MR ROBERT GAWN'S CLYDESDALES.

The sustained demand for New Zealand bred draught horses on the part of buyers for the Australian markets, while taking from the colony vast numbers of superior animals, has stimulated breeders to renewed efforts, and undoubtedly there is a revival of the old desire to breed really high class heavy draught horses. It is already felt that animals of this description are scarce, and further that in the near future we shall have barely sufficient to meet the requirements of the country. Many breeders aver that too many good mares have been sold for exportation, and that before long the consequences will be severely felt ; others again maintain that the best mares have been retained, and therefore there is still sufficient material in the colony to renew the stock of superior animals. The discussion of the subject recently suggested a visit to Mr Gawn's stud farm, and the following notes taken on the occasion will prove perhaps more interesting just now, as Mr Gawn intends to follow the example of Home breeders by selling annually on stated occasions choice stud animals. Mr Gawn's name as the owner or breeder of the very highest class of draught horses is so widely known that observations on the subject are unnecessary ; therefore the remarks suggested by an inspection of the sires and mares, many of whom will be submitted at Tahuna Park on the 7th prox., the occasion of the first draft sale.

As a matter of course, Lord Salisbury, the oft time champion, was first inspected. The wonderful form and substance of this horse are so well known that it is only necessary to say of him here that he never appears to age in the least, but continues as youthful in appearance and as active as he was years ago. The four-year-old Good Hope, winner of the first prize in the class for three-year-olds last year in Dunedin, has grown amazingly, and developed into a grand horse. Although a little backward in condition because of a slight accident, he is in fine form, for examination, and one can immediately observe the true symmetry of this fine animal and the great development of muscle ; for it is muscle, not fat, that is on him now. When looking at him, and with the successes of New Zealand draught sires at Melbourne and Sydney in mind, one could not help regretting that Good Hope was not there. In adjoining boxes are two two-year-olds. One — Young Conqueror, by Lord Salisbury; dam, Scotch Annie (imported) — won second prize as a yearling at Dunedin last year, and has grown into a first-class colt, with splendid bone and hair. The other colt— Auchmore, by Lord Salisbury, and bred by Mr Campbell, North Taieri — shows great substance, with good flat bone and abundance of hair. Two colt foals running in a paddock well deserve notice. One —Young Ivanhoe ; dam, Maggie Bell and sire Lord Salisbury bay in colour— is great in forehand and chest, grandly topped, good in the quarters, well let down in the thighs, and must grow into a massive horse. The other colt foal— a bay, by Lord Salisbury; dam, Scotch Annie— is small, having refused to suck the mother ; but if small, he is as broad as he is long, and is absolutely  faultless in shape. In another year or two he will be a hard nut to crack in the show ring.

BROOD MARES AND FILLIES.

Of the brood mares the first to claim attention was Scotch Annie, first prize and champion mare Dunedin 1882, and again last year. Scotch Annie (346 N.Z. Stud Book), imported from Scotland, was bred by J. Craig, Esq., Dundee. Her sire was Ivanhoe 2nd, bred by S. Fleming, Esq., sire Ivanhoe 1st, by the celebrated Sir Walter Scott (797), and who was grand sire of the famous Prince of Wales. Scotch Annie's dam Lilly won many prizes in Scotland, as did her grand-dam until the latter was debarred from competing. Scotch Annie has well maintained the prestige of her lineage, as she is the dam of the following prize stock-- viz.: Nelly Ivanhoe, the property of the Hon. M. Holmes, Maggie Bell, Good Hope, Young Conqueror, and others. Mr Gawn obtained 300sovs for Nellie Ivanhoe, and 100sovs for her filly. Nelly was first in the mares class at Oamaru last year. Scotch Annie is the foal to Lord Salisbury. Maggie Bell, the mare next inspected, is full sister of Nelly Ivanhoe, and also a prize  winner. This is a grand mare, look at her as you will, and keeps her form well though daily at work. She is in foal to Lord Salisbury. Pride's Darling is a bay mare, bred in Victoria and by Cox's Pride of Scotland, dam Fanny, by Bothwell (imp.), g dam by George Buchanan (imp.). This mare has proved a success at the stud, and is now in foal to Good Hope. Another grand mare. Young Fancy, was also imported from Scotland, and was bred by Mr Conbrough, Crichton. Her dam was by Old Samson, her sire, Druid (420), sire of grand dam, Old Campsie. Young Fancy is in foal to Good Hope. Duchess 2nd is a fine specimen of a local bred mare. Her colour bay, and she was bred by Mrs D. Grant, West Taieri. Her dam, Duchess; sire, Sir Colin (imp.); g. dam Gentle, by Emperor— Gentle, out of Betty by Old Champion. Duchess 2nd was first and champion at Milton, and her progeny cannot be beaten. She is now in foal to Good Hope. Laura, a brown mare by Young Clyde (imp.) — dam Duchess 2nd has given proofs of great merit having won many prizes at the Milton and Taieri shows. Laura is in foal to Lord Salisbury. Bell— a roomey  bay mare by Vanquisher (imp.) — is in foal to Good Hope. Another excellent brood mare Jess, colour bay, sire Ivanhoe (113 N.Z.5.8.), dam a Tasmanian bred mare is in foal to Lord Salisbury. Gipsy, a powerful roan .mare by Sir Colin (imp.) — dam imported from Tasmania, is also in foal to Lord Salisbury. Notable among the fillies rising 3years is Queen of Quality, bay with white face. This filly was second in her class at Dunedin last year, after a severe struggle for first place. Another filly unnamed and of the same ace will be very hard to beat this year, being uncommonly wide and muscular. Queen of Quality is by Lord Salisbury — dam Jess by Ivanhoe, and the unnamed filly is by Lord Salisbury— dam Maggie Bell, g dam Scotch Annie. A Very promising bay filly, Miss Palmer, rising 2yrs, is remarkable for fine flat bone, with flowing hair. Her sire, Lord Salisbury, dam Duches 2nd. This filly was first at Milton and second at Dunedin last year.

In concluding this notice of Mr Gawn's stock it is necessary to add that he avoids the forcing system. Scarcely any of the animals were, in anything like show condition, and the brood mares are without exception good workers. As will be seen at Tahuna Park, Mr Gawn relies more on the inherent merits of the animals for attracting approval than on superfluous condition.