Taxing Stallions.

Mr Pattullo, in a brief speech, moved that a tax be imposed on stallions, with a view to improving the breed of horses in the Colony.

This was seconded by Mr Macfarlane.

Mr Pharazyn spoke against the motion.

Mr Buchanan said that this was a matter which could very well be left to private enterprise. In the Mother Country this had been done, and the result was that she supplied the world with the finest breed of horses.

Mr Dunlop opposed the resolution, but thought that all such horses should be examined by a veterinary surgeon.

Mr Pashby ridiculed the idea of taxing stallions, and said it was as reasonable to propose a tax on bulls. He would move an amendment to the effect that it was not desirable to tax stallions.

Mr Murdoch, in seconding the amendment, said that this was a matter which should be left to the intelligence of the people.

The Chairman ruled that this was not an amendment, and the original resolution on being put to the meeting was lost.

A motion by Mr Hare to the effect that the owner of any entire horse for service, for which fees are charged, be compelled to submit his horse for examination to a Government veterinary surgeon: that the Government veterinay surgeon attend all walking shows held by agricultural and pastoral associations to examine horses, and that a foe of £2 be charged for all examinations and certificates, was also negatived.