62
in this way they scored, for undoubtedly the young stock drifted into their
hands, but Captain Gough will be on the alert next year, and as he becomes
known to the breeders I trust to see a large number purchased.
314. The various opinions of Remount Officers on their purchases are as
follows:—
Captain Gough, Army Remount Department, remarks:—
"A nice level lot, showing much quality and up to the average of former years."
Veterinary Captain Maxwell remarking on this batch, says:—
"Five were by Thoroughbred English stallious, three by Arabs and one by a Norfolk Trotter. The
sires of the remaining two are unknown, although evidently by English sires."
Colonel Monteith, Commanding 6th Bombay Cavalry, states:—
"The class of remounts purchased were chiefly locally bred. A very good level lot and quite equal to
former years. The Northern horses on the whole I do not consider a good lot at all."
315. He further states that the market was very limited for remounts of
three years and upwards, but I am pleased to find from his Remount Roll that
out of nineteen purchased only three were three years of age, the remainder
being four years and upwards.
Captain Templer, 19th Bengal Lancers, says:—
"A very good show of horses, especially those bred in the district; strong, well put together horses,
showing a lot of quality and much better than those I have seen, in Punjab Horse Fairs during the last six
years."
Veterinary Captain Maxwell, speaking of the remounts obtained, says:—
"Personally, I am of opinion that there has never been such a good batch of mature district bred remounts
secured at Quetta as the one bought this year by Colonel Monteith, Commauding 6th Bombay Cavalry.
"In my opinion the stamp of horses obtainable at the Quetta Show is improving each year, and the
number of district bred remounts largely increasing."
Major Peirse, 5th Bombay Cavalry, remarks that the remounts were fewer
in number than usual. On this subject, Veterinary Captain Maxwell states:—
"I have personally learned from the importers (many of them Poshin men) that the excessive taxation
coming through the Amir's territory is almost prohibitive and the alternative route, viâ Seistan and Nushki,
is at present too unsafe for batches of horses, so many being stolen on the Persian Frontier where they can get
no redress."
316. Two classes were formed amongst the remounts: (a) Locally bred
stock, of which 43 competed. R200 was allotted to this class. (b) Northern
horses—a special allotment of R200 was given to this class at the request of
the Remount Officers, in order to encourage the importation of better horses.
317. The average price paid for Native Cavalry remounts at this Fair was
R268. This solely represents horses for Native Cavalry and does not include
those bought for Zhob Levies, which averaged R152.
Sibi Horse Show.
318. This Show was held on 20th February 1899 and following days, and
was an unqualified success. There was a small increase of locally bred
stock exhibited when compared with last year. The following table will show
the exact numbers:—
Branded mares in foal . . . . .
Branded mares with foal at foot . . . .
Fillies under 3 years of age . . . .
Fillies, 3 years old . . . . . .
„ 2 „ „ . . . . . .
Yearling colts . . . . . .
„ fillies . . . . . .
Foals, colts . . . . . .
„ fillies . . . . . .
Gelding, 4 years old . . . . . .
„ 3 „ „ . . . . .
„ 2 „ „ . . . . .
„
1 year „ . . . . .
Mules . . . . . . . .
1898-99.
258
35
20
72
71
55
41
20
32
12
22
18
21
13
1897-98.
208
24
23
59
54
40
35
24
29
11
18
23
10
3