5
21. The average measurements were as follows: —
Age.
5½ years.
Height.
14-3¼
Girth.
65¼
Shank.
7⅜
22. I am pleased to say that the Government of India have sanctioned
the increase of R500 per Arab stallion purchased which I advocated last
year. This will enable me to give an average of R2,500 per stallion and
will put me in a much better position in the Arab market than I have
previously been. I am specially pleased, as I can confidently state that the
price paid has not been a remunerative one to the dealer. Prices ruled very
high; as much as R8,000 was paid for one horse, and of Ali bin Talib's lot,
three horses which I did not much care for, sold for an average of R3,800, and
of those which I actually rejected, six were sold for R12,000.
23. When reviewing the various Horse Shows, and when remarking on
the class of stallions which get the best stock, I shall show how necessary it
is that we should be in a position to get this class of horse, and this is now
all the more necessary owing to the demand which there will be for some
years for service in Sind.
24. Veterinary-Major Brodie-Mills gives some useful information on the
subject of the importation of horses into Bombay. From a return received
from him I find the following were imported. These numbers do not include
the stallions imported for this Department:—
English . . . .
Australians . . .
Arabs . . . .
Persians . . . .
Country-breds . . . .
Burmans . . . .
Hungarians . . . .
Northern . . . .
TOTAL
Horse.
36
1,192
1,490
76
29
...
8
15
2,846
Ponies.
39
164
842
...
4
1
...
1
1,051
Donkeys.
...
...
8
...
...
...
...
...
8
25. Remarking on these figures, Veterinary-Major Brodie-Mills states:—
"During the year 3,905 horses and donkeys were imported into Bombay as against 2,809 in 1897-98 and
6,232 in 1896-97. The increase for this year stands at 1,096, which indicates that the horse trade is reviving
from the shock it received in the early stages of the outbreak of plague in Bombay. It will also be observed that
the fall in imports was a very great one in 1897-98 as compared with 1896-97. The difference stood at no
less than 3,423. The annual imports, however, although they show an improvement, are far below the average
of the last six years, which stands at 5,300.
"The Australian imports were 1,356—an increase of 280 as compared with last year.
"The Arab 2,340—an increase of 954.
"There was a falling off in the Persian imports, which show a decrease of 42, i. c , the number of horses
and ponies imported in 1897-98 was 118, whereas only 76 arrived in this year.
"One remarkable feature in the imports this year is the large number of ponies that have come into the
country as compared with 1897-98, which shows that there must be a large demand for this class of animal.
Taking three of the most important pony-importing countries, the figures are as follows:—
England . . . . .
Australia . . . . .
Arabia . . . . . .
TOTAL . . . . .
1897-98.
11
61
123
198
1893-99.
29
164
842
1,035
Incrense.
15
103
719
837
Hackney stallions.
26. It will be noticed that during the past year no Hackneys were
imported, and seeing the feeling which exists against this class of horse, it will
be some time before any are required. I shall show that the North-Western
Provinces have been deluged with Norfolk Trotter blood, the result being that
at the Fairs held in those provinces, the Army Remount Agent was only
able to purchase eight head of young stock.
27. I pointed out last year that the Royal Commission on Horse-breeding
stated that it was doubtful whether the continued introduction of Hackney
blood would prove advisable. This long continuation has existed in the North
estern Provinces to such an extent that it is possible to trace it to four genera
tions; the result has been fatal, and I am firmly of the opinion that in the