34
Two thousand six hundred and seventy-nine were branded against 2,571
last year, showing an increase of 108. This represents the number branded
for horse breeding only. Branding for pony breeding only exists in Bombay.
143. The cause of the reduction in the number of mares branded in
Baluchistan is stated as follows by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department:—
"As I have now for three consecutive years marched through all the horse breeding districts of the Agency,
and have branded most of the mares, it must be expected that the annual number of brandings will now
decrease."
144. Referring to the question of branded mares in Sind, Veterinary
Captain Maxwell states:—
"On paper I am supposed to have taken over on the 1st April 1898, 6,123 branded mares. These are
shown as follows:—
Horse breeding.
3,139
Pony breeding.
600
Mule breeding.
2,384
Total.
6,123
"As throughout the year branding for pony and mule breeding has been discontinued, I shall make no
further reference to them, but what about the 3,139 branded mares shown for horse breeding. So far the zilla-
dars appointed to the Province have not had time or opportunity to verify the register of branded mares, and I
can only state that, so far as my present knowledge goes, from my recent touring in Sind, I am of opinion
that not more than a third of the above number of branded mares are now in the Province. If that number of
mares are there, it is hard to understand the figures:—
Branded mares . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mures covered . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,139
431
I make no assertion as regards the above figures. I only state matters as represented by returns submitted to
me."
Certificates grant-
ed by District
Officers to allow un-
branded mares to be
covered.
145. The North Punjab Circle was the only one in which certificated
mares were to be found in any numbers. In the North-Western Provinces
there are none, and in South Punjab there are only 30, and of these, 28 are
to be found in the Dera Ghazi Khan district, where the matter can be safely
left in the hands of the present Deputy Commissioner. On this subject, the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, states:—
"There were 155 certificated mares present in the North Punjab Circle on the 1st April 1898, and 86
certificates were issued during the year by various District Officers authorised to grant them, making a total of
241, of which 223 were struck off the register for the following reasons:—
Branded . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rejected . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sold and transferred . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certificates cancelled . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Died . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stolen . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total .
24
17
14
161
6
1
223
"which leaves a balance of 18 mares present at the close of the year. Eighty-nine certificated mares were
covered by Government stallions during the year.
"The increase of certificates cancelled is due to many owners not bringing their mares to be branded. In
Dera Ismail Khan this was particularly the case, the owners had two opportunities, as I visited the district on
two occasions (as I did also Bannu and Kohat).
"Remarks on the subject of the owners not bringing them up in the Dera Ismail Khan district were made
last year. Mr. Turnbull (late Superintendent) considered they had been given quite enough law, and that
except the recently issued certificates they should all be cancelled, and as I verbally informed you that very few
certificated mares were forthcoming this year, I acted according to your instructions and desired the Deputy
Commissioner to confiscate all those who had the opportunities afforded them to have their mares branded.
An owner told me if we give them thoroughbreds that they will be used; the Arab and other breeds are not
desirable horses to put to their mares. The experiment will be tried.
"The people in all districts are perfectly aware of the rules relating to certificates, and I think that at the
end of the year all should be withdrawn except the more recent ones, i.e., those granted after my last visit to
the district.''
146. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, remark-
ing on the certification system, remarks:—
"Reports were received from 17 out of 35 officers on the list. Six of them have certified 90 mares and
the rest have not exercised their powers owing to their being in non-breeding districts or press of other work.
"The rule A, under Government Resolution in the Revenue Department, No. 6985, dated 21st August
1894, whereby certificates can only be issued in districts where the number of branded mares has not reached
an average of 50 per stallion, is not observed. Owners generally failed to produce the certificates with the
mares, and great difficulty was experienced in ascertaining whether all of them were certificated or not. Only
22 mares bearing certificates were inspected and branded during the year. Almost all officers are unanimous
in stating that owners do not avail themselves of the opportunity offered them of having their mares certifi-
cated under the system. As the number of branded mares in every breeding district has already reached—in
some cases exceeded—an average of 50 per stallion, the system cannot be made applicable to this Presidency
if the above-quoted rule A is to be strictly adhered to. It is therefore again recommended that the system
should be discontinued."