Re fort on Inspections, igoy. 



2 3 



with the inevitable extension of the system next \ear 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, ard 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 stillions shall be 

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



Fig. 28. Flexing the hock tu test for spavin. 



it should be, viz : — a mark of excellence in respect of peihaps 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 year. 



I am desirous of recording my appreciation of the excellent manner 

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

 bv mv 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 place during the 



* Two other instances of like character have since occurred. 



