10
48. Remounts.—A large and useful lot but lacking the quality of former
years. The total number of registered animals that changed hands amounted
to—rearing depôt 18, remounts 164, private individuals 216, making a grand
total of 318. Amongst the above 218 purchased by private individuals, 188
were taken by the Punjáb dealer Vazir Khan, who horses several Bengal Caval-
ry regiments, and the Bombay and Calcutta Tramways.
49. The success of the Show was marred by the fact that before the Show
commenced and before many of the buyers arrived, the best horses had been
sold, put on the train and taken out of the district. The large Punjáb dealers
received intimation as soon as the horses reached Pishin from Heerat. They
at once came up, visited the villages where the horses were standing and con-
cluded their purchases many days before the fair was advertized to commence.
This procedure on their part cannot but ultimately have the most disas-
trous effects on the welfare of the Show, as several officers arrived four or five
days before the fair and found that the horses had already been purchased.
Dealers were consulted and suggestions placed by the Committee before the
Agent to the Governor General with a view of preventing this in future, which,
I trust, will have the desired effect; otherwise, I feel sure that the fate of the
Quetta Show as regards northern horses is doomed.
Rájkot.
50. Commenced on the 24th November 1893. Total number of animals
exhibited amounted to 374 against 1,190 shown in 1890,
the date of the last Show held.
51. In point of numbers and quality of animals exhibited, the present
Show was considered to be the worst that has ever been held at Rájkot.
52. Classes.—Without a single exception they were very inferior, so much
so that in the majority of cases judges only gave one prize and in several, witheld
them altogether.
53. Mule-breeding.—Only one mule exhibited.
54 No sales took place and not a single head of young stock anything
approaching the Government standard was obtainable.
55. Definite proposals have been laid before Government with a view of
re-arranging Horse Shows in Káthiáwár.
Shikárpur.
56. Commenced on the 8th of January 1894. Total number of animals
exhibited amounted to 962 or 92 more than the number
(870) shown in 1892.
57. In point of numbers and quality of animals exhibited, the Show was a
record one, the total absence of inferior animals of any sort being particularly
noticeable.
58. Classes.—Brood mares and young stock classes were exceptionally
good.
59. Gelding.—Good.
A marked improvement has taken place lately in
Sind and Beluchistan in this particular class.
60. Mares and Mule-breeding.—A large and very good class of mares,
many, in the opinion of the judges, being too good for the industry.
61. Mules.—Very good. At least 20 fit for mountain batteries. Lieut-
enant-Colonel C. M. Keighley, Chief Commissariat Officer, Quetta Division, only
purchased four mules out of a class of 77 at an average price of Rs. 145. This
officer states: "That it was quite impossible to buy mules as the maximum price
given by Government would not tempt these men to sell." It is to be regretted
that more mules are not purchased at these Shows as there are already evident
signs of the decay of the industry in Sind.
62. Remounts.—A very large and excellent lot with few exceptions fit for
Cavalry purposes. The total number of registered animals that changed hands
amounted to—16 rearing depôt, 171 remouts, and 23 private individuals,
making a grand total of 210 sales. Amongst those purchased for the rearing
depôt and remounts, 61 were the produce of Government sires, 28 country-
breds of which the sires were doubtful, and the remaining 98 northern horses.