51
I felt sure that this would be the result when it was urged upon me to
allot money to this class.
222. Captain Gough, Army Remount Department, remarks:—
"I would suggest Government prizes being given for locally-bred stock, as I think every inducement
should be offered to encourage the zemindars."
This suggestion will be given effect to.
Bannu Horse Show.
223. This Show was held on 17th and 18th March 1899 and was much like
its predecessors. There was a slight falling off in numbers, viz., 126 less were
present and 97 less competed for prizes when compared with last year; but, as
was then shown, this Show must be a fluctuating one, depending as it does on
Trans-frontier breeders. The rules of the Department as to coverings do not
hold good in this district, and the number covered mainly depends on the
certificates given by the Deputy Commissioner; still we should be able to
trace the progeny of the mares covered, with which view I shall address the
Deputy Commissioner, through the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, and endeavour to ascertain what becomes of the stock got by Govern-
ment stallions. I fear that a large proportion of it is absorbed beyond our
Frontier, otherwise we would see more of it than we do.
224. Malik Yar Mahomed Khan again showed a good collection of mares
and young stock. On this subject, Veterinary-Lieutenant Trydell states:—
"The Malik of Kalabagh again exhibited a lot of mares and fillies; all were well bred and cared for and
they proved clearly the great advantages to be gained by using Imperial stallions and looking after the young
stock. Their quality, size, combined with evenness and good colors, contrasted strongly against the ordinary
country-bred of the Waziris and others."
225. One of the most promising features is the fact that this Malik, in
addition to selling several remounts at Amritsar, was able to supply the 15th
Bengal Lancers with six.
226. The thoroughbred strain is nicking well with the Waziri mare, as
was to be expected. Amongst the branded fillies the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, brings to notice one by "Childebent" T. B. E.; this
filly was only 18 months old, she stood 15 hands, was 7½ inches below the
knee, and showed great quality.
227. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, brings to notice
with regret the fact that the District Board is unable to maintain ponies. He
points out that in a class of 144 unbranded mares and fillies, only half-a-dozen
were fit to be branded; the balance should all be covered by good small Arabs
if we wish to gradually improve the breed. The same holds good with many
of the Waziri mares exhibited.
228. The Deputy Commissioner, remarking on the popularity of this Show,
states:—
"The fact of the Fair not having been as numerously attended as in the previous years does not in the
least show that it is losing in popularity. Not only do the people of the district take great interest in working
it up, but the adjoining Khattacks from Kohat and the trans-border Waziris throng in great numbers to see
the Fair and concurrent sports, and I have no hesitation in saying that the Fair increases in popularity every
year. It has a great effect in stimulating horse-breeding and popularising the use of Government stallions,
and though it is too young to have made a marked difference in the stamp of horses bred in the district, this
must come about before very long. After Shahpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, I know of no district in the Punjab
with better stock to breed from than is to be found here, and there certainly can be no district in which a pride
in horses and interest in the breeding of them is so universal amongst the people. The Inspecting
Veterinary Officer told me he had not seen a better class of branded mares in foal than Bannu had to show."
Delhi Horse Show.
229 This Show was held on 20th and 21st February 1899, and cannot be
said to have been more successful than its predecessors. There was a slight increase
in the attendance, viz., 295 against 258 last year, but still no young stock
suitable for British Cavalry were obtainable by the Remount Agent. Seven
horses were, however, bought at a cost of R1,140, the highest price paid being
R260.
230. It is again clearly shown that the Arab is the class of stallion best
suited to this district, and so it will be until we have two or three strains of this
blood.
231. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, brings to notice
the fact of the inferiority of the stock got by the District Board pony. I have
addressed the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, with a view of
endeavouring to induce the District Board to replace him by a better one.
H 2