104
I feel convinced that, if these alterations are made, improvement may
confidently be expected.
Inspection of stal-
lions, Bahawalpur
State.
I halted at Bahawalpur on my way in order to inspect the horse and
donkey stallions that were collected from the various Tehsils. I found that
at least three of the five horses should be replaced, and that five excellent
donkeys were employed. I trust to see the three horses replaced shortly.
Jellalabad Horse
Show.
I then proceeded to Jellalabad (Ferozpore district) to attend the Horse
Show held in the Mamdot Estate.
Hyderabad (Sind).
I next visited Hyderabad (Sind), where I inspected the new dispensary
being built, and found that, with accommodation for dispensaries, 6 bullocks
and 5 horses, the cost was to be Rs. 13,500. It is said that this is the standard
plan, but, having seen this one, I shall be in a position to advise the Chief Com-
missioner in that Province when others are proposed to be built.
Talhar Horse Show.
I then proceeded to Talhar, distant 46 miles from Hyderabad, in order to
attend a Horse Show that was held there. This being the first year during
which the horse and mule breeding operations in Sind have been handed over
to this Department, it was essential that I should make myself as well ac-
quainted with the Province as I could. I was able to discuss the re-allotment
and location of the stallions with Mr. Steele, the Collector, to whom my best
thanks are due for the ready assistance he gave me. The general management
of the horses was a subject that occupied much of my attention, for although
district orders had been issued that none but branded mares were to be covered
by the Government stallions, still miserable tats, not more than 13 hands in
height, had been covered and were supplied with covering certificates. The
care of the stallions left much to be desired, and I trust that the result of
my visit will be that they will be better looked after in future.
The various questions which arose on the management of the Talhar Show
will be found detailed under that head.
Bombay:Reasons
adduced for falling
off of Arab Horse
Market.
From Talhar I proceeded to Bombay in order to complete my purchases
for the year. I fully discussed the decline of the Arab market with
Mr. Oomer Jamal Vuyani, when he informed me that he attributed it to the
following causes:—
(a) The demand for ponies being so greatly in excess of that for
horses.
(b) The fact that Native Cavalry buy so largely of Walers instead of
Arabs.
(c) Existence of plague.
He also gave me the following statistics:—
Persians—usual importations 1,000 to 1,500.
This year 60.
Arabs—usual importations 3,000 to 3,500.
This year 1,500.
Visit to various
Firms to see agri-
cultural and dairy
implements.
Whilst in Bombay I took the opportunity of visiting Messrs. Richardson
and Cruddas' Foundry and Mr. Patuck's Dairy, to enquire carefully into the
question of the supply of agricultural and dairy implements required for the
Hissar Farm.
Visit to Allaha-
bad Grass Farm
and Poona Farm.
On my return from Bombay, I visited the Allahabad Grass Farm, inquir-
ing carefully into dairy arrangements. I also visited the Poona Dairy.
In February 1899, in accordance with orders received from the Govern-
ment of India, I visited Hissar with a view of framing the Budget Estimate
for 1899-1900.