49
"Prior to visiting a district a copy of my tour is sent to the Collector giving the dates
on which it is proposed to visit a certain village. He is asked to warn all the village
authorities to collect mares and give me all the assistance in their power. The Mámlatdárs
with a few exceptions (which I have reported) have always attended during the time the
mares are being branded, as I make it a rule to ask breeders if they have any complaints to
make about the stallions, whether they have any difficulty in getting their mares covered,
and generally explaining the system on which Government are endeavouring to work, and
the system adopted for the purchase of young stock for the Remount Rearing Depôt. On
these occasions I find the presence of the Mámlatdár most useful, as in addition to making
him conversant with the system, he is then in a position to explain it hereafter to any
breeders who may not be present. I also find that these small village gatherings are most
useful in many ways, as they tend to bring one in touch with what is actually taking place
in the neighbourhood, and much useful information is obtained which could not be got
through any other source. I do not see that any improvement under this particular head
could be made on the present system."
Cost of feed and keep of
stallions,
16. The following table shows that there is a
general increase in the cost of feed of all the stallions
during the year under report as compared with the
previous year:—
Stallion.
1
Horse
...
...
...
Pony
...
...
...
Average horse and pony ...
Donkey
...
...
...
...
Average cost of feed of
each stallion.
1995-96.
2
Rs.
363
329
351
270
1896-97.
3
Rs.
425
367
405
305
Difference.
4
Rs.
+ 62
+ 38
+54
+ 35
Total cost of each
stallion including
transit charges.
1895-96.
6
Rs.
386
331
368
292
1896-97.
6
Rs.
454
368
425
326
Difference.
7
Rs.
+ 68
+ 37
+ 57
+ 34
The rise of course is due to scarcity and dearness of forage. The new sta-
bles at the Depôt, which were occupied this year for the first time, seem to be
very satisfactory, and arrangements are being made to raise fodder crops by
irrigation, and to secure regular supplies of grass from Government reserves,
which, it is hoped, will result in a material economy in feed and keep.
Total cost of the Department.
17. The total cost of the Department was
Rs. 68,733, or Rs. 341 less than during the previous
year.
Stallions maintained by
Local Boards, Native States
and private gentlemen.
18. There is only one Local Board stallion in the Presidency, viz. the Arab
horse stallion at Hyderabad. He covered 23 mares,
and the cost of feed on his account was Rs. 379. The
performances, even if compared with those of the
Government stallions in the neighbourhood, are not
very encouraging. Personally I should be very glad to see the system of Local
Board stallions expanding. By having in the district a well-chosen horse, which
can serve unbranded mares, there is certain to result an improvement in the
stock available for the brand. But with the many other calls upon them I
doubt whether Local Boards will do much in this direction.
* No. A/1143 dated 19th April
1897.
No. A/1448 dated 15th May
1897.
Regarding operations in Native States, I venture
to quote the following paragraphs from two reports*
recently submitted by me to Government, which will
show how things are progressing in Cutch and
Káthiáwár:—
"5. As regards Cutch and Káthiáwár, a policy of non-interference
has been deliberately adopted with marked success. Attempts were at one
time made to induce the Chiefs to accept advice regarding the conduct of
B 563—13