56
and I further stated that, from long experience, there was no surer road to arrive at
this than to preclude their stock from competing at these local Horse Shows. It has,
I know, been argued that all stock should be allowed to compete, and that if stock
got by our Government sires cannot hold its own against that got by Country-bred
sires, we should be in a position to recommend that the large amount expended by
Government to encourage horse-breeding might be saved, but I do not consider the
question in this light at all; stock got by Government sires can beat Country-bred
stock out of the field, and on this point there is a general concensus of opinion
amongst all Remount Officers. The view I take of this question is that natives are
very conservative even when their conservatism is against their own interests, and
that the only way to overcome their prejudices against Government stallions is to
insist on the rule, which applies to all Shows except those of Bannu and Dera Ismail
Khan to the effect that produce must be by Government sires, being carried out.
297. My recommendation was not approved by the Deputy Commissioners of
these districts, and as the Settlement Commissioner and Director of Land Records
and Agriculture were of opinion that we should respect the opinions of these Officers,
and that we should not introduce the change at once, I deemed it advisable to fall
in with their views; still, I trust that the rule which prevails generally, will soon
be adopted in these districts, as I feel it will be for their ultimate good.
298. Malik Yar Mahomed competed for the Horse-breeding Medal by show-
ing what may well be described as a large and very fine collection of stock consist-
ing, as it did, of:—
47 branded mares.
6 fillies by 'Childebent' T.B.E.
9 colts
Do.
1 colt by 'Valour' N.T.
13 pony mares.
29 mules.
299. In reporting on the award of this Medal, the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, states:—
There were two other competitors who showed a few nice mares but they could not compare with Yar
Mahomed's stock.
The medal was, however, awarded to one of these competitors, Durana Khan
of Takhti Khel, as Malik Yar Mahomed Khan was not eligible, it having been
awarded to him last year.
Delhi Horse
Show.
300. This Show held on 2nd and 3rd February 1898, cannot be said to have
been a success either as regards the attendance or the quality of the animals that
were present. Only 258 animals attended this Show as against 604 in 1895.
The causes leading to this great falling off are attributed by the Deputy Commis-
sioner to the following facts:—
(a). That no Show was held in 1896 and 1897 owing to famine, and
this led zemindars to believe that the Delhi Horse Show had been
abolished.
(b). Some zemindars preferred to go to Aligarh which Show was held
shortly after that held at Delhi.
(c). That notices were not published in some places of the neighbouring
districts, although notices were sent to those districts.
301. This is confirmed by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
who, when touring round the districts of Delhi and Gurgaon, found that the breed-
ers knew nothing about the Horse Show being held, in fact so little publicity was
given to the matter that Ekka and Gharri Wallas in Delhi itself did not know that
a Show was being held. This is to be regretted.
302. Although very few animals were present, still the number that com-
peted was exactly the same as in 1895. This shows that there is still hope for
this Show.
303. The quality of the brood mares and young stock is not favorably re-
ported on by either the Judging Committee or the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department. A few promising fillies and foals by Government sires were exhi-
bited.