88
295. From careful consideration of the above recorded facts, we can con-
clude :—
(a) That the system of branding is popular in such districts where
horse breeding operations have been in force for any time.
(b) That where objections to the brand are raised in districts in which
horse breeding operations have been in force for any time (the
only district where such objections have been raised being that
of Rohtak) that the cause has been the wholesale distribution of
covering certificates by the District Officer.
(c) That the issue of these certificates is likely to prove prejudicial, and
should only be resorted to in districts where the number of brand-
ed mares is not sufficient for the number of stallions employed.
In connection with this, I shall, however, not recommend the abolition
of the system of granting such certificates until it has been tried for another year,
when the question of its continuance in Northern India can be considered in
connection with its working in the Bombay Presidency where it will then have
been in force for 18 months.
Unreliable sta-
tistics.
296. In the annual Administration Report for 1893-94, it was remarked
that improvement was greatly needed in this Department to ensure the submis-
sion of more correct statistics. Much attention has been paid, during the past
year, to this most important subject; but it is with regret that I feel compelled
to state that but little success has been met with ; however, the steps which
have been taken will, if continued, lead to gradual improvement.
It was pointed out that such improvement was considered necessary in
three directions:
(a) In information from Provinces, other than those in which our
operations are in force, as to the approximate number of mares
available of both horse and mule breeding, especially from Raj-
putana.
By paragraph 268, it will be seen that this information was sought from
Mysore, Central Provinces and Berar ; Ajmere-Merwara, and Central India.
Some information was obtained from Mysore which is likely to lead to
good results. From Central Provinces and Berar but little useful information
is forthcoming, owing to the illness of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department.
Much useful information is at hand from Ajmere-Merwara, and already
one Municipality, viz., that of Beawar, has taken the matter up and has pur-
chased one Arab pony
The reports received from Central India are not encouraging, as far as
mule breeding is concerned.
From the above it will be seen that some useful information has been
obtained.
(b) Improvement was stated to be required in the system of registration
of foals, and had the information, which has since been obtained,
been at hand, it might have been also stated that improvement
was required in the registration of mares covered.
297. On the question of registration of mares covered, the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, states:—
" The number reported as covered by Government stallions during the year was 3.041 against
2,839 last year, being an increase of 202, but unfortunately these figures cannot be relied on, as it
has been proved in several cases that the darindahs' registers were not correctly kept, and mares
were shown as covered that had been long since dead, sold, or transferred, to other districts.
You will remember the case of Hira Dei at Rardhana. The horse and donkey at her stand were
shown as having covered their full number or nearly so in July last, and an application was
submitted to this office to be supplied with an extra horse and donkey. This appeared suspicious
as the horse and donkey in charge of Abhay Singh in the same village had only covered a very
few mares, consequently I sent a copy of the covering Register to the Collector of Meerut, and
he very kindly had the entries verified, with the result that 39.3 per cent. were found to be fudged.
It turned out on enquiry, that the Darindah Hira Dei and her people were mainly depending on
the stallions for their livelihood, and the fudged entries were made in the Register so as to show
a great number of coverings at the stand, in order that an increased number of stallions would be
allotted and in this way add to their income.