5
many of the faults in conformation which she possesses. Having accomplished
this, we can then have one or two strains of backney blood to give the mare
size of barrel, so essential to the carrying of a foal. Having succeeded in this,
we have our brood mare, and then Arab or thoroughbred blood should be con-
tinued with, in order to get horses suitable for Army purposes.
The Hackneys that we would require would only be one or two a year, but
as we have such a large number at present, viz., 34 per cent. of our total strength,
I feel it will be some time before we require any.
30. I shall have more to say on this point, but shall defer doing so
until remarking on "Stallions which produce the most suitable stock for the
Army."
Thoroughbred
Australian.
stallions.
31. During the year under review, the Government of India sanctioned
the importation of 6 thoroughbred Australian stallions, and as in 1895-96, the
commission was entrusted to Messrs. Krcrouse & Madden, who had supplied
us so well on their first commission. I am pleased to be able to report that
there has been no falling off this year: in fact I am of opinion that the stallion
"Realm" was better than any we received last year, and had the Firm not
unfortunately lost "Baratta," three days after landing in Madras, we would
have had a great addition to our thoroughbred strength in this horse.
32. In my last Annual Administration Report I gave the terms of the
agreement entered into with Messrs. Krcrouse & Madden, and I pointed out
how advantageous they were to the Government of India, including, as they do,
the landing of the horses at the shipper's risk, and their inspection by me
within one month of landing. I further pointed out that the Firm lost one
stallion shortly after landing him at Madras, and I regret to say that exactly
the same thing occurred this year. Three days after landing, "Baratta" died
from acute pneumonia. Although the Firm is quite willing to meet the
wishes of the Government of India, they have asked me to represent that the
terms of the agreement are very hard. They are quite willing to accept the
terms and to incur the risk of bringing them over as they are able to cover
this by Insurance, but they ask that if the horses are landed in good condition
that they should then be at the risk of the Government of India. I consider
that this is quite fair, and I shall be prepared, when soliciting Government
sanction to the importation of Australian stallions for next year, to recommend
that this change should take place.
33. The following is a description of the horses received:—
Marble
.
.
.
.
.
Finis .
.
.
.
.
Orion
.
.
.
.
.
Realm
.
.
.
.
.
Dunfish
.
.
.
.
.
Age, years.
7
8
6
9
6
Height.
15-3
15-2¼
15-1½
15-2
15-3
Girth.
70
70
72
74
72
Shank.
8
8
8
8¼
8
34. The above measurements speak for themselves. It is impossible to
obtain better horses or horses more suitable to this country, and I would like
to receive many more of this stamp. I am, however, of opinion that it will be
well to develop this market very quietly; if we attempt to obtain too large a
number at once, we would very likely not only reduce the standard, but in all
probability we would increase the price: this is what has led me not to con-
sider the advisability of recommending to Government that other shippers
should not be asked to bring stallions over. Messrs. Tulloch and Hunter are
anxious to do so, but whilst Messrs. Krcrouse and Madden do us as well as
they have hitherto done, I consider it would be a wrong policy to allow compe-
tition to spring up in Australia.
35. The following is a short description of the five horses landed by
Messrs. Krcrouse and Madden this year, and in doing so, I would remark
that I am not an advocate for racing blood in the usual acceptance of the term,
but at the same time I am strongly in favour of horses that have proved on the
Turf that they are stayers and, at the same time, weight-carriers.
"Marble" by "Marvellous" out of "Elsie"—"Marvellous," going back
on sire's and dam's side to "Touchstone," "Elsie" being by "Grand Flaneur"
by "Yattendon." This horse won many races in Queensland, and amongst