90
" The patwaris' returns regarding the coverings, foalings, &c., have been for the most part,
incorrect, but that was only to be expected at the commencement of a new scheme with the working
of which they were unacquainted. A new form has now been adopted, and I believe when the
Patwaris get to understand its meaning, their returns will be of great value to us. The returns
already furnished have been of use in giving the number of big and small mares in different
districts, thus enabling me in a couple of instances to send stallions to new districts where I did
not previously know there would be work for them."
It was only to be expected that a system, involving the submission of
new forms of returns by a large number of men unacquainted with the
work would at the onset be a little confused, but it is felt that ultimately
it will be productive of much good. To give some idea of the magnitude
of the work undertaken, it may be mentioned that in the Punjab alone
8,630 patwaris are employed and that returns have to be submitted by them
all.
The system of verification by District officials of about 20 mares
annually from the returns received from the zilladars having been found
to be so successful in the North-Western Provinces, the same system will
be adopted during 1895-96, and the Punjab Government will also be ask-
ed to introduce it in that province.
Darindah sys-
tem in N. W.
Provinces.
300. By this system is meant that some zemindar or rais of a district under-
takes to build a stable according to the standard plan, at his own expense
and furnishes a security to the extent of Rs. 250/; for this and any further
trouble, he receives Rs. 3 per horse and Re. 1 per donkey in addition to the
cost of feed and keep. The system adopted in the Punjab is far better :
in this province, Government build the stable and the horses are in charge
of the District Authorities.
Feeling that the system existing in North-Western Provinces required
attention, stringent orders were issued on this point. One stand at Rardhana,
already alluded to when speaking of unreliable statistics, was visited by
the Superintendent and myself in August, and as the charges brought against
the Darindah were clearly proved, this stand was broken up.
Again, the Darindah of Malickpur in the Bulandshahr district neglected
the horse and donkey in his charge and allowed them one seer of gram daily,
although 7 seers were charged for. This darindah was fined the amount of
his account for 2½ months and his stand was abolished.
Almost a worse case occurred at Kasimpur in the district of Aligarh.
Here the darindah really starved the horse. This man was fined Rs. 30 and
his stand was abolished. The Collector of the district also decided that this
darindah should forfeit Rs. 100 of his security.
There can be no doubt that the majority of the darindahs endeavour to
live on the amount made by depriving the Government stallions of their food.
This remark, however, does not apply to a certain number who take the
stallions for the sake of " izzat " and who are very anxious to foster horse
breeding in their neighbourhood; amongst others, might be mentioned the
Raises of Aligarh and Mohomed Yakub Khan of Khurja.
Remarking on this subject, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states :—
" I have met with many cases during my tour, in which the darindahs did not employ
proper grasscutters, and I am informed that it is only very few of them that give the stal-
lions the proper allowance of grain and bran; this partly accounts for the small percentage
of foalings, and explains why it is that horses returning from the districts in the North-
West are always in such bad condition and weigh so much lighter than when they left
the depôt, although in the meantime they have done little or no work. I will give a
few examples:—
"Kismet II T.B.E. weighed 12 maunds 10 seers when leaving the depôt, returned after about
2 months weighing 9 maunds 24 seers.
Mds.
" Hoodman, N. T.
12
" Royalty, N. T.
12
" Prince Edward, N. T. 13
" The Judge, C. B.
11
" Minster, N. T.
12
Seers.
24
16
16
30
30
returned
„
„
„
„
Mds.
11
10
12
9
11
Seers.
12
24
20
35
35