4
the Jumpers Flat Race of one mile three furlongs, he had to carry 13 st. 7 lbs.
showing that he was known in Australia as a weight carrier.
"Hegira" by "Emerald" by "Yattendon" out of "Goldstain" by "The
Earl." This horse won many races, amongst which may be mentioned the
Canterbury Park Handicap twice; the Moorfield, Newcastle, and other
Handicaps; also the Rosehill Hurdle Race. He was six years' old when pur-
chased and measured 71½ girth, and 81/4 below the knee.
16. The Government of India have been pleased to sanction the importation
of six more thorough-bred Australians during the current year, and I feel that
we cannot do better than to obtain sires of this class, as they possess, as a rule,
better legs and feet than the English thorough-bred.
Arab stallions.
17. The Arab market for horses has improved greatly during the year, and
I am pleased to be able to report that I obtained a much better class of animals
this year than I did last; in fact, I may say that of the 18 purchased, in
addition to a number bought for Native States, the majority were big horses
with good bone and substance, combined with quality. The best horses by
far were purchased from Ali Bin Taleb, who is able to bring over the
class of horse required, as his family rear them from colts, and also owing to the
fact that he is a man of capital. Since concluding my purchases in the Bombay
market, I have been pleased to find that the prices paid for the horses are
likely to revive the Horse Trade in Bombay which requires most careful
nursing. Mr. Omer Jamal, who on all occasions, does his utmost to assist me
in obtaining the very best horses for Government, and to whom I would tender
my thanks for all the assistance received from him during the past two years,
has written to say that he anticipates a much better market for horses this
year, which will give me greater selection; this he attributes to the fact that
the importers have now learned that they will receive a fair remunerative
price for any really good horse that they import. The highest price paid
during the year was Rs. 4,017; this was for a beautiful Bay horse, five years of
age, 14—23/4 in height, 68 inches girth, and 7½ inches shank, and which showed
undoubted quality.
18. The average measurements of the 18 Arab horses purchased during the
year, were as follows:—
Height
Girth ...
Shank ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
14-3.
66 inches.
a trifle over 7½.
For Arabs, this must be looked upon as decidedly good, and I feel that if this
standard can be maintained in future, or even if it can be somewhat improved,
that the result of the cross of this class of horse with the indigenous mare,
will be all that can be desired. Size is necessary to obtain horses suitable for
remounts, but this must not be obtained at the loss of quality, and this
combination can only be ensured by payment of a high price, for as the
importers all say, those horses that have size and quality combined are the
result of care when young, and that this naturally adds to the expense and puts
a higher value on the horses.
Transit of stal-
lions from Eng-
land.
19. During the year under review, I am pleased to be able to report that not
a single casualty occurred amongst the 22 horses imported from England nor
amongst the 14 Italian and five Cyprian donkey stallions received from Genoa
and Cyprus. No accidents occurred in the landing of these horses, all of which
arrived safely at Babugarh. One case of laminitis was admitted to hospital
but speedily recovered.
20. With the sanction of the Government of India, and with the approval
of the Bombay Government, an important change was made during the year
under review. Hitherto, all horses and donkeys were handed over to Messrs.
Scott & Co. on arrival at Bombay; in my opinion, this proved an expensive
arrangement; in lieu of this, the horses were received by the Principal,
Bombay Veterinary College; not only did this ensure closer scrutiny of
expenditure, but it also ensured the proper treatment of horses requiring
veterinary assistance on landing, which of course did not form a charge against
the State, as the animals were attended to by either the Principal or Assistant
Principal.