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Alambadi being next in respect to numbers. The cattle were brought in
chiefly from the taluks of Tinnevelly, excepting those of Satur and Sivilliputur,
many also came in from the Madura district. Prices were average, good
draught bullocks fetched Rs. 150 per pair.
Some suggestions are made for the improvement of the sanitary arrange-
ments of the Fair which it is hoped will be adopted by the officials in charge.
The only contagious disease seen at the Fair was foot and mouth disease, of
which three cases were seen and promptly isolated and the usual precautionary
measures being taken, the disease did not spread. The cattle disease prevention
Act was enforced and a hospital pound erected.
Gurunaswami Festival Fair.—This Pair was held at Shankarampoliam
and Gattisamadram in the Bhavani taluk of Erode Circle from the 7th to the
30th August. About 5,000 cattle were brought in for sale, and of these, four
thousand changed hands. The cattle were of the Baragur, Alambadi and the
ordinary village breeds, from the Baragur hills and Bhabani taluk, also from
the Kollegal taluk brought in by the Lambadi dealers and from the villages
of Trinchingode, Namakal and Bhabani taluks brought by cattle-dealers. The
best represented breed at the Pair was the Baragur, and there was a good de-
mand for them. Purchasers came in chiefly from Erode, Bhavani, Karur,
Trinchingode and Namakur taluks. The sanitary arrangements were not satis-
factory, nor were the fodder and water-supply. This has been brought to the
notice of the authorities, as it is of great importance to prevent these Pairs from
becoming centres for the propogation of animal plagues, such as rinderpest.
Methalapuram Cattle Fair.—This Cattle Pair was held in the Satur taluk
of the Tinnevelly district from the 5th to the 22nd of July.
The number of cattle brought to the Pair, including buffaloes was above
17,000, more than 8,000 of which were brought yoked in carts, all of which were
for sale. Of these, about one-third changed hands, and in addition to the sales,
there were many exchanges of cattle between the ryots and dealers. The prices
of a pair of bullocks ranged from Rs. 15 to 200. The places from which the
cattle were brought were all the taluks of the district and from the Madura,
Trichinopoly, Coimbatore districts. Cattle of the indigenous breeds were in
the greatest proportion of those exposed for sale. The fresh stock brought
from the northern districts was much larger than that brought to the Almar-
tirunagari Pair, and much better specimens were found here than at the latter
place. Next to the indigenous cattle, Kangynad, Alambadi, Pulikulam, Keela-
kadu and Mysore, cattle were found in the order of their numerical strength.
The Stock Inspector has made some suggestions for the improvement of the
sanitary arrangements of the Pair. These at the present Fair however appear to
have been fairly good, and the district authorities apparently take some trouble
in the matter, there was a hospital for the reception of diseased cattle, and the
cattle-disease prevention act was in force. The only case of contagious disease
reported were three of foot and mouth disease which were promptly isolated
and treated, the disease being thus prevented from spreading to other cattle in
the Fair, and thus about the district.
Palamcotta Cattle Fair, Tinnevelly district.—This Pair commenced on the
21st September and lasted for 19 days. No special breeds of cattle were ex-
hibited. Local breeds and cross between the Mysore and Alambadi breed were
brought. Cattle were brought in from Kristnagiri and Dharampuri taluks of
the Salem district, and from Tirumangalam and Dindigul taluks of the Madura
district, also from the taluks of the Tinnevelly district. The numbers of ani-
mals at the Pair was 4,813, of which 4,546 were bullocks, 77 cows, and the rest
buffaloes; of these, 3,709 were sold. At the commencement of the Pair the
market was dull owing to want of rain, but after a few showers had fallen, prices
were high. The sanitary arrangements are reported to have been unsatisfactory
and the water-supply was insufficient. There were however no cases of conta-
gious disease. Act 11 of 1866 was in force. The Stock Inspector makes certain
suggestions for the improvement of the Pair which will be considered by the
district authorities.
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