History: Biraganbil

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1899

15 September 1899
The Cursed Fox.
It is two years now since the pioneer fox of the Mudgee district was shot by Mr. C. Paine at the wallaby drive at Biraganbil. Has anyone seen the tracks of any more of these undesirable visitors? We notice that in some districts they are largely on the increase. From Corowa we hear that a contractor living eight miles from the town brought in eight skins, and a few days previously a vigneron killed three foxes about a mile from the town1 .

1909

Biraganbil sale Mudgee Guardian 2 November 1909, page 4

2 November 1909
BIRAGANBIL ESTATE.
Attention is drawn to the large advertisement appearing in our business columns, in connection with the sub-division sale of portion of the well-known Biraganbil Estate. As will be seen by the advertisement about 6000 acres are to be sub-divided into 12 farms, ranging from 100 acres to 1400 acres. Biraganbil Estate is situated about six miles from Gulgong, and is highly improved, ringbarked and well watered. A large area of the land is specially adapted for wheat growing, and a number of the blocks are all cleared and ready for the plough, and several areas have already been cultivated with exceptionally good results, while others are suitable for dairying. A number of the farms have large frontages to the Cudgegong River, Piambong, and other creeks. The sale will be conducted by Messrs. Harrison Jones and Devlin, Ltd. (Sydney). in conjunction with auctioneer D. H. Spring (Gulgong), at Gulgong, on Wednesday, 24th November, 1909. Lithographs and further particulars on application to the auctioneers. Buyers will be driven over the property by giving a few days notice2 .

1915

31 March 1915
THE TURF: NOTES AND COMMENTS.
BY 'MILROY.'
Biraganbil.
MR. J. B. REID was an unconscious benefactor to Australia or, rather, afforded Australian stud-masters a splendid opportunity to profit by his judgment - when he sold out his splendid stud, which he formed at Elderslie (New Zealand) for the purpose of breeding thoroughbreds for the market from English stallions, English mares, and the very pick of the New Zealand Stud Book. But it did not take him long to discover that breeding for sale in a totalisator country was a delusion and a snare, and he sold out at the first good opportunity. His three stallions - as 1 have had occasion to remark more than once - came to Australia. They are Charlemagne II., Varco, and De Gama's sire, Vasco. One of the Charlemagnes sold at his break-up was Carlita. Judges of blood stock will have some excellent opportunities of overhauling the progeny of Charlemagne II, and Varco at the coming sales, and if they are not satisfied with the exhibits it is impossible to please them. Varco was purchased by Messrs. Leslie and Herbert Rouse, the owners of Biraganbil stud, and at the same time they secured Couronne, with Carlita a foal at her side. Couronne would have made an excellent mate for Varco, but she died. Her death made a great difference in the fortunes of these two young stud-masters, for had they but a colt by Varco out of her, and a good one to look at, there would have been some good bidding round the ring. However, there will be some attractive Varcos from Biraganbil paraded, also a splendid chestnut bred by Mr. W. F. McDonald at Wambo, and Thompson Brothers have a good one out of La Siesta. The Varcos are all good doers. They will, in fact, live on 'the smell of an oil rag.' At first they fight like fiends, but when they settle down they are most docile horses. I think it will be agreed that a Biraganbil-bred son of Varco out of Adria is a top-notchcr. His dam is a highly-connected mare, and the dam of a good winner. Messrs. Rouse bought her at Mr. Reid's sale. She is of the same family as Beresina, and is by Stepniak. Her colt is a most powerful fellow, and as healthy as a sandboy. Evidence of his invincible digestion is most apparent. He has a marvellous barrel and quarters, splendid muscular development, and a perfect set of flat-boned legs. A colt out of Felicia - one of the best of the old Biraganbil breed, by Grafton from Melissa, by Marvellous - is another stout-built fellow, with a great set of loins and legs. When he has finished racing he will be an ideal horse for station work, in the production of saddle horses. He is a masculine horse, likely to get them in his own style and invest them with courage and fire, without which the saddle horse is worthless for military or other work; and as long as we breed such horses as he, and use them for station work, the 'waler' will still hold his place as the premier military horse of India and also, may add, among Germans, who took many shipments from here, and declared them to be superior to the best Irish. Messrs. Rouse have a very substantial and shapely colt, good-tempered and as hard as steel, in a bay by Linacre out of Lady Fucile, by Fucile; and a solid bay colt, a real dual-purpose horse, by Varco out of Bribe, by Fortunatus; also a brown colt by Varco out of St. Margaret - a New Zealander, by Souit - who is all quality and appears to be a very speedy customer.

