43
A Veterinary Dispensary, fully equipped with medicines and instruments,
was opened on the fair ground and placed in charge of two Veterinary Assis-
tants. There were 60 admissions to the dispensary, mostly for simple
disorders.
A separate enclosure, some distance from the fair ground, was set apart
for infectious or contagious cases, but there were no admissions.
166. I would record my best thanks to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Bec-
kett, for the great interest which he showed in everything likely to add to the
success of the fair as well as to the Judging Committee, which was composed
as follows :—
Major A. A. Sandys, 4th Dragoon Guards.
Major C. A. Anderson, Royal Artillery.
Lieutenant M. Fitz Gerald, 4th Dragoon Guards.
Veterinary Major G. J. R. Rayment, Army Veterinary Department.
The Commissioner brings to notice the excellent arrangements made by Mr.
Francis, the Secretary of the Horse Fair. I can only add that, having attend-
ed a very great number of fairs and shows during the year, I have seen none
at which all the arrangements were as perfect as those at Rawalpindi.
Shahpur Horse
Show.
167. This horse show, held from 19th to 21st March 1895, more than upheld
its position as one of the best in the Punjab. The following figures speak for
themselves. On this occasion, 1,907 attended the show against 1,333 last
year ; 688 competed for prizes against 383, whilst 43 remounts were purchased
against 28 last year.
This large increase is most satisfactory; not only were the numbers great,
but also the quality of the animals competing was reported to have been
excellent.
That this is one of the best breeding centres cannot be denied. 260 branded
mares and fillies competed for prizes, whilst 241 head of young stock entered
the ring to be judged.
168. Forty three remounts were bought, 14 being purchased by the Remount
Agent. On this point, the Deputy Commissioner reports :
"The prices paid were not excessive, the stamp of animal purchased being good ; there were
very few Native Cavalry remounts over 4 years old at the fair.
This district sends a lot of
men into the Native Cavalry. and when on leave they pick up all the likely animals they can get
before the fair. Purchasing officers also visit the district before the fair."
No doubt the remounts purchased were well worth the money paid for
them, still the prices ruled too high for the Native Cavalry, one batch of 7
costing an average of Rs. 345, whilst another batch of 3 cost an average of Rs.
307. This is more than the Chunda funds of Native Cavalry can afford to pay;
still if these regiments are desirous of obtaining really good horses, such as
those of the Shahpur district are, the market value must be paid, and it will
be seen that the Deputy Commissioner is of opinion that the price paid, consider-
ing the quality of the article obtained, was not excessive.
169. During the show, 61 very fine mares were branded; these are reported
by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, to have been "by far the
finest mares he had seen in North Punjab. "
This officer concludes his report as follows :—
" I have to offer my best thanks to Mr. Bridges, the Deputy Commissioner, to whom the
admirable arrangements, big attendance, and great success of the show is to be largely attributed,
and also for the great assistance rendered by him in judging the winners in such large classes."
Sialkot
Horse Show.
170. This show was held on 26th and 27th March 1895. The Superinten-
dent, Civil Veterinary Department, in his report, states :—
" I cannot say that the show was a success, as it was very noticeable that most of the prize
winners were from Gujrat and Gujranwala, particularly the former.
" In class I, A & B, ' branded mares ' and ' mares with foal at foot', only one prize (2nd
in former) was taken by a mare from the Sialkot district. This being the case, and in view
to the fact that cultivation is rapidly taking up the whole of the district, leaving very little land
remaining for horse grazing, &c., I am of opinion it is useless holding this show in future years."