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239. Captain Weller, 14th Bengal Lancers, says:—
"All pedigreed young stock is bought at once by the Lahore dealers, at prices far beyond the means
of Native Cavalry regiments, with a view of selling them to the Government Remount Agent, thus making the
best class of horse not available for Native Cavalry Regiments."
240. The arrangements at this and the Bysakhi Fairs leave much to be
desired. Horses, likely to make remounts, are picketted all over the fair ground.
No classification appears to be attempted, as is done at other fairs. Officers of
the following Regiments complain on this point:—
Queen's Own Corps of Guides.
1st Punjab Cavalry.
10th Bengal Lancers.
Nearly all the officers attending this fair complain of the length of time during
which this fair is held; the general opinion being that 3 days would suffice.
241. Great complaints are put forth by the purchasing officers that after
keeping their remounts for a long time at the fair, they were never made
acquainted with the day on which the prizes were to be awarded. This I fear
points to negligence on the part of the Fair Authorities, but I am compelled to
say that I think the officers who complain, might have asked the question. A
notice was issued but it evidently did not reach many.
242. These officers also complain of the time their remounts were kept at
Amritsar, but surely they are aware that when the majority of remounts are
bought, an early day can be fixed for judging this class simply by asking the
Secretary.
Amritsar (By-
sakhi) Pair.
243. This is by far the largest horse market in Northern India. It was
eminently successful in the number of remounts it produced.
244. 5,766 horse and mule stock were brought in against 4,895 last year.
245. No prizes are given either from Imperial or District Funds, neither do
I consider any to be necessary.
246. Twenty one head of young stock were bought for British Cavalry.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"It was satisfactory to see the great number of remounts purchased for Native Cavalry and Imperial Ser-
vice Troops, viz., 177 horses; these were mostly bought from the breeders at fairly moderate prices.
"Fourteen baggage and 19 Ordnance mules were purchased by the Remount Department, and in addition
to these, 28 mules were purchased by Native Cavalry Regiments at an average price of Rs. 125; they were,
generally speaking, of fair stamp and up to the requirements of Native Cavalry.
"Twenty-two mares were branded out of 67 brought up for my inspection."
247. This is eminently satisfactory, but the opinions of the officers who
attended this fair were still more so. With one exception (Captain Pirie who
only bought 2 for the Imperial Service Troops), they report favorably of their
purchases. The other officers purchased large batches; it would be impossible to
reproduce the opinions of all the officers who purchased at this Fair, but the
following are worthy of record:—
248. Major Dawson, 9th Bengal Lancers, states:—
"There is no doubt that better horses are obtained every year and the English blood is now very
apparent."
249. Lieutenant Colonel Gordon, 6th Bengal Cavalry, states:–
"Owing to the very high prices paid by Government, owners over-value their stock, generally with the
result that other purchasers have to pay more than the intrinsic value for remounts, or go away empty handed.
One dealer refused Rs. 325 for a filly twenty months old. Class of remounts good."
250. Captain Angelo, Inspecting Officer, Phulkian States, Imperial
Service Cavalry, states:—
"I have never bought horses before for Imperial Service Cavalry. The horses purchased at Amritsar are
strong and well bred with scarcely an exception. I account for the moderate price paid to the fact that Native
Cavalry Regiments are now mostly buying horses 14-3 and over and the consequence is that some very nice
horses below that height can be procured cheap for the Imperial Service Cavalry. The Native officers with me
who had attended former Fairs at Amritsar, were of opinion that they had never been better pleased with the
horses bought for their States."
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