About Riverina.
THE Riverina, or, in fact, that lengthy and wide belt of choice land bordering the railway between Goulburn and Albury, is rightly claimed to be of the highest class for grazing purposes and in the production of both sheep and big stock. The Riverina men declare their sheep to be the best in Australia, and I have seen cattle at Betty Jerry, Ganmain, and Abingdon fit to exhibit beside the nest that could be produced from anywhere, but though this fine country has been noted for its responsive character and wealth-production, and has been proved first-class for the rearing of horses, very few thoroughbred studs have been established thereupon, or, at least, few when compared with the north. In the long ago the Bowlers bred splendid racehorses from mares of doubtful origin, and down in one of the driest parts of it the late Mr. Mat Devlin turned off scores of winners by Sunrise: and Mr. W. H. Mate has proved the mettle of the Tarcutta pastures with his many winners by Ibex, yet southern squatocracy have given comparatively small attention to the production of racing stock for the market. In the catalogue compiled by Messrs. William Inglis and Son and H. Chisholm and Co. appear the names of exactly 99 breeders, and in this lengthy list only five hail from the Riverina, and these are Messrs. A. S. O'Keefe, of Yamma; W. H. Mate, of Tarcutta; J. J. McGrath of Wattle Vale; the Brocklesby Stud; and H. and G. Main, of Retreat, near Bethungra. Mr. O'Keefe, the owner of Bright Steel, is the youngest of this quartette; and Messrs. Main began, I think, shortly after the break-up of Durham Court stud, where they purchased Delta, from whom they bred that sterling little horse Tofua. Messrs. Main were regular buyers at local sales for a time; then they purchased their stallion Featherstitch, a son of Ayrshire and a Galopin mare, from his importer, Mr. J. N. Hart, and, being satisfied they had secured a horse of good promise, they commissioned Mr. W. A. Allison to buy them a batch of mares in England), and he secured them Necktie, Flower of the Field (by Winkfield), Fleet-street (by Speed), Woodshade (by Mackintosh), a filly by Common out of Rubber, a filly by Collar out of Lady Evandale, Suffer (by Rightaway), and Gorbio (by Marco). With this lot came Limelight, whom we all know so well.

Related to Traquette.
IN their first season with Featherstitch Messrs. Main bred Tofua, and other winners; in fact, this horse is the sire of Hazel H., Featheredge, Ardrossan, Knit, and Dainty Girl, who with others have won him between four and five thousand in stakes, and if appearances go for anything the present lot of yearlings by him will add
Chestnut Gelding, by Mooltan - Amboise, by Stepniak. Bred by J. Samuel, at Cookamidgera.
Bay Filly, by Persian Knight (imp.) - Josephine, by Beauchamp (imp.). Bred by D. U. Seaton, at Merton.
Brown Filly, by Charlemagne II. (imp.) - 'Cello, by Splendor (imp.). Bred by T. Payten, at Oakleigh, greatly to his prestige and position among winning stallions. A grey filly by Featherstitch out of Kindamindi is a beauty. I liken her very much to Traquette for general style, and she is related to that racing wonder in many ways. Her dam is by Grafton out of Mrs. Grundy (5), by Wallace from Duenna, by Lecturer from Signora, the dam of that great racehorse Cardigan. Mrs. Grundy is a three-part-sister to such a racehorse as Amberite, and her dam produced such racing history-makers as Flintlock, Aeetine, Remorie, and the dam of George Frederick. The yearling inherits the Sappho colour from Lecturer, one of Sappho's three great sons. Traquette is a descendant' of Sappho through Lecturer's half-sister, Nellie, and this filly is a sister to Featheredge, a good performer in Queensland. She is a lengthy, big filly, with plenty of rein and great liberty of action. She is at her best when on the move, and is a very fine individual. A filly of the opposite type, one of the Tofua sort, in fact - is a queenly chestnut by Featherstitch from Suffer, an imported mare by Rightaway from Salt Tears, by Amphion from Saltire, by Bend Or. She belongs to the same family as Cranbrook, Goldsbrough, Nordenfeldt, and Robinson Crusoe, and her filly has a double cross of Bend Or and Hermit to nick with the Ayrshire and Galopin in Feather stitch. The youngster is a beautifully-turned animal, with a perfect frontpiece. Doubtless more than average attention will be paid to a picturesque little sister to Goldenmore, and therefore a half-sister to that top-class racehorse Newry. This charming filly is low to the ground, is a model of symmetry, and strong enough to carry 16 stone. There is not a cull among the nine Featherstitches at Retreat. They all have something good about them; also a filly by Bright Steel out of Cymbal, a Correze mare belonging to the Atholine family, which has given us a long list of winners. This filly is a true Bright Steel, neat, racy, and ladylike.

