IMPROVING THE BREED OF HORSES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 10966, 4 June 1903, Page 4

IMPROVING THE BREED OF HORSES.

While onC^ie^subject of horses, it is^not uninteresting to note that the Agricultural Department is issuing to agricultural and pastoral societies, farmers' clubs, and the various branches, of the Farmers' Union copies of the amended Bill providing for the license of stallions and the improvement of the breed of horses in New Zealand. The Bill in its amended form provides that the ,owner of every stallion in-tended-for stud pxirpo'ses shall, not later than June 30 in each year A apply to have such animal examined by a duly qualified veterinary ' sufgeon appointed by the Minister ancLftfrward a fee 'of.oS.3i In, the case of a stallion arriving in the colony after June 30 , the .application shall be made within a 'month ' after arrival. This provision shall- not, r j&pply f ,,.t0 .stallions foaled prior to Marcn 31, 1901. If <on examination any stallion is fr6e fro'm J the diseases mentioned in the schedule, . theSecretary. of Agriculture shall issue a license .^authorising the owner- to nse it £or u -stud purposes. The license shall be in .force until June 30 following, and may be -itransf erred w'^th, the. stallion to any subsequent owner thereof. If the examiners refuse <%q .certify as aforesaid in respect of^aiiy stallion, the owner shall be entitled to a refund ef < one-half of the fee paid. Any question as to the \age | of a stallion 'shall be ppnclusively determined by the examiners on examination. Every owner of a stalUo» who uses the same for st;ud purposes, or allows it to be so , used, without having in his possession a license in respect of that stallion, is liable to a penalty of ,£2O. The owner of any mare intended to be served by any stallion shall satisfy himself that a valid license has been issued 'in respect of such stallion ; and if. he knowingly allows any' marc belonging to him to bo -served by a .stallion in respect of wh^ichno valid r license is issued, he shall be liable to the same penalty as the owner of the stallion. Where the examiners disagree on any matter coming before them, such matter be decided by a d'liy •quaUfip'l vptpiv mary surgeon appointed by the Minister for the purpose, whose decision shall be final. In all other 'eases the decision of the examiners shall, excepting, m the eVent of fraud or, corruption on the part of the examiners, or eitJior of them, be final. An Inspector- a'ppointdd under the Stock Act, 1893, may at any reasonable' time enter upon any land or premises in order to ascertain if the 'provisions of'thfe Act are being complied with, and may require the occupier to' produce any. certificate under this) Act in respect of any stallion the Inspector^ finds on the laud or premises. Every person who obstructs 6r- hinders-an Inspector in the exercise of his powers under -this' section, or who, on demand, fails to product 1 ariy : certificate as .aforesaid, or Who gives false information as to a stallion or- mare,- is liable^to a penalty of .£lO. '■"•''' " -.« <-- x - L< • ' "