232 



Bcarly fifteen hands, and the same difficulties with regard to the cost 

 of conveyance will still exist. 



A. B. Ventresse, Esq. : (1.) In this direction it appears to me from 

 my experience in the other Islands that trade would be a very small 

 one, and the people in these Islands are more inclined to import from 

 the north, than they would be from Jamaica There will always be a 

 small interchange owing to facilities being better and the Jamaican 

 horse is already acclimatised, but I should not think the trade would 

 bs one to cater for except by the occasional breeder, who might have 

 trade connections in the other Islands. 



(2.) Our horses are small enough now, and if we go into the impor- 

 tation for Polo Ponies I think it will be a great mistake and again oc- 

 casionally the individual breeder might do well to turn his attention 

 to Polo Ponies, providing he has stock suitable therefor, but I think 

 it would be a mistake for the Government to encourage anything m 

 this line at the present time. 



(3.) Mounted Infantry Remounts I think should be particularly 

 encouraged and it is the one hope that should be looked forward to in 

 the future of horse-breeding in Jamaica, my opinion on this is sum- 

 med up in a few words in answer to question 1 and 2. 



C. L. Walker, Esq. : 1 & 2. Larger animals will create a demand. 

 Unforeseen, but good stock will be in demand for the other West 

 Indian Islands, and for remounts, &c., &c. 



Hon. W. Watson : At present our horses are so much run down that 

 a decent selection for remounts could not be had, but the country 

 affords every facility for working up our liors^s into a high class set 

 of remounts, for anj^ rough tropical or semi-tropical countr3\ 



Minute by H. H. Cousins. 



1. There is a demand for racers and draft stock from the other 

 islands. A considerable extension of this trade can be relied upon. 



2. Polo Ponies must be left as a speculation for players who can 

 make a smart Polo Pony out of a £12 animal. 



3. The light cavalry remount is the foundation upon which a revival 

 of our horse-breeding industry must be based. Steps should be taken to 

 impress the War Office with the special and sterling merits of the Ja- 

 maican horse for tropical and sub-tropical work and to try and get terms 

 that would enable breeders here to produce at a profit. 



4. Get the War Office to appoint a local officer to see yearlings and 

 collect and feed on pens } earlings from peasantry. 



8. What are your views as to the secondary advantages of producing 

 larger stock for breeding draft mules ? 



5. C. Burke : 'Ihe breeding of mules in Jamaica seems well able to 

 take care of itself. As an industry it is in a very much more flourish- 

 ing condition than horse-breeding, but as the two must go hand in hand 

 it will be nee ssary when considering the h^rse question to deal with 

 mules also. The demand for mules in consequence of the importance 

 of the banana trade is so great and continuous that breeders have dur- 

 ing the last ten years, been neglecting horses and turning their ener 



