Parliamentary Publications. 



263 



the direction of marking meat would be inadequate unless 

 means be taken to distinguish between British or Irish meat 

 on the one hand, and on the other (i) that produced in our 

 Colonies ; and (2) that produced in all other countries and 

 landed here alive, to be slaughtered at the port of debarkation. 



Report by the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the 

 Horse-Breeding Industry in Ireland. [C. — 8651.] Price '^\d. 



This is the report of the Commission appointed by the 

 Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, on July 20th, 1896, to examine 

 upon the methods which should be adopted for the encour- 

 agement and improvement of the breed of horses in the 

 various districts of Ireland. The recommendations of the 

 majority of the Commissioners are summarised as follows : — 



1. That it is desirable for the welfare of the country that greater aid should be given 

 by the State to the industry of horse-breeding. 



2. That a system of registration of stallions, similar to that now in operation under 

 the Royal Dublin Society's scheme, should be established in a more extended form. 



3. That money should be spent in distributing stallions where wanted throughout 

 the country, and giving premiums to private owners of suitable sires. 



4. That substantial premiums should be given to brood mares, especially those 

 between the ages of three and six. 



5. That additional prizes should be given in the early spring to yearlings. 



6. That the encouragement of Hackney stallions should not be continued at the 

 public expense. 



7. That all money devoted by the Government to the encouragement of horse- 

 breeding should be administered by one Department or Body, acting through local 

 bodies, and satisfying local requirements, as far as is consistent with the welfare and 

 improvement of the industry as a whole. 



The minority report, which is signed by five of the 

 Commissioners, concludes with the following suggestions : — 



1. That, in any scheme for the improvement of agriculture in Ireland, the peculiar 

 adaptability of the country to produce every kind of horse, and the importance of the 

 horse-breeding industry, would warrant the making of a separate and substantial grant 

 for its advancement. 



2. That, in the application of this grant, the needs of each class of breeder should 

 be recognised. By giving, say, to the hunter breeder, a thoroughbred, or approved 

 Hunter sire ; to the cart-horse breeder, a suitable agricultural stallion ; or to the breeder 

 of harness horses a Hackney. 



3. That, in the selection of the particular breed of stallion or stallions for each 

 locality, the wishes of the breeders of horses in the locality should be consulted. 



4. That the grant should be applied in purchasing or subsidizing stallions of different 

 breeds to be approved of by a Central Committee ; and to the giving of prizes at 

 county shows for brood mares and young stock the produce of such stallions. 



5. That a list of stallions purchased or subsidized by Government or registered under 

 the scheme of the Royal Dublin Society, be submitted each year by the Central 



