3

    16. One more point connected with the English Thoroughbred, viz: his feet.
They appear to be getting smaller and worse year by year. Veterinary-Captain
Maxwell, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Baluchistan, frequently
brings to my notice how next to impossible it is to keep horses going in a dry
climate and on rocky soil like that which exists in that Province ; their feet break
away until there is absolutely nothing left; it is particularly in this direction
where the Australian so far excels.

Thoroughbred
Australian
stallions.

    17.    During the year under review the Government of India sanctioned the
importation of six Thoroughbreds from Australia, and as usual they entrusted the
commission to Messrs. Krcrouse and Madden. I am perfectly well aware that
this fact does not give satisfaction to other shippers, still I feel convinced that
with three or four different agencies purchasing for us in Australia it would be
certain to lead to competition, and that the result would be that we would not have
the same class of horses we are receiving now for the price paid. Messrs. Krcrouse
and Madden never hesitate to pay a high price to secure a good horse, and as this
is the third year during which selection has been left to them, and that they have
invariably supplied us with the class of horse we require, I am of opinion that the
present is by far the best arrangement that could be made for the purchase of
Thoroughbred Australian sires.

    18.    As will be seen by reference to last year's Administration Report,
Messrs. Krcrouse and Madden were unfortunate during the two first years in which
they bought our stallions, to lose one on each occasion. In order to ensure six
being landed, they imported seven, but I am glad to say, none died. The under-
standing was that I was to be allowed to reject the one I liked least, or to purchase
him at the price at which I am able to buy Australians that have failed on the
Turf in this country. After most carefully inspecting the horses on their arrival
in Madras, I felt convinced that it would be to the interest of Government to take
the extra horse at Rs. 3,500 and to ask them to reduce the number to be imported
from England during 1898-99 by one.

    19.    The following is a description of the horses received :—

    I would ask, can any exception be taken to the above measurements ? Horses
such as these, possessing as they do, blood and power, must prove great additions to
our stallion power. The measurements, I might add, are not fictitious or dealers'
measurements, they are such as are very carefully taken by this Department, and
they err on the right side, for every horse could easily be given 1/8 inch more shank
measurement than is shown above.

    20. The following is a short description of each horse :—
"Red Indian"—by 'Commotion' out of 'Eyrie,' 'Commotion' was by 'Panic,'
who may be said to have sired more good horses than any other stallion in
Australia. "Red Indian" won both the Sale Welter and Winter Handicaps,
both being races 1¼ miles in length.

    "Jericho"—by ' Gang Forward' out of 'Tyropean,' this is one of the best bred
horses of the batch having 'Stockwell' blood on both sides. He is
particularly handsome, full of quality, with good bone, and exactly what is
required as a sire for this country. He won 7 times in Australia, the races
being from a mile to 1 mile 7 furlongs in length. At the last named
distance he carried 8st. 10lbs. He was at the stud in Australia and is
reported to have got some excellent foals.

    "The Turk"—by ' Nordenfeldt' out of 'Plevna.' This horse runs 'Jericho'
very closely in breeding. ' Nordenfeldt' is by ' Musket.' This horse
is still young, but I feel convinced that he will prove to be one of the best
of sires. I consider him quite an acquisition to our stallion power in this
country.