49
209. According to Remount Rolls received, the number of remounts
purchased was as follows:
By the Remount Agent
.
.
For Native Cavalry
.
.
.
For Imperial Service Troops
.
.
9
80
44
at an average price of .
„ „ .
„ „ .
R
200
275
237
But these numbers in no way represent the actual numbers purchased, as in
order to avoid paying the fees, dealers sell outside the Fair limits and com-
mence their operations before the Fair begins.
210. In the same way we find that 60 mules were purchased either for
Ordnance or Transport purposes; still this in no way represents the actual
numbers bought.
211. Taking the above as a basis and the numbers on which fees were
paid, we find that the total value of stock bought for Military purposes
amounted to R43,228; if we compare this with the total sales at this Fair, we
at once see what a great demand for horseflesh there is in this country
independent of that due to Military requirements. The sales, as shown in the
Secretary's report, after deducting the remounts and the mules, amount to the
following:—
Horses.
.
.
.
Ponies.
.
.
.
Mules.
.
.
.
Donkeys.
.
.
.
Number sold.
1,855
666
690
488
Value of sales.
R
1,32,768
31,582
63,750
11,993
TOTAL.
2,40,093
giving nearly 2½ lakhs of rupees which change hands for various classes of
animals; this I wish it to be understood was quite independent of Military
purchases. Again, it is frequently imagined that Remount Officers pay the
highest prices; this is far from being the case, for, even in this instance, which
is not uncommon, I find that the highest price paid for a remount was R400
and was purchased by the 18th Bengal Lancers, whilst the highest price
recorded in the Fair as having been paid by a private individual was R500.
212. The above will show the great competition that exists for horseflesh
at the present day, but I would draw special attention to the mule sales. We
have evidence of only 60 having been purchased for Military purposes, and yet
the sales amounted to 750, thus showing that nearly 700 were purchased by
private individuals. I do not wish it to be understood that I consider all of
these were such as would have been bought even for Transport, but we may
rest assured that the majority were well able to carry two maunds, otherwise
no native would have bought them; these, therefore, must be looked upon as the
reserve of this country for war requirements.
213. I would now refer to the remarks made by the various Remount
Officers which are very instructive. Lieutenant-Colonel O'Malley, 1st Punjab
Cavalry, states:—
"I wish to point out most particularly the absurdity of the rule as it now obtains restricting the sale of
branded mares. Remount parties are prohibited from doing so except from dealers! The result is that
the latter secure good animals and immediately resell them to the Remount Officers, the Regimental funds
being of course the sufferers. Zemindars have told me they do not like to have their mares branded, as in
case they want to sell there is a bother about it, and the Rissala will not buy and the dealers beat them down.
I am distinctly of opinion the rule requires revising.
"I think it a pity that so many Remount Officers deal almost exclusively with dealers, giving long prices,
as the dealers are thus enabled to over-bid more prudcent buyers with the producers."
214. There is much truth in what Colonel O'Malley says, but he is scarcely
correct in the manner in which he puts it, viz., that Remount Officers are
prohibited from purchasing branded mares except from dealers. The order of
Government is clear and lays down that no branded mare can be purchased
by a Remount Officer unless the owner is in possession of a certificate certify-
ing that the mare is barren. Remount Officers are therefore prohibited from
buying such mares even from dealers, but still they do, and I fear in much
H