2
The Australian imports were 1,356—an increase of 280 as compared with
last year.
The Arab 2,340—an increase of 954.
There was a falling off in the Persian imports, which show a decrease of 42,
i.e., the number of horses, no ponies, imported in 1897-98, was 118, whereas
only 76 arrived in this year.
One remarkable feature in the imports this year is the large number of
ponies that have come into the country as compared with 1897-98, which shows
that there must be a large demand for this class of animal. Taking three of
the most important pony-importing countries, the figures are as follows:—
England
Australia
Arabia
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Totals
1897-98.
... 14
... 61
... 123
... 198
1898-99.
29
164
842
1,035
Increase.
15
103
719
837
I wish it to be understood that the figures given in Appendix No. V are
only applicable to animals brought to Bombay by private individuals and do not
include Government stallion imports.
The following Government stallions were landed and received during the
season by this Department for despatch to the various depôts:—
Hired Transport "Dunera"
„
"Dilwara"
... 8 English horses.
... 5 English horses and 1 Poitou-Catalan donkey.
Private lines of steamers brought 61 donkeys as follows:—
"Amphitrite"
"Woolwich"
"Melbridge"
"Manilla" ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
... 15 Cyprian.
... 12 „
... 24 „
... 10 Italian.
The "Woolwich" and "Melbridge" carried cargoes of kerosene oil, and
as such vessels are not permitted to come into dock, the donkeys had to be
transhipped to barges in the stream. Thirty-six donkeys had to be landed in
this way, which caused considerable risk, not to speak of the extra labour and
unnecessary delay it entailed. To obviate this, it would be better if vessels
were selected that were carrying cargoes other than kerosene oil.
In all 13 horses and 62 donkeys were landed on account of the Government
of India and were kept and cared for generally at the College until fit to travel.
In addition to the above 23 Arab stallions, 2 Waler mares and 4 Arab
donkey stallions purchased locally by the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary
Department, were received for despatch to the Depôt at Babugarh. Thus 104
animals passed through our hands during the season, and, I am glad to say,
without any accidents.
The cost per head for landing, despatching, purchase of gear, &c., averages
Rs. 12-5-10 as compared with Rs. 20-5-3 in 1897-98 and Rs. 18-13-6 in l896-97—
a distinct saving to the Imperial Government.
I wish to place on record the ready assistance rendered on all occasions by
the Royal Indian Marine Department in enabling me to land the stallions with
the least possible delay.
10. The most careful inspections of all shipments of horses from the
Colonies have been carried out by me and my staff with the view to detect the
presence of ticks. None, however, were discovered in spite of the most minute
search being made. In a few cases, where there was some slight question of
doubt, the microscope was brought into use, but with negative results.
11. The packing too closely together of horses in some of the steamers
coming from the Persian Gulf is to be condemned, and it is my intention to
make thorough enquiries into the matter during the next importing season with
the view to bring pressure to bear on the Shipping Companies concerned, so as
to mitigate this evil.