57
Jhelum, as the breeders of the district prefer to attend the Shows held at
Rawalpindi and Gujrat to attending their own.
Kurnal Horse
Show.
279. This Show was held on 22nd and 23rd February 1892. No district
shows the effect of the famine on its horse stock more plainly than Kurnal.
It had a very good sprinkling of fine mares at one time and a large proportion
of smaller mares which, if crossed with good Arabs, would at least have given
Native Cavalry remounts. Owing, however, to the scarcity of fodder which
has prevailed, the owners have either had to sell them or have sent them to
other districts to graze. This will account for the falling off in numbers—500
from 595—and for the fact that some of the young stock had not developed as
it should.
280. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, reports the mares
which competed for prizes as, generally speaking, poor—wanting in quality
although possessing fair bone and size. This may be due to the fact that this
district has been overdone by the Norfolk Trotter. During the year under
review, one Hackney has been removed and a Thoroughbred has been sent in
his place.
281. No remounts were purchased, although the Deputy Commissioner
reports 11 horses as having changed hands at an average price of R174. This
would almost look as if the Native Cavalry had missed a few.
Lahore Horse
Show.
282. This Show was held on 24th and 25th March 1899. I feel very guilty
at the repetition year by year of the same thing, but now the time has come
when I shall recommend for the consideration of the Local Government that
the Show should be discontinued. The breeders do not take an interest in it,
probably owing to the fact that Lahore is too far distant from the best breeding
centres, viz., Raewind, Kasur and Chunian; besides which, they have such
certain sale of young stock at their homes that there is no necessity for them
to attend the Show. That the Zemindars do not take an interest in the Show
is proved by the fact that whilst three Tehsils have some of the best brood
mares in the Punjab, only 46 competed in this class. Again, last year I
showed that six Thoroughbreds were employed in the district, and during the
year under review the same number of Thoroughbreds and four Arabs have
been employed, and as these have covered their full complement of mares for
some years past, it is only natural to suppose that there were many foals by
them. If, however, we look at the prize list, we find 21 taken by Hackney
produce, 10 by Thoroughbreds and 8 by Arabs. This is out of all proportion,
considering that only 5 Hackneys or Norfolk Trotters are employed in the
district against 10 Thoroughbreds and Arabs.
283. This, I think, conclusively proves that the dealers buy up all the
best stock, and that only such as are not considered worth purchasing are
brought to the Show. Only 63 head of young stock competed; this is out of
all proportion to the number of stallions employed and the number of mares
covered.
284. The Judging Committee recommend that this Show be abolished,
and the Remount Agent who was unable to purchase a single head of young
stock, says:—
"The prizes are far in excess of the merits of the classes exhibited."
I agree, and will address the Local Government with a view of either
abolishing the Fair or of reducing the amount awarded as prizes.
Montgomery Horse-
Show.
285. This is purely a local gathering. Last year was the first year for
many years that a Horse Show was held; it was then held at Gogeira and
was a very great success. This year it has been a partial failure owing, as
the Deputy Commissioner states, to the want of fodder in the district and the
belief that fodder would not be found in Montgomery.
286. The Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab, referred
the case to me for my opinion whether it would not be advisable to discontinue
this Show, but knowing that good mares are to be found in the district, and as
horse-breeding is in a backward state, I have deemed it advisable to recom-
mend that it should be held for another year, and, if my recommendations are
adopted for the abolition of certain other Shows, I hope to be in a position
to recommend the allotment of a certain amount from Imperial funds to be
awarded as prizes, in order to increase the interest taken in horse-breeding in
this district.