10
80. I have received a request to purchase remounts for the remount nur-
sery in the coming year in Káthiáwár. But it seems to me that if I am to
make a tour for the collection of young stock throughout Káthiáwár, I shall have
very little time left for the performance of my special duties as Superintendent
of Horse-breeding Operations. I have therefore to suggest that it would be as
well if a Remount officer did the tour through Káthiáwár, and if he felt the
need for my professional services, collected his young stock at such accessible
place such as Porbandar or Bhávnagar, which I could attend at a special time
in the course of annual tour.
81. In Sind remount work was done at the Fairs by Major Chalmers who
availed himself fully of my professional services. In order that the work of
the two departments may be done effectually at these Shows, it is necessary
that an officer from each department should attend. This is the more necessary
because the Superintendent of Horse-breeding Operations is from the very nature
of the post obliged to obtain for the breeders the highest possible price, whereas
a Remount officer should spend no more Government money than is absolutely
necessary for remounts. It is therefore rather difficult to satisfactorily con-
tinue the two duties. Certainly the Remount Department and Transport Depart-
ment should always be represented at the shows and fairs of the country, as
herein lies one of the secrets of obtaining country-bred stock for military pur-
poses. The number of young stock purchased in Sind was considerable. The
number of mares brought forward for the brand was considerable and conse-
quently there were many rejections. Civil officers in Sind, especially Colonel
Mayhew, Mr. Giles, Colonel Trevor, Mr. Steele, Mr. Mules, &c., &c, deserve
notice here as valuable to the department, and altogether the prospects of horse-
breeding operations are excellent.
82. I have not yet succeeded in attending the Chinchli Show, as it is held
when I am on tour in Sind.
Castration.
83. The number of castrations is quite insufficient; on carefully consider-
ing this matter I have concluded that a change of
system is necessary, and I hope to introduce gradually
in the coming years a system of employment by the department of such Gra-
duates of the Bombay Veterinary College as are posted in the districts on the
system to be adjusted on each case in consultation with the District Local
Boards.
STATISTICAL REPORT.
Stallions: Number of.
84. The opening balance of the number and
classes of horse stallions was as follows:—
Thoroughbred English ... .. ...
Half-bred English, including Norfolk Trotters ...
Arabs ... ... ... ...
Pegu ... ... ...
Total ...
Horses.
11
12
35
0
58
Ponies.
0
0
37
1
38
Total.
11
12
72
1
96
Increase received during
the year.
85. During the year under report one thorough-
bred English stallion was received by transfer from
Bengal register in exchange for Arab stallion
"Ameer". "Ameer" was sent to Beluchistán.
Decrease: Casualties.
86. Four stallions died during the year. De-
tailed particulars regarding the above will be found in
Appendix I.
87. The percentage of casualties during the last two years is shown
below:—
Died.
In 1888-89
...
...
...
...
In 1889-90
...
...
...
...
3.12
4.76
Destroyea.
In 1888-89
...
... ... ...
In 1889-90
...
...
......
1.04
0