Various Lots.
The Brocklesby stud, which was originally established by file late Dr. Spooner Hart with a fine shipment of English mares and a few select Australians, sends in a dozen yearlings this year. They are all by Dr. Hart's importation, Cyrus, a representative of the same family as Sir Foote and a son of that great stallion Cyllene, who represents, the Bend Or, Isonomy, and Hermit lines, while the dam of Cyrus has the Galopin-Wisdom cross and runs back to a sister to Vedette, by Yoltigeur. Another successful breeder, Mr. William Brown of Segenhoe, sends in 10 youngsters, and eight of them are by his imported horse Tressady, a fine son of Persimmon and a good English performer. Mr. Brown has bred many winners, but has been most successful with the descendants of his imported marc Chand Bee Bee, from whom he raised the Melbourne Cup winner Piastre, as well as Haw Bee (Summer Cup), Bee Bee (Maribyrnong Plate), and Chantress (Newmarket Handicap). One of this breed in his lot is a bay colt by Mountain King out of Bee Bee, by Haut Brion; and his more than useful stallion Duke of Melton is responsible for a sister to that smart filly Loved One, who is out of a three-parts sister to Piastre. Among the Tressadys are a half-brother to Garlin, a half-brother to Regular Hours, a half-sister to Vanity Fair, and relatives to Sweet Malt, Phagocyte, and Headwind. Mr. Joe Brown, of Saxon Vale, near Muswellbrook, who from his small stud has bred such prominents as Saxonite, Karanaud, Patronatus, Merrimee, and Patrimony, has described four yearlings, headed by a filly by Earlston from Anna. a half-sister to Karanaud and Saxonite, by Positano from Carronade, a half-sister (by Grand Flaneur) to Alawa, and there is a half-sister to Merrimee and Patronatus in a filly by St. Alwyne.

More Poseidons.
MRS. C. E. CORY, of the Paterson River, has two fillies by Knight light and En Garde to offer at the sales: and Mr. T. V. Dangar - who has got together a well-bred bunch of mares - has a half-brother to that consistent winner Hymeneal. He is by Knightlight, and there is a colt by Riding Master out of Caneebie, whose dam is a sister to the dam of Flaxen, and a colt by Riding Master out of a sister to Silver Lad, by Ayr Laddie, is bred to gallop. With them are a colt by Poseidon from Lady Hoyden (1), an imported mare by Halma; a colt by Poseidon out of that reliable Ayr Laddie mare The Maze; a filly by Knightlight out of Mollinda by Lochiel; and a filly by Earlston from Blue Wind (3), a beautifully bred True Blue mate. That cast iron son of Maltster Maltchester will be represented by a couple of yearlings bred by Messrs. W. A. Gardiner and E. A. Shiel, and both are out of highly connected brood mares, to wit, Miss Splendor (3), by Splendor from Diana, by Goldsbrough; and Grand Vitesse, a winner, and a sister to Heiro, by Ruenalf, Mr. K. A. Shiel has a colt by Poseidon from Graceton, and a filly by Poseidon from Helen Thomas (imp.); a filly by Poseidon from Pasadena, a very handsome Havoc mare; and a filly by Poseidon from Vernicle, a sister to Soultoria, by Soult. Mr. T. A. Harris, of Holbrook, Widden, is down to supply four yearlings, including a filly by Cooltrim from Cover Over, an imported mare by Veronese.

