70
Kathiawar Horse
Show.
362. Remarking on this Show, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Bombay, states as follows:—
"Held at Rajkot on the 29th November 1898. The total number of exhibits amounted to 449 against
255 last year held at Junagad. A good number of brood mares and promising fillies was exhibited. It is
satisfactory to note that a certain number of mules was exhibited."
363. Remarking on the two Shows held in Bombay, the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"There were two Horse Shows during the year under report in the Presidency proper, against one last
year. The total number of exhibits at these two Shows was 937 against 855. As the Deccan Show was aban-
doned in 1897-98, the figures of 1896-97 are taken for comparison. It will be seen that there was an increase
of 82 exhibits. Although there was a great fall in the Deccan Show, it was more than compensated for by the
number returned by the Kathiawar Show. The stock exhibited was in perfect condition and speaks volumes
for the recuperative power of the country that has suffered so severely from the effects of famine for two
successive years."
MADRAS.
Berakai Pony Show.
364. Owing to the outbreak of plague in Bangalore and the fact that the
Mysore Province was declared a plague infected area, the Collector did not
deem it advisable to draw people in large numbers together. The Government
of Madras having approved, the Show was abandoned for the year.
Tirrupur Pony
Show.
365. This Show was held on 6th June 1898, and I am pleased to note that
it was a success. The Government of Madras do all they possibly can to
improve the breed of ponies in such districts in which there is any hope of their
being able to do so, and it is gratifying to note that their exertions are meeting
with success.
366. The Judging Committee consisted of—
Captain Birdwood, Army Remount Department.
Veterinary Lieutenant Shore, Army Veterinary Department.
367. The sum of R595 was distributed in prizes, and the following
summary will show the comparison which can be drawn between the year
under review and last year:—
Mares covered by Government stallions or with foal at
foot
Colts over nine and under 24 months . . . .
Fillies
ditto . . . . . .
Fillies over 24 months . . . . . .
Geldings, two years and upwards . . . .
1897.
48
19
8
8
12
1898.
52
19
12
11
8
368. The increase in the number of mares covered, and the increase in
the number of young stock competing, is satisfactory, but I would have
liked to have seen an increase in the Gelding class rather than a decrease.
369. The quality and condition of the ponies exhibited is reported as
good. The prize winners amongst the mares in foal were nearly as big as
the Government stallions, of which they were the progeny. They were in
excellent fettle and several of the foals were remarkably promising. No
animal was exhibited which at all resembled the country tat.
370. No mules were brought to the Show, and I fear that this industry
has not yet made much headway in the Madras Presidency. Still, we must
not take too despairing a view of this matter, for, had the Berakai Show
been held, I have no doubt that some mules would have competed for
prizes, as more is done in Salem than in Coimbatore, in which latter district
mule breeding is confined to the Taluk of Kollegal, which is a long distance
from Tirrupur.
Amount awarded
as prizes at Horse
Shows.
371. The sum of R24,500 was allotted towards prizes from Imperial
Funds; the increase of R3,000 being due to the expenditure in Sind.
372. The allotment remained the same as during the previous year,
but a perusal of the foregoing reviews of the various Horse Shows held
in India go to prove that a re-allotment is called for; many deserving Shows
are hampered for want of funds, whereas the allotment to others is excessive.
I have addressed the Local Governments concerned, and hope to be in a