CHATS WITH THE FARMERS.
By Lincoln.
A CHAT WITH MR R. GAWN, DEER PARK, TAIERI.
To lovers of the Clydesdale horse, a visit to the Deer Park stud is a pleasure not to be forgotten in a hurry. Deer Park, the property of Mr R. Gawn, is situated near Mosgiel, on the famous Taieri Plain. The property, consisting of about 500 acres, is divided into three farms, two of which are worked by sons of Mr Gawn, the third farm being under the personal supervision of Mr Gawn himself. The greater part of the farm at the present time is under glass, and is grazed by both sheep and cattle. The rapidity with which the spring grass comes away on the farm makes it most suitable for the raising of fat lambs.
Though the Deer Park stock have not been seen much in the show ring these last two years, Mr Gawn is by no means forgotten as a breeder of first-class Clydesdale hordes. Among the stallions, the first to be noticed is that well-known grand old horse Lion King, considered by his owner to be indeed the king of the stud. To those few readers who are not acquainted with the King, it might be well to say that he is a beautiful brown, now grown rather coarse with age, and though by no means second-class to look at, he has proved himself much better as a stock-getter than he was as a show horse. He is at present in very low condition, and in giving a detailed description of him it would be impossible to do the good old horse justice. Lion King is by British King (imp.), dam Scotch Annie (imp.), and was bred on the farm.
Hatfield, by Lord Salisbury, dam Emerald 11, by Banker, is a nice six-year-old, brown horse with four white stockings, and though small, he is full of quality. He has model shoulders and quarters, and ribs considerably wider sprung than a great many much bigger horses. A colt by this horse, sold at the Awamoa sale, has since taken a first and champion prize in Australia.
Silverstream, by Lord Salisbury, dam Duchess 11, by Sir Colin, is a horse which has left a name for himself in the Clutha district, where he has been travelling of late. He is an aged horse, a dark brown, with three white legs, a good chest and massive sloping shoulders, but at present is quite out of condition. On the farm there are now five two-year-old colts by Lion King and the Lion King horse, King of Quality. These colts are a forward, promising lot, likely to develop into fine horses. Of the two yearling colts, one by Hatfield is a big promising youngster with good quarters, well sprung ribs, good sound legs, and fine feather. The other yearling, by Lion King out of Pride, by Salisbury's Pride, is an exceptionally big yearling. He has good shoulders, well sprung ribs, good roomy quarters, grand legs and pasterns, and is a bright red bay in colour, with four white legs.
The first of the mares is that well known mare Queen of Quality, by Lord Salisbury, dam Jess, by Ivanhoe. Queen is a big roomy mare, and carries her age well. She has in all taken 14 first and 7 champion prizes.
The next mare is Pride ; a long low-set mare, with excellent legs and fine silky feather. She was first and champion at the Taieri Show aŤ a four-year-old, and has only been once shown since, when she was not placed, being quite out of condition at the time. Pride has a foal at foot by Lion King.
Blanche 11, by Lord Salisbury, dam Blanche, by Prince, is a mare which was formerly well known in the show ring, where she has taken many prizes. She is an exceedingly well-topped mare, and stands on a good set of legs. Her foal is by Sir Colin.
The next to be noticed is Dina, by Lion King, out of Duchess 11, the dam of the stud horse Silverstream. As a two-year-old Dina gained first prize at the Dunedin Show. She is of the same roomy stamp as her companions, which, with their stock, have helped so much to give the Taieri Plain its good name for Clydesdale horses and to establish a reputation for quality and character known throughout Australia and not unknown still further afield. Dina has a filly foal by Hatfield running with her, her offspring being the most promising youngster of the season.
The last brood mare is Nellie, by Auchmore, out of Scotch Annie, the dam of Lion King. Nellie is a bony bay full of quality, and as active as a kitten. Nellie's foal is another good one by Hatfield. As a stock getter it is evident Hatfield has only to be known to be valued. In another paddock 10 good two-year-old fillies are running. A bay filly by Lion King out of Pride is a most promising one, as also is a grey filly by the same sire. The yearling fillies are both by Lion King and do the old horse credit.
At Deer Park the number of animals available for work in comparison with the area of the farm under cultivation is quite unusual for the colonies, and it is evident that the majority of them must prove very profitable to their owner as stock getters, and tend to materially raise the quality of draught stock in Otago.