66
423. In the first place it was not received with that cordiality with which
the North Western Provinces Committee was received. To show that the Special
Judging Committee was not received with much cordiality in the Punjab, I
might note that although the letter from the Government of India, Military De-
partment, sanctioning its appointment, was forwarded to the Director of Land
Records and Agriculture, with a request that he would circulate it for the
information of all District Officers concerned, still Local Committees, composed
of Military Officers were assembled at Umballa and Multan, and another was
about to be appointed at Rawalpindi.
424. There was also a latent feeling that the authority of the Deputy Com-
missioner was being over-ridden. Two Deputy Commissioners, viz., Mr. Young-
husband and Captain Douglas object to the Special Judging Committee on
various grounds, which, if carefully analysed will, I think, be found not to be
in any way objectionable.
425. The Deputy Commissioner of Umballa takes quite another view of
the matter. He says:—
"I consider that the appointment of a permanent Judging Committee is an excellent arrangement. The
Committee saves the Deputy Commissioner and Local officials a vast amount of labor. The Committee worked
quickly and well and did what they were required to do and no more, viz., to judge the animals put before
them."
426. This to my mind puts the matter clearly. This is solely a Judging
Committee, and though the Deputy Commissioner is not actually asked to
judge still, ex-officio, he is President, and can make any suggestions that he
deems necessary; and I will say that any that were made were invariably
agreed to. It is not every man who can judge a horse properly and surely
this must refer to District officials as well as to others; and how frequently have I
been told by Deputy Commissioners in former years, when they actually joined
the Judging Committee as Judges, " I know nothing about a horse." The sys-
tem of having one Committee to judge at all the Horse Fairs and Show must,
I think, commend itself to everybody who wishes to see fair and impartial
judging, irrespective of to whom the animals belong, and this is the only way
in which we can teach the Native breeders the class of horse required. In
these circumstances, I shall be prepared to recommend the continuance of these
Special Judging Committees for the sanction of the Government of India in
future years.
Silver Medals.
427. As already stated, the Government of India sanctioned the award of a
silver medal to each Show or Fair held in the North-Western Provinces and
Oudh, Punjab, and Baluchistan ; or, in the case of large Shows, such as Bu-
landshahr, Meerut, Rawal Pindi, Shahpur, Quetta, Sibi, and others, two were
sanctioned.
428. Previous to this, bridles were distributed to successful competitors,
but it was found that these were not appreciated. By the money saved in the
purchase of bridles, this Department has been enabled to present 30 medals
during the past year.
429. The conditions of the competition for these medals are that they shall
be presented to the zemindar being a bonâ fide breeder, who exhibits the best
collection of branded mares and young stock by Government stallions, with the
stipulation that the medal is not to be awarded 2 years in succession to the
same breeder or to the same group of young stock.
430. As will be gathered from the foregoing review of Horse Fairs and
Shows, the competition has been most keen and has been the means of bringing
together some splendid collections of brood mares and young stock.
431. In addition to these, medals were awarded on the same terms, at the
Fairs held in the Native States of Ulwar, Jeypore, Jodhpur, and Bahawalpore,
and were much appreciated both by the Rulers of these States as well as by
the recipients.
Prizes awarded
at Horse Fairs
and Shows.
432. During the year under review, the grant of Rs. 21,000, which is annu-
ally sanctioned by the Government of India to be awarded in prizes, was redistri-
buted on a different basis; more money was allotted to deserving Shows where