WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12347, 18 October 1909, Page 2

WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui has always h-d a leputation for its horces, and many or the best horses ever bred in New Zealand havo first seen th-o light of day en this coast. This is especially co in the way of cross country horses. One of the great features of a cross ©ountry horse is stamina, and cue of the first essentials for a horse to beget or produce offspring with stamina is freedom from hereditary unsoundiiess, and yet you see people breeding either from an unsound mare or from an -unsound horse, and expect to get sound foals. To prevent breeding from unsound horses is a problem that tho Wanganui Agricultural Association has attempted to solve again and again, but has found that individual effort is unavailing and it will only be by united effort of all Agricultural Associations that the desired result can be brought about. At the last meeting of the Agricultural Conference, the subject was discussed and it was decided that the following circular letter be addressed to the various Agricultural Associations by the Secretary of the Conference:— In accordance with the resolutions carried at the last Conference, re veterinary examination of stallions, I have discussed the question with Mr. C. J. Rcakes, Chief Veterinarian, who made it clear to me ho was in full sympathy with the desire expressed by the representatives of the A. and *P. Associations to bring about an improvement in the matter of hereditary urisoundness among horses in the Dominion, though he was still of the same opinion as to the advantages of a system of official licensing as against simple voluntary examinations. But his present staff was so email tliat other work of at least equal importance would have to be neglected if he undertook this year to give effect to these resolutions. Moreover a considerable amount of extra work is being thrown upon him just now in.connection with tn"e re-organisa-tion of his Department, hence he -would suggest that the matter should be allowed to stand over until next year, by which time he trusted to be in a posiion to place before the A. and P. Associations proposals for dealing with the question which he hoped would be practical, effective, and acceptable to all concerned.

I have been requested by the Standing Committee to v/rite to" you asking your views with regard to. this, and inviting any suggestions that you; Executive may have to make as to the best methods to bo adopted to give effect t:> the resolutions passed by the Conference, viz.—

"That the Government appoint Inspectors whoso duty it shall be to examine stallions voluntarily submitted to in em. and give certificates on payment )f £1 If such stallions were proved free from hereditary disease and defective conformation ; the system to be on the lines of the Victorian scheme."

"That tho veterinary inspection of stud, lio"se classes at the Dominion Agricultural Shews hi undertaken by the Department of Agriculture1 ', and that no prize be awarded to exhibitors in such classes unless certified as sound by the qualified Veterinary Officer." "Although the Wanganui Agricultural Association could do nothing to prevent unsound horses being placed at tho disposal of breeders, yet that prohibited them being exhibited at tho. Show, and Show regulation No. 6 stipulates:— Before any prizo bo awarded in Entiro Clashes, Horses will be liable to examination by the Veterinary Surgeon appointed by the Association. The decision of tho Veterinary Surgeon shall be absolutely final and binding on all parties, and .shall not be questioned. The entry by any exhibitor in any of the abovo classes affecte'l, will be deemed an acceptance of tlrs clause. The horse schedule is -well worthy of perusal, as there is a class for every description of honse, from the. diminutive Tom. Thumb pony to the ponderous Clydesdale, and very liberal prizes ara offered in all classes. Schedules may bo obtained by writing to the {secretary, Box 152, or ringing up 222. Entries close on Wednesday,, 3rd November. ;