Bright Steel Yearlings.
MR. A. S. O'KEEFE, of Yamma, owner of Bright Steel, sent the first of the yearlings he bred for market to Sydney. He had only two, but that smasher Athenic was one of them. I think he sold his next lot in Melbourne; but this time he has a party of twelve on the Inglis catalogue, and nine of them are by Bright Steel. Among the three exceptions is a sister to Volsloane, no less, a magnificent racehorse whom we lost to India; and there is a filly by Vaseo, sire of De Gama, out of Maureen, a granddaughter of Idalia the dam of Sir Modred, and ancestress of a host of notables. The Bright Steels are all out of beautifully bred mares, and if they are but fair to look at they are likely to command a good market in Sydney among locals and Queenslanders, who know something of the quality and speed of the Bright Steels. Mr. George Osborne, of Foxlow, has been a breeder of blood stock for well over forty years, and has turned out quite his share of winners; but it is some time since his name has appeared as a contributor to the yearling series. He has three yearlings - a half-sister to Currandooley, by Fighting Furley a filly by Sir Laddo from Greeba (a sister to the flying Kirry. who was the dam of two fliers, Zilka and The Owl); and a half-brother to Dunhaven, by Sir Laddo from Gerig, a sister to the dam of Wyadra and My Best. Dr. Ewan Fraser has several attractive yearlings by Ballantrae, a brother to Downshire, out of well-bred mares. These were all bred at Tom Payten's stud farm near Canowindra and Tom Payten's two sons have sent in a few from the same place by Ballantrae and Melodrama, and one by Fortunatus. Among Mr. John Samuel's Mooltans, bred at Cookamidgera, is a very handsome chestnut gelding out of Amboise, a Stepniak mare and a sister to the dam of Artillerie; and Mr. D. U. Seaton, as usual, has a nice lot of youngsters in his name. These, to my eye, are headed by a very shapely bay filly by Persian Knight from Josephine (2), by Beauchamp from Auricula, by Abercorn from Aurelia, by Musket. She is a model of symmetry, with beautiful lengthy shoulders. Another of Mr. Seaton's, and a very attractive youngster, is a black colt by Kenilworth out of Widden Lass (by Maltster), who runs back to Abercorn's dam. Widden Lass is the dam of Rose o' Merton and Fortrait both good recent winners. A relative to the Josephine filly, and a shapely individual, is a brown filly by Persian Knight from Maltster Lass, a sister to Ballenger, by Maltster from Josephine; and one that ought to quickly return his purchase money, if he lives up to the records and traditions of his family, is a brown colt, a brother to Lady Linacre, by Linacre from British Rule, by Gossoon.

First Marlboroughs.
MR. J. H. BETTINGTON, of Terragong has three colts by his imported horse Marlborough, who, a friend informs me, will challenge the best they can bring forward by any particular stallion for size, shape, and racing character. I recollect them as beautiful foals, particularly a chestnut colt out of Feverish, a near relation to Flavinius, by Fluvus from Febrile, by True Blue from Malaria, by Goldsbrough. The first of Mr. Bettington's trio is a bay colt out of Rubber Core, by Flavus from Blue Black, by True Blue, and he is a descendant of Fisher's famous importation Marchioness. Mr. J. H. Britten, who formed his stud at Woodhouse under the mentorship of the late Isaac Earnshaw. has no reason to regret the purchase of his imported Carbine horse Mousqueton, whose stock come in good shape, and among his winners this seasons, at Caulfield, Randwick, Geelong. and Perth, are Mosquetirc, Purdey, Condobolin, and Dakai; while Curioso, Peel River, Wollumbra, Amy C, and others have contributed to his total. On Messrs. Chisholm's catalogue Mr. Britten has named five Mousqueton colts, among them a good-looking brother to Dakai, a brother to Condobolin (the winner of the Geelong Two-year-old Stakes), a brother to Amy C, a brother to Purley, who won at Randwick the other day, and a colt out of Saffron, a mare by Flavus from Starry, who belongs to the same family as Mountain Knight and Wakeful. Among the contributors to the Chisholm catalogue are the New Zealand brooders. G. M. Currie, Ian Duncan, H. Friedlander, Sir George McLean, J. B. Reid, J. F. Reid, and W. G. Stead. Of these yearlings I have only seen Mr. Currie's half-dozen, who are all by his English horse King- Rufus, son of William Rufus, and are indeed a well-grown, substantial lot, particularly a queenly bay filly out of Moira-Ma-Chree, who is one of the famous Mermaid tribe and a daughter of the St. Simon horse Cyrenian. Mr. A. Hooke, of Tia, has a couple of colts by his great stallion True Blue, and one of them is out of a sister to Ladies' Man, while another is by Sir Laddo out of Lady Mary, dam of that splendid racehorse Blue Book. Among the Eurimbla yearlings, bred by Messrs. Thomas Longworth and Son, is a corking good colt and a well-bred fellow by Earlston from Rose Simmer, by Simmer from Caramel, a descendant of Evening Star, as are the dams of Mountain Knight, Wakeful, and Earlston's best son, Radnor. Two colts by Sir Laddo out of Saucer and Secret; are worth close inspection, as is a colt by Dowdingstown out of Coarmant, by The Admiral. I hear Mr. J. J. McCrath, of Wattle Vale, has a very good brother to Tom Castro, by Little Toy, in his lot: and Mr. E. P. Morris, from Tamworth side, has a corker by Linacre from Malt Royal, a sister to the unbeaten Malt Queen, by Maltster. Mr. J. E. O'Brien has several well-bred yearlings for sale, including a colt by Bardolph from Maltrona, a sister to Malt King; and Mr. A. M. White, of Bolivia, has a beautiful colt by Kenilworth from his handsome mare Diti, by Diplomat.

