24
"The object I had in view in making the above recommendations, and in dealing generally with the
improvement of stock on the island, was as much in our interests in India as in the interests of the island
itself.
"I cannot conclude my report without recording my best thanks to His Excellency the High Commis-
sioner of the island, to the Chief Secretary to Government, and to Dr. Heidenstam, for their great kindness
during my stay in Cyprus. I was assisted in every way, and it was due to their assistance that I was able
to make myself as fully acquainted as I have done with the resources of the island during my short visit."
101. In April 1898 I showed the Government of India how inadequately
supplied this Department was with Jacks. I pointed out that, although our sanc-
tioned strength was 375, still, after deducting animals under acclimatization,
and therefore unfit for work, we had hut 332 at our disposal. But, in addition
to this, 94 were 16 years of age and over. I showed that although many of
these were almost worthless, still they had to be used owing to the difficulties
experienced in obtaining more Jacks. I pointed out that many of our donkeys
were overworked, this being shown by the high average of coverings in the
Punjab. To obviate this great strain in that Province, I suggested that from
our strength 25 country-breds should be eliminated annually, and that these
should be placed in the hands of Lumbardars. As will be shown later on, this
has been done, and 24 have been handed over and have been replaced by a
similar number obtained from Cyprus (two batches).
102. I then pointed out that to put our establishment of donkeys on a
satisfactory basis, 131 would be required, but matters have certainly not
improved since then. All we can expect this year, and that only if our indents
are supplied in full, are:—
By importation—
Italians, etc.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Cyprians .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
By purchase in India—
Persians .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Country-breds.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
20
25
4
9
58
Our requirements will be as follows:—
Deficiency in last year's indents, including Italians, Persians, and
country-breds .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Required as annual increase to replace country-breds banded over to
Lumbardars
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Annual requirements to meet casualties,
etc..
....
Required for Native States
.
.
.
.
.
.
„
as an increase in Sind .
.
.
.
.
.
25
25
58
7
15
130
and to meet this we can only, as I have shown above, expect to receive 58 if
our indents are supplied in full. To more clearly demonstrate my statement I
would remark that during the year under review, 52 old and useless donkeys
had to be destroyed; 13 casualties have occurred, and to meet this deficiency
only 44 were available for allotment, and of this number 12 had to be given to
Sind. We may therefore say that we are 33 worse off than we were last year,
and still there are 62 Jacks on our registers over 16 years of age, many of
which should be got rid of.
103. The question is therefore from what source can we expect to com-
plete this deficiency. We cannot expect more than 20 from Mr. Sutherland,
as the supply from the Continent is very restricted, neither can we draw on
Cyprus to any greater extent than we propose to do. Our original indent for
this year from that island is 25, and in addition to this, various Native States
have asked to be supplied with 7, making a total of 32, which is as much as
can be expected for one year. The Persian market has failed for so many
years that it can be relied on no longer. During the past year only 4 were
obtained of the 15 expected. Any idea of obtaining Jacks from Jamaica has
had to be abandoned owing to the cost which would be entailed, their price
being £60 on the island, plus transit charges to Liverpool and thence to India.