69
351. In conclusion of my remarks on the Horse Shows in Sind, I would
beg to convey to Mr. Steele, the Collector of Hyderabad, and to Mr. Mackenzie,
the Deputy Commissioner, Upper Sind Frontier, my most hearty thanks for
their hearty co-operation in all that affects the welfare of horse and mule breed-
ing in the Province.
RAJPUTANA.
352. The Fair usually held at Pushkar in Ajmere-Merwara, and also those
usually held at Ulwar and Jeypore, were abolished during the year under
review, either owing to the great scarcity of fodder or to the fact that plague
was on the increase in Bombay.
Tezaji Mule Fair.
353. The Tezaji Fair was held, but calls for no comments. It does not
appear to serve any useful purpose.
TIRHOOT.
Sonepore Horse
Fair.
354. This Fair was held at the end of November 1898 and is more of a cattle
than a Horse Fair. For, although 3,000 horses are said to have been present,
still the majority of these were doubtless country tats, for the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, reports that, although a few Native
Cavalry remounts might have been procured, still he does not consider
that the visit of a Remount Officer would have proved remunerative; as it
happened, no Remount Officer visited the Show. Against this, there were
about 42,000 bullocks and other animals.
355. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal, reports
favourably of the stamp of ponies available at Sonepore; they were of course
sent there for sale as polo ponies; they were unmade, and the price is said
to have ruled high. For a batch of five ponies, R265 per head was refused.
BENGAL.
Kalimpong Mule
Fair.
356. I regret that owing to the fact that this Fair clashed with that
held at Sonepore, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, was
unable to be present. I have requested him to kindly see whether this cannot
be avoided in future, as I consider it advisable that he should be present.
357. From a report submitted to him by the Deputy Commissioner,
Darjeeling, I find that a considerable number of Bhutia ponies were purchased
by planters and others, one fetching the high price of R350.
358. Eighty-three mules were purchased by the Commissariat Department
at an average price of R145. No mules suitable for Ordnance purposes were
brought in, although a special notice was circulated throughout Thibet offering
R400 for suitable animals. I therefore doubt if many of this class are to
be found there.
359. The sum of R500 granted from Imperial Funds was distributed
in the mule class, and R1,800 was given by Local Funds to cattle,
agricultural produce, etc.
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.
Ahmednagar Horse
Show.
360. This Show was held on 31st October 1898. The Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, remarks as follows:—
"The total number of exhibits amounted to 488. The Show was on the point of being abandoned owing
to the fear of plague, and the news of abandonment, although not officially advertised, did run through the dis-
trict and kept off nearly 20 per cent. of the exhibits. A much higher standard of selection for admission to the
Show was adopted. The Show taken throughout was most successful and well maintained its quality of excel-
lence over last Show, though a fair comparison cannot be made with the former Shows for reasons given above.
One of the most remarkable features of the Show was the very large number of symmetrical sturdy pony mares,
most of them being the get of Government sires. The stock (12) purchased for the nursery was considered by
the Remount Agent to be the best ever obtained.''
361. I regret to see the fact that the subject of ponies, the gets of the
Government stallions, is prominently brought forward. This is not the inten-
tion of Government in incurring the expenditure it does in the maintenance of
these sires.