65
The above will show the value of the Arab as a sire.
333. In addition to the above 13, the following were purchased:—
19th Bengal Lancers . . . . . . .
6th Bombay Cavalry . . . . . . .
Zhob Levy Corps . . . . . . . .
Police . . . . . . . . .
TOTAL
22
12
30
22
86
Major Templer, who bought for the 19th Bengal Lancers, states:—
"A most excellent show of horses. The majority meeting the requirements of Native Cavalry in every
way. The horses of this and the Quetta district show a lot of quality, and are compact, well put together, with
plenty of bone. With regard to the Northern horses, I do not as a rule go in for them as they do not seem to
me to have the good looks and quality of the country-bred of this country; but I purchased eight of the Meshed
horses, and these I am very pleased with, as they showed quality, had plenty of bone and moved well. At the
Quetta Fair the same good class of horse is to be had, but, excepting Quetta, the horses I have seen here are in
my opinion far better than what I have seen at Fairs in the Punjab I have attended during the last six years."
The average price paid for Native Cavalry remounts was R267.
334. The number of mules rose from 71 to 90. I hope in a few years to
see this Province one of the best mule-breeding centres of India. There are
any number of small mares eminently suited for mule breeding, and I feel
sure that under Veterinary Captain Maxwell's supervision this industry will
rapidly develop. Already five useless donkeys have been destroyed, and five new
ones have been allotted to the Province. Although we can produce the mules,
still we cannot force or even expect breeders to keep them up to four years of
age. Unless, therefore, some system is adopted by which transport mules are
bought at an earlier age than they are at present, Government will not derive
the benefit from their mule-breeding operations they otherwise would.
335. On this subject, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
states:—
"There was a considerable increase in the number of mules exhibited, and a fair number of three-year
old mules fit for transport might have been purchased.
"An officer of the Transport Department from Karachi attended the Show, but as he was directed not to
buy under four years of age, he did not purchase any. Twenty mules were bought by Resaldar Ude Singh for
the Bhavnagar Lancers, and I also saw dealers buying them."
336. Veterinary Captain Maxwell brings to notice the fact that 75 per
cent. of the exhibits of this Show come from Baluchistan, and that a correspond-
ing amount of Sind money, of which Local Funds contribute R3,700, is
yearly carried away by Baluchis. I am surprised that this has never been
brought to notice before. A conference was held after the Show between the
Deputy Commissioner, Upper Sind Frontier, the Superintendent, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, and myself, at which I proposed certain alterations in the
prospectus which will have the effect, if carried out, to stimulate horse and
mule breeding in the Province. The principal changes advocated were:—
Two closed classes to be reserved for breeders in Sind on the lines of Class
1 (a) and (b), viz.—
Branded mares covered by Government stallions.
Ditto
with foal at foot by Government stallions.
This will revive the hardships above alluded, by which Baluchis take the
greater part of the Sind money.
The class for unbranded mares to be expunged.
A class for branded fillies to be added,
No prizes to be given to colts over one year of age.
More money to be given as prizes to mules.
The above were amongst the most important changes advocated, and I
feel sure that if they are adopted, they will be the means of increasing the
interest taken in Sind in both horse and mule breeding.
Moro Horse Show
(Hyderabad
District).
337. This Show was held from 17th to 19th January 1899, and was a
great success in many ways. The numbers that attended rose from 392 to 942.
K