Thoroughbreds from Everywhere.
THE yearlings will occupy the attention of the two selling firms for three long days and a part of All Aged Stakes day in their disposal; then the first two days of the following week will be taken up with two lengthy catalogues, covering mixed thoroughbreds entrusted to them for sale. Particulars of these will appear in the next issue of the 'Mail.' A catalogue of English bloodstock to be sold by Messrs. Inglis appeared in a recent issue of this paper. In addition to those already made public, the firm has Planudes, The Scribe, Sir Tristram, Cyrus, and other English-bred horses to sell, and among the colonials are Melodrama, Malthusian, and that good-looking colt Podaxon. They have also a large number of racehorses and untried stock, including eight colts and fillies from England. Messrs. Chisholm and Co. have particulars of a large party from New Zealand, English, and Australian studs. They are selling off the stud of a successful New Zealand breeder, Mr. Hugo Friedlander, and have others from the Dominion; but the catalogue will be available next week.

Lochano Again.
THOUGH the weather was unseasonably close, there was a very large attendance of Sydney sportsmen at Hawkesbury on Saturday, and included in the company were several well-known sportsmen from other States, who were entertained by the chairman of the club, Mr. Percy Reynolds, of Hobartville, and his always hospitable committee. Colonel Guest, who has been secretary to the club for a lifetime, was everywhere and attending to everybody in a manner that spoke volumes for the brightness of his brain and his extraordinary vitality. The Hawkesbury Autumn Handicap of £500 provided a contest that must have rejoiced the heart of handicapper Archie Wilson, for at the finish the occupants of the stands were undecided as to whether Lochano or Sir Vive won, and they were only a short length in front of Wishing Cap, who was about a head in advance of Tofua and Secret Service, who in turn were but half a length in front of Trinobantes and the Queenslander My Gavonni. At the heels of this lot came Lady Boniform, Necktie, King Mostyn, and Frasca. When they settled down Sir Vive took charge, but Tofua led along the back from Foley's horse and Secret Service, and Wishing Cap was last of the party. The pace was a cracker all the way. Lochano was introduced into the market at 32 to 1, and a little later 10 to 1 was grabbed with avidity.

