1868 — Page 212

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPYL-NOT to

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE, LOHI

25

Central Police Barracks, 4th February, 1869.

[386]

The attached statement shows the present state of the Police Horses. Nos. 1 to 9 inclusive are the survivors of the batch that I brought from Calcutta in March, 1868.

They are all sound with the exception of No. 1, who is now under treatment for a slight strain of the suspensory liga- ments of the near fore leg. Of the remaining horses, Nos. 15, 16, 18 and 19 ure unsafe to rida and unfit for further service, I would recommend that they be sold und re-placed by Japanese or Chinese ponies. The latter, being hardier and requiring less attention than horses, are best suited to out-station work, where of necessity they are at the mercy of a Chinese coolie.

The remaining, Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 17 are beginning to be worn out, but can still perform light work on level roads, they are useful at Nos. 1, 7, and Showkewan Stations."

The Central Station stables have been recently improved by substituting a stone floor for one of soft brick. The veren- dah has been closed in with thick mat screens, which protect the stalls from the sun during day and from cold draughts of air at night.

Sickness has greatly decreased since these alterations were made,

The new stable at the East and West Point Stations are, as regards internal arrangement, probably as good as any in the Colony, but their distance from Head Quarters is a serious objection in cases of sudden illness.

The stables at Aberbeen and Showkewan are, as has been frequently reported, unfit for the purpose.

At Stapley no accommodation whatever has been provided. The nature of Police duty renders it peculiarly productive of disease in horses. An animal that has only had patrol work for days has suddenly to go off 8 or 10 miles at a good pace, and that frequently during the hottest time of the day. A walk up and down in the sun for an hour is not a sufficient res torative for an animal that has taken an express 11 miles to this Station and it is unprofitable to Government as well as trying to the horse, not to provide shelter.

I would suggest that a stable be provided at Stanley and Aberdeen, each to contain one stall for the horse or pony attached to the Station and at least one spare stall for the accommodation of horses from Victoria. Until the question of removing the Showkewan Station has been settled, a stable cannot be erected there.

C. V. CREAGH, Deputy Superintendent of Police,

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