43
"I was told that they take them to Bengal, feed them well for a year or two, and sell them either at
Sonepore fair or in the Calcutta market."
Meerut
(Nau-
chandi)
Horse
Show.
218. It gives me the greatest pleasure to be able again on this occasion to
note a further development of this, one of the best shows in the North-West-
ern Provinces.
219. Last year I was able to do so, but I certainly thought that we then
had arrived at the extreme limit to which improvement was possible; this
year again a marked improvement is noticeable all round.
220. The following statistics will speak for themselves:–
Total number present ... ...
Number competing for prizes ... ...
1894-95.
1,753
539
1895-96.
2,062
598
No. of remounts purchased.
Native Cavalry and Imperial Service Troops
Police ... ... ... ...
Remount Department ... ...
61
16
14
76
12
14
221. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, in his report on this
show, states that the brood mares and young stock were up to the standard
of last year, but that, taking them all round, he did not consider them quite
as good as those I saw purchased at other fairs and shows.
222. Eight competitors entered for the Medals, two of which were given to
be competed for at this show. The competition for the one which should have
been awarded at Muzaffarnagar and which had to be held in abeyance owing
to the fact that the nature of the competition was not understood, was award-
ed to a zemindar from that district. The competition was severe, as the various
groups were very good ; three consolation prizes of Rs. 20 each, were awarded
to the unsuccessful competitors.
223. Again I must state that the thanks of this Department are due to Mr.
Wyer, the Collector, for the great interest he always evinces in the shows
held in his district.
Muzaffarnagar
Horse Show.
224. Although this show was actually better attended this year than last,
801 against 759, still this was entirely due to the dealer class. The number
of zemindars' stock fell from 217 to 190, showing a deficit of 27; and again
the number that competed for prizes fell from 336 last year to 246 on this
occasion.
225. This was due to the fact that the Meerut (Nauchandi) Show was held
on the conclusion of this one, and zemindars prefer to go to the former. Had this
Show been held for two days, which is found to be sufficient at all the large
and more important shows in the Punjab, instead of lasting as it did seven
days, zemindars would have had a chance of attending both.
226. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, reports as fol-
lows:—
"The branded mares and fillies were very good ; the former being big roomy mares showing great power.
The young stock, as might be expected from such mares, were also very good, but inclined to be coarse as nearly
all of them were by Norfolk Trotter stallions. I expect that in another year or two there will be an improve-
ment in this respect, as at the commencement of the present season I sent a couple of good thoroughbreds and
an Arab to this district, which 1 hope will make their mark : a further increase of thoroughbred English sires
is still necessary."
227. Four excellent remounts were purchased for Native Cavalry and 10
were bought by the Remount Agent. Reporting on this show, this officer
states:—
" Those obtained appear rather above the average quality of former years. Breeding seems steadily
increasing and improving in this district. The number purchased is greater than in any previous year, more
especially 1895, when only 3 were bought."
Rampur
(Be-
nazir)
Horse
Fair.
228. This Fair, although not legitimately belonging to the North-Western
Provinces being held in a Native State, is included herein, owing to its
geographical position. But little can be said in its favor; however, as I wish
this review of Horse Fairs and Shows held in India to be a guide to all officers
and especially to those of the Native Cavalry, as to where remounts are obtain-
able, I deem it advisable to mention this one.