9 Dec, 1907.] 



Examination of Stallions. 



757 



classes conditional on the possession of a Government certificate of sound- 

 ness. The (principle of certification has been so widely accepted, and 

 such a large proiportion of the sires of the State is now certified, that 

 with the inevitable extension of the S3'stem next year it would be no 

 hardship to demand that all stallions at Shows subsidized by the Government 

 should possess the Government certificate of soundness. 



The truth of the statement frequently reiterated by me that it is no 

 uncommon thing for unsound horses to be awarded prizes at Agricultural 

 Shows has been demonstrated during the last fortnight at three shows at 

 least. At two North-Eastern shows the first and second prize stallions 

 had both been previously refused the Government certificate of soundness 

 on account of being unsound from sidebones, and at a Goulburn Valley 

 show the first prize stallion was a recent reject for the Government 

 certificate on account of ringbone.* Hence the necessity of the imposition 

 of a condition bringing all Societies participating in the Government 

 subsidy into line on the point that none but sound stallions shall be 

 awarded prizes at their shows. A show prize would then become what 

 it should be, viz : — a mark of excellence in respect of perhaps the most 

 important attribute of a sire, i.e., soundness. 



Conclusion. 



The contingencies arising in connexion with the initiation of a new 

 scheme such as this, and which has successfully developed in the first 

 season so far beyond anticipations, could not be all foreseen. The experi- 

 ence gained however has been such as to enable me to indicate that before 

 next season the arrangements and conditions in connexion with its con- 

 tinuance can be made much more definite and comprehensive than has been 

 possible this vear. 



I am desirous of recording my appreciation of the excellent manner 

 in which my efforts towards the initation of the scheme have been seconded 

 by my colleagues on the Veterinary staff, Messrs. W. J. Colebatch, B.Sc, 

 M.R.C.V.S., W. A. N. Robertson, G.M.V.C, and Norman MacDonald, 

 G.M.V.C. They have literally sprung from place to iplace during the 

 campaign in order that parade appointments might be kept, and it is a 

 great satisfaction for me to know that the confidence reposed in them by 

 the owners of stallions has been, throughout, such as might have been 

 reasonably anticipated from my previous knowledge of their sound practical 

 ability as experts on soundness in horses. 



Stallion Parades and Shows. 



return showing numbers of each breed examined, certificated, and 



rejected at different centres. 



* Two otlier instances of like character liave since occurred. 



