5
Stallions which produce the
most suitable stock for the
army.
12. Table V shows that out of 73 head of stock inspected by me and issued
from this depôt, 28 were issued to British Cavalry,
39 to Native Cavalry, and 11 rejected. 40 per cent.
of stock got by thorough-breds, 41 per cent. by Norfolk
Trotters and 16 per cent. by Arabs were issued to British
Cavalry; 70 per cent. of stock got by Arabs, 45 per cent. by thorough-breds and
50 per cent. by Norfolk Trotters were issued to Native Cavalry. This table
proves to a great extent that the first cross of the Arab on the Deccan mare is
seldom big enough for British Cavalry, although they make undeniable Native
Cavalry troopers, as they are powerful, well-balanced horses with good bone and
substance. The rejections, 11 in number, were sold by public auction and
realized the very high average of Rs. 562, an increase of Rs. 61 over last year.
This again proves the great value set by the public on stock got by Government
horses and reared in Government paddocks.
(2).—Remounts, Country-bred.
Number purchased.
13. The number of country-bred remounts purchased during the year is
given in Table VI, and the following table compares
the number with that of the past two years:—
By whom purchased.
Bombay Native Cavalry ... ... ... ...
Police, Northern Division... ... ... ...
Do. Central
do. ... ... ... ...
Do. Southern do. ... ... ... ...
Do. in Sind... ... ... ... ...
Remount Rearing Depôt, Ahmednagar ... ...
Do.
do.
Karnal ... ... ...
Tenth Punjab Lancers ... ... ... ...
First
do. Cavalry ... ... ... ...
Sixteenth Bengal do. ... ... ... ...
Fifteenth
do. Lancers... ... ... ...
Zhob Levy Corps ... ... ... ...
Total ...
1894-95.
356
3
10
8
222
57
6
7
10
6
...
...
685
1895-96.
259
6
...
...
143
69
...
...
...
12
3
29
521
1696-97.
128
1
3
2
143
27
...
...
...
...
...
...
304
14. There is a decrease of 217 as compared with last year. The Bombay
Native Cavalry only purchased 128 against 259 last year, and fewer horses were
purchased in Sind. The figures, viz. 27, for the Remount Rearing Depôt, Ahmed¬
nagar, are very disappointing, and I would like to bring to the notice of Govern-
ment the steady increase of price which has taken place throughout this
Presidency for stock got by Government sires. At all the various shows the
price asked by owners far exceeded the Government limit, and the few head of
stock which I was able to trace were sold after the show to dealers at consider-
ably more than Government prices. I will quote one instance unconnected with
a show. The Remount Agent and myself visited a village some 15 miles from
Ahmednagar, where several head of stock had been collected. Out of this num-
ber we selected 8 and offered the full price. The owners refused to sell and
took them away, and this in a year when great scarcity prevails and fodder is
difficult to obtain. The question now arises whether it would not be possible to
devise some scheme whereby Government has a lien on the produce of certain
horses and mares. The present system is very unsatisfactory and there can be
no doubt that a large number of young stock exists in the country which we are
unable to buy for Government purposes. Out of a total of 304 remounts pur-
chased, 91 are the known produce of Government sires.
B 563—2