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The Chief Commissioner would be glad if the Superintendent would frame
definite proposals as promised in paragraph 14 of his Report for the year
1904-05 and convey them to the district authorities concerned, when they will
doubtless receive full and careful consideration, and he agrees that until a
separate Superintendent is appointed for the Province the establishment of a
Bull Farm must remain in abeyance.
7. A substantial addition was made during the year to the numbers of
horse and pony stallions employed in the Province by the liberal grant of
Rs. 16,800 made for the purpose by the Imperial Government. With this sum
three horse and six pony stallions were purchased and distributed between the
four non-selected districts and the Tochi and Kurram Agencies, and the Local
Boards of Peshawar provided further funds for one horse and one pony stallion.
The number of stallions has now risen to 18, of which 8 are classed as horse
and 10 as pony, and these should prove sufficient for some time to come. The
new purchases were not, however, employed during the year under report, and
their services during the present year have been wisely limited on account of
their somewhat immature ages.
Four horse and four pony stallions were actually employed, the same
number as last year, and they covered respectively 67.75 and 53.5 mares. The
average cost of maintenance worked out to Rs. 325 for each horse and Rs. 226
for each pony stallion: in the case of horse stallions the cost has risen consider-
ably, but no reason has been assigned.
Two new donkey stallions were purchased by District Boards during the
year, bringing the total number for the Province up to nine. These covered
327 mares only, whereas last year seven stallions covered 390 mares, and the cost
of maintenance per donkey rose from Rs. 148 to Rs. 183. The Superintendent
points out that some of the donkeys are of doubtful utility, and the Chief Com-
missioner hopes that Local Boards will provide funds for the replacement of
such animals. It is to be regretted that the purchase of four new donkey
stallions out of the special grant made from Imperial funds could not be effected,
but the Civil Veterinary Department was unable to meet the indent owing to
the large demand made by other Provinces.
The deputation of syces to Hissar for instruction which was proposed by
Captain Walker is a measure which might well be adopted by all districts, and
the attention of Deputy Commissioners is invited to the matter.
8. The remarks contained in paragraph 44 of the Superintendent's
Report upon the subject of again importing Merino sheep into Kagan have been
read with much interest, and the Chief Commissioner is glad to see that
Captain Walker has given the matter his personal attention. The results of
the importation of Australian Merino rams into this valley as well as into the
Kurram will be awaited with considerable interest.
9. In addition to the annual Horse Show held at Dera Ismail Khan, a
combined Horse and Cattle Show was held for the first time at Peshawar, and
was attended with considerable success. The districts of Hazara and Kohat
contributed to the show. It is intended to convert this into an annual gather-
ing, and there is every reason to anticipate that it will achieve widespread
popularity and quicken interest in horse and cattle breeding amongst the agri-
cultural classes of the three districts concerned. The Chief Commissioner
takes this opportunity of tendering his thanks to Captain Walker and the local
officers to whose energies and interest the success of the newly inaugurated show
were so largely due, and he is pleased to learn that the cattle fair at Haripur
suggested last year will shortly be inaugurated. There can be no doubt but
that the establishment of fairs at suitable centres must stimulate the interest of
the people in the right direction.
10. The appointment of two Veterinary Inspectors has proved most
beneficial, and the augmentation of the staff of Veterinary Assistants has re-
sulted in considerable all-round improvement. Necessary sanction for the
entertainment of seven more Veterinary Assistants has been obtained, and two
men have been actually secured, but until the rates of pay are enhanced the