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"I feel that some explanation is due from me as to why I did not comply with my instructions to
personally select the extra number required, the reason being that I found it would necessitate a lengthened stay
of from six weeks to two months in the island, and this I was not justified in doing under existing orders.
Besides which I feel that we can fully rely on Dr. Heidenstam's selection. I have given him the standard
required, and have carefully explained to him the faults which are to be guarded against in donkeys required for
India, and I am fully convinced that he will supply us with the best that the island can furnish.
"From Nicosia I proceeded to Limasol, and thence to Troodos to stay with His Excellency the High
Commissioner, when the following points came under discussion:—
"The export of donkeys from the island.—I find that large numbers leave the Island annually, amongst
the most regular shipments being—
To Herzegovina, 10 or 12 Jacks annually.
To a private farm near Constantinople, 7 or 8 yearly.
To the island of the Grecian Archipelago, such as Rhodes and others, 1 or 2 each.
To Caiffa (Syria) about 30, but these are generally indifferent.
Syria generally imports large numbers of young ones of one year old, in order to rear them.
I therefore suggested for His Excellency's consideration that a small export tax should be imposed.
"I made the above suggestion having two objects in view: first, to stop the wholesale export of young
stock to Syria; and secondly, to enable the Government to award prizes at the large shows for donkey stallions.
At present the Government of Cyprus does not feel justified in increasing expenditure, and at the same time
something is required to keep up the standard of the donkeys, and to induce breeders to use their better
mares for this purpose. Large Fairs are held annually at—
Famagusta in March.
Larnaca in April.
The Carpas in September.
Papho in September.
"If prizes were awarded at these Fairs for the best donkey stallions, I feel convinced that the result would
be most beneficial; in this opinion His Excellency fully concurs. It would further enable the Commissioners
of the districts to explain to the breeders the advisability of using better mares for breeding donkey stallions.
I laid before His Excellency the necessity of most carefully upholding the splendid breed of donkeys now to
be found in the island; much of the prosperity of the peasantry depends on mule and donkey breeding, and
as the donkey is the basis without which nothing can be done, it behoves the Authorities to foster their
breeding with the greatest care, bearing in mind that which has occurred in Malta, which island was at
one time famous for its breed of donkeys, but in which not a single stallion donkey of any value can now be
found. Even for mule breeding, application has been made to Cyprus from Malta for jacks. Taking the
above into consideration, I feel that we are demanding much of Cyprus in asking it to contribute 61 donkey
stallions during the year to India; still, as in all probability the number will not exceed 50, I am of opinion
that no harm can accrue. This however should not be repeated, otherwise we would do an injury to the
island. As I have before said, for some few years, our demands should, if possible, not exceed 25 or 30. I
say for some few years, as I feel convinced that breeding donkeys will be more largely embarked in, now
that it is known that India will deal largely with the island.
"On this point, His Excellency the High Commissioner is of opinion that if the Government of India
would guarantee to take a regular supply, say, of 25 or 30 Jacks annually, that it would tend to better ones
being obtained, as private individuals would, as in fact has already been done, commence breeding from good
mares for the Indian market. As we shall certainly require this number and even more for some years to
come, I would most strongly recommend, for the consideration of the Government of India, that His
Excellency be informed that we shall be prepared to take this number regularly, at approximately the prices
now ruling in the market, provided they are of the stamp which I have carefully explained to the Authori-
ties, or such donkeys as Nos. 1 to 9, on the foregoing list. Dr. Heidenstam also informed me that if this
guarantee were given, he would purchase as a private speculation Jacks of 2 years of age, retaining them in
the island for two years where gram and fodder are very cheap. This would aid in their development, and
would be of advantage to the Government of India, as better Jacks would be supplied.
"His Excellency further consulted me as to whether any further means might be adopted—
(a) with regard to improving the breed of donkeys;
(b) with regard to the improvement of ponies of the island.
"I strongly recommended with reference to (a) that at least two of the best Jacks that the island could
produce should be maintained at Government expense in each district in Cyprus, but that no attempt should
be made to introduce foreign blood. I was aware that this had been proposed, and I cannot but record my
opinion that any such step would be fatal. The ilsand possesses a most excellent breed, and my advice is
to improve it solely by selection; this can most easily and rapidly be done at a very trifling cost. In fact,
so strongly do I feel on this subject that I would either impose a heavy tax on the importation of donkeys,
or prohibit their being brought into the Island altogether.
"With reference to (b), I saw that there was a wish in the island to produce size; in fact, in one quarter
I heard a suggestion that a small Hackney should be produced. Any such measure would be fatal to the
interests of mule breeding, which, as I shall show in a subsequent report, dealing solely with Cyprian mules,
is of such importance to the peasantry. Increase the size of the mares to any great extent and you will
produce a mule which cannot be maintained on the food obtainable on the island, and the most excellent
class of mule now to be found, and which owe their value to their medium size, rendering them fit for pack
purposes, would cease to exist. I am, however, of opinion that the ponies might be generally improved by
the introduction of high caste Arab ponies, not exceeding 14 hands; this class of sire would give them more
bone and substance which at the same time would be beneficial to the mule.
"My suggestions made to His Excellency the High Commissioner may be summarised as follows:—
(a) The levying of a small tax on all donkeys exported.
(b) The levying of a heavy tax on all imported donkeys, or, if possible, the prohibition altogether against
their being imported into the island.
(c) The awarding of prizes at all the large Fairs to donkey stallions.
(d) The maintenance on the part of Government of at least two good indigenous Jacks in each dis-
trict.
(e) The maintenance of a few good Arab pony stallions not exceeding 14 hands, should it be decided
to undertake the improvement of the breed of ponies.