Doncaster and Cup Gossip.
LOCHANO is in the Doncaster Handicap with Sst 11lb. 3lb less than she carried at Hawkesbury, and as she ran the distance (lm 3f) in the smart time of 2m 19¼s she should hare a lot to say in the big mile race if in racing humour. Wishing Cap, of course, is one of the backed candidates for the Sydney Cup, in which he is not very leniently treated with 8st 2lb). Last year Lilyveil, well backed, was beaten badly in the Hawkesbury Handicap, but he won the Sydney Cup with Sst 8lb. Wishing Cap is building up a record as a place-getter. He meets Sir Vive in the Cup on 8lb worse terms than on Saturday, but the extra distance may make up for that, and the gallop, I fancy, is likely to improve Secret Service, who has 8lb less in the Sydney Cup, and may be a different horse in a week. Melbourne men, I believe, prefer Onazer to Wishing Cap at almost level weights, and one southern friend thinks Hush Money (7st 9lb) is the best stayer among the Victorian lot. Hush Money and Philio have arrived, and Blague is also here. If asked to pick the best six, on paper, in the Sydney Cup, I would name Ulva's Isle. Cisco, St. Spasa, Onazer, Secret Service, and Wishing Cap, and place:-
ULVA'S ISLE, 1; ST. SPASA, 2; CISCO, 3;
Perhaps Secret Service may not run, inasmuch as the owner of Ulva's Isle, Mr. Arthur White, is a part-owner of the colt, and he may be sent for something less ambitious.
Garlin, who at one time was almost favourite for the Doncaster Handicap, was produced at Hawkesbury for the High-weight Handicap, and, starting at 7 to 4, won very easily from Royal Laddie, who at the finish was backed with great confidence: but the three-year-old gave him 14lb and an easy beating, while Toast, a recent winner, carrying 16lb less than Garlin, was a bad third. Garlin ran the distance in 4m 39s. and as he carries 21lb less in the Doncaster Handicap he will surely be a very hard nut to crack if there is a shadow of value in the time test. I have neither space nor inclination to wade right through the long list of first acceptors in the Doncaster, and there one will boil my views down to six landed ones, and these, alphabetically, are Aleconner, First Principle, Giru, Garlin, lmshi, and Woorak, and live in hope of the following placings: -
IMSIL, 1: GARLIN, 2; ALECONNER, 3.
A majority of the watchers at Randwick are pinning their faith to Giru, because of the manner in which he acquits himself in private, and I feel sure Musgrave is very confident about Aleconner. Though Woorak is a wonder up to seven furlongs, a mile may find him out, and 8st 10lb is a lot of weight for a little fellow. Tom Payten has Imshi in the condition of his life, and a horse of his class is surely is light enough with 7st 9lb. Gigandra will not lack friends after his desperate fight with Brattle in the Hawkesbury Flying Handicap, in which he carried 9st 12lb and was beaten a head by Brattle, and The Lintie, a Doncaster candidate, was a neck away third, with 7st 6lb.

Other Events.
DEAR LADDIE easily beat Wallace Isinglass, Wedding Day, and a very large field in the two-year-old race on Saturday, but his form did not encourage one to believe that anything behind him is likely to beat Cetigue, Scobie's, or Payten's, best in the big events at Randwick. Dear Laddie is the property of Mr. Nagel, who gave 1900 guineas for him last year. He is a brother to Bright Laddie, by Ayr Laddie from Bright Alice, and was bred by Tom Payten. If nothing goes wrong with Ulva's Isle, he is likely to win the three long-distance w.f.a. races at the A.J.C. meeting, now that Land of Song is out of action. Mr. Norman Falkiner, owner of the latter, was in town the other day, and told me he intends to give Land of Song a long spell and a few mares during the coming season. For other events run on the opening days of the A.J.C. meeting I fancy'-

FIRST HURDLE RACE: BRIARBERRVY or MERRIMAN. AUTUMN STAKES: ULVA'S ISLE or CISCO.
SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES: CETIGNE or RED SIGNAL. ST. LEGER: MOUNTAIN KNIGHT.
HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP: ROYAL LADDIE or LESSEPS.
CHAMPAGNE STAKES: CETIGNE or RED SIGNAL. FIRST STEEPLECHASE: CLONTAFT or TORONE.
Chestnut Colt by Powhatan (imp.) - Iodal, by Benvolio. Bred by B. Allen at Dartmouth.
Grey Filly by Featherstitch (imp.) - Kindimindi, by Grafton (imp.). Bred by H. and G. Maia at Retreat3 .

1933

9 November 1933
"BIRAGANBIL" SALE
BIG clearing sale of magnificent furniture is to take place at Biraganbil on Saturday next, commencing at 11 a.m. A light luncheon will be provided. The list of furnishings to be disposed of includes many valuable modern suites as well as some magnificent old pieces. For years In the hands of the one family, "Biraganbil" is one of the show places of the Gulgong district, and the sale of furniture is naturally creating considerable interest4 .

References