55
343. The most noticeable feature of this show was the enormous improve-
ment in quality; this was specially noticeable in the yearling and 2-year old
classes. The same improvement was equally noticeable in the produce by District
Board stallions. This district has taken a strong lead in the provision of these
stallions and 34 head of young stock by these sires were exhibited.
344. The Deputy Commissioner complains greatly about the absence of Re-
mount Officers. The time will come when these Officers will attend and if the
improvement which is noticeable is maintained, they will be able to obtain
good serviceable remounts. On this occasion the Remount Agent purchased
a particularly well shaped filly by an Arab sire.
Abolition and
postponement of
Horse Shows in
the Punjab.
345. This now completes the review of all Horse Shows and Fairs held in
the Punjab during the past year ; the results must be looked upon as having
been most satisfactory.
346. The Sialkot Show was abolished as it did not promise to develop well,
and as the mares and young stock of this district compete in Gujrat which is
only a short distance off, it was felt that the abolition of this show would not
prove detrimental to the interests of the district.
347. The Shows at Delhi and Kurnal were not held owing to the scarcity of
fodder. This is to be regretted. The same argument would have held good in
most districts of the Punjab, but still the Shows were held and were successful.
The money which had been allotted as prizes for these Shows was transferred
to more deserving districts, viz., to Bulandshahr in the North-Western Pro-
vinces, and to Sibi in Baluchistan.
RAJPUTANA.
348. The only Fair held in Ajmere-Merwara and attended by Veterinary
Captain Hagger, Principal, Ajmere Veterinary School, was that of Pokhur. Ar-
rangements will, I trust, be made during the ensuing year for this officer to
visit all important Horse Fairs in Rajputana, or at least as many as he can
possibly attend without allowing this duty to interfere with that which must
be looked upon as the most important, viz., the Ajmere Veterinary School.
This matter will be settled in communication with the Agent to the Governor
General, as soon as it is known what amount of money is available for this offi-
cer's travelling expenses.
Pokhur Horse
Fair.
349. This Fair was held from the 29th October to 2nd November 1895. The
number of horses that attended was greater than it had been for the 6 preceding
years, but although this was the case and although 487 were registered as suit-
ablefor military purposes, no remounts were obtainable for the Native Cavalry.
350. Veterinary Captain Hagger, Principal, Ajmere Veterinary School, who
attended this Fair, reports as follows: —
"In stamp and quality the horses were perhaps not quite as good as last year, but prices ranged high;
this, together with the fact that a Fair was recently held at Ulwar at which prices were moderate, may, it is
thought, account for the small number of sales effected, as compared with previous years."
351. As usual Merwara contributed by far the greatest number of horses
that were brought to the Fair, viz., 1,278 out of the total 1,493. Of these
animals, Veterinary Captain Hagger reports:—
"Horses from this district are still very popular with the Rajputs, and I think deservedly so, as although
too light in bone to attract the Remount Officer, they are smart wiry animals."
This officer further reports as follows:—
"Desirable remounts were scarce and the prices asked for such as were suitable for Native Cavalry, were so
high that the only European purchasing officer (Central India Horse) who attended the Fair, failed to secure
any. A Native officer of the Indore Imperial Service Cavalry obtained seven, and the Ajmere Police bought 6
very useful animals at an average of Rs. 204."
352. The Fairs held in the Native States of Ulwar, Jeypore, and Jodhpur in
Rajputana, will be found reviewed under the heading "Native States," page
111.
TIRHOOT.
Sonepore Horse
Fair.
353. This Fair was held from the 26th October to the 9th November 1895.
It is naturally only a dealers' fair as no breeding is carried on in this part of