoroughbred and Clydesdale breeds have been maintained at a high standard of quality, though the high values ruling, and the strong demand for draught horses, whether full, half, or' three-quarter, indicates some degree of shortage. Efforts Made in England "The Hunters' Improvement and National Light Horse Breeding Society, which lias been in existence in England since 1885, was established to improve and promote the breeding of hunters and other horses used for riding or driving, and for military purposes. At the annual meeting of that society held in March last, it was reported that the War Office had again renewed its grant of £4500, while the Racecourse Betting Control Board had increased its grant from £SOOO to £6OOO per annum to provide premiums for thoroughbred stallions The society decided to increase the value of each stallion premium from £125 to £l5O, and consequently was able to offer 60 premiums in England and Wales. Fourteen special premiums of £SO each—making an inclusive premium of £2oo—were also to be awarded. The society relies upon voluntary subscriptions to carry on the national character of its wonderful work.

"We have asked the Royal Agricultural Society, New Zealand hunt and polo clubs, and veterinary associations to join with us in our endeavour to impress upon the Government the urgent need for encouraging the breeding of the utility horse in this Dominion. Picnic Race Meetings "At a later stage of the proceedings of this conference you will be asked to support a motion, submitted by the executive committee, which contrives to provide for country picnic races for horses owned, trained, and ridden by amateurs, without their having to be registered under the Rules of Racing, in order to take part in these picnic races.

"This proposal will serve a twofoid purpose in paving the way for recreation for the country dwellers, their families, and friends, and at the same time will arouse their interest in the breeding of utility horses, which is so important for the wellbeing of this Dominion. "I tremble to think of what would be the state of affairs in this country if our oil and petrol supplies were suddenly cut off. The shortage of utility horses for transport and other purposes, caused largely by this country being drained of its best half-bred and other serviceable horses, during the South African and the Great War. is so serious, that a strong lead requires to be given so that we can be ready to meet future happenings with some degree of equanimity. "The disposition of this conference will be to appreciate the action of the Dominion's representatives at the Imperial conference, in stating they are prepared to support at any cost the attitude taken by His Majesty's advisers in defence of the British Empire. It is indeed gratifying that our Prime Minister endorses this Empire attitude. This conference supports the breeding of utility horses as an essential in the mobility of the defence of our country."

AUSTRALIAN FIELD GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES (Elec. Tel. Copyright—Unitod Press Assn.) MELBOURNE, July 8. The acceptors for 'the Grand National Steeplechase to be held on Saturday are: Santa Casa 11.7, Seymour 11.3, Wakerife 10.10, Stobtis 10.2, Last End 10.2, Bermuda 10.1, Character 9.13, Lady Madge 9.12, Monkey Tricks 9.10, Cape Lilock 9.10, Kennamon, Montagis 9.9, Tongalla 9.7, Rehaboam, David's Legacy, Howrath 9.5.