72
382. One hundred and eight head of stock were purchased by the Army
Remount Department, against 91 last year. The number of remounts bought
by Native Cavalry and Police was 770 and 100 respectively, against 1,013 and
69 last year. The reduction in the number bought by Native Cavalry is due
to the small number of Officers that attended the Fairs.
383. The number of mules bought by Government was 238, whilst 2,384
were purchased by others. This proves, as I have before shown, the great
trade which exists in mules in India.
384. Taken altogether, the Horse Shows of 1898-99 must be looked upon
as having been successful.
385. One point which forces itself very strongly on one's mind, after
reviewing the various Horse Fair and Show reports, is the enormous demand
which exists in this country for horse and mule stock. I have frequently
pointed out the exodus of young stock to Bengal; these are purchased by the
Bhujpuri dealers who rear them and sell them in the autumn, mainly to the
large Commission and Job establishments of Calcutta. I have shown that
from the Dera Ghazi Khan district alone at least 327 head of young stock are
exported annually, and we have Veterinary Lieutenant Smith's evidence that
he saw a drove of between 300 and 400 proceeding between Ferozepore and
Ludhiana. No doubt a large number are purchased by the dealers of Lahore
and Amritsar, and many of these find their way ultimately into the ranks of
our Native Cavalry.
386. I have before shown that there is a great exodus of young mule
stock into the Trans-frontier districts, especially into Swat; this was more than
ever noticeable this year at the Rawalpindi Horse Show. On this occasion,
the Deputy Commissioner informed me that at least 500 had been so exported,
and that high prices were paid.
387. I feel that at some Shows sufficient attention is not paid to the
records from which accurate information as to sales can be obtained. I,
however, purpose issuing a Circular to all Superintendents on this subject
and also to address the Punjab and North-Western Provinces Governments'
and the Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan, and the Commissioner
in Sind, asking them not only to endeavour to obtain reliable information on
this point, but also to ascertain, as far as possible, the destination of the
greater portion of the animals that are sold to others than Remount Officers.
388. To give some idea of the great demand which exists, I give the fol-
lowing statistics which have been submitted by the various District Officers:—
Bulandshahr (N.-W. P.)—
Remounts . . . . . . . . .
Private sales
.
. . . . . . . .
Amritsar—Sales other than Remounts—
1,855 Horses . . . . . . .
666 Ponies
.
.
. . . . .
690 Mules . . . . . . . .
488 Donkeys .
. . . . .
Dera Ghazi Khan—
47 for Military purposes . . . . . . .
327 Private . . . . . . . . . .
Gujrat—
19 for Military purposes . . . . . . .
255 Private .
.
. . . . .
Hansi—
13 for Military purposes . . . . . . . .
203 Private . . . . . . . . . .
Jellalabad—
21 for Military purposes . . . . . . .
2,016 Private . . . . . . . . .
Value.
R
1,32,768
31,582
63,750
11,993
Value.
R
13,332
22,428
2,40,093
11,593
41,607
2,655
23,217
3,015
13,000
5,336
1,37,088