JO July, 1909.] Government Certification of Stallions. 



451 



.amongst ponies — 17.58 per cent, as against 8.41 per cent, last year. On 

 the other hand, the rejections of draughts this year under this head have 

 -only been one-liaif (4.59 per cent.) what thev were last year (8.9^ per 

 cent.). This latter circumstance is to be regretted for I feel convinced 

 that with the present activity in draught horse breeding, unless weeding 

 out of " Scrubber " sires takes place the State will, before many years, be 

 loaded with an undue proportion of low type draught horses and that 

 -consequently prices, as well as the reputation of the State in this regard, 

 will suffer a decline. It is therefore earnestly hoped that the appeal made 

 in my last report for the adoption of means whereby there may be effected 

 .a more radical "culling" on the ground of inferiority of type will not 

 be ignored. As then emphasized, it is not desirable, and most likely would 

 not be acceptable to the country, that the veterinary staff should undertake 

 the duty of selection in this regard. The requirement is for rejections on 

 this score to be made by competent experts on the judging of the various- 

 breeds of horses — men in whom the l>reeding public would have the same 

 confidence as they have shown in the veterinary staff on the matter of un- 

 -soundness. 



For the purpo.ses of comparison, the table giving an analysis of the 

 defects for which certificates were refused for 1907 is given below that 

 for 1908. 



ANALYSIS OF DEFECTS OF HORSES REFUSED CERTIFICATES, I908. 



