8
46. At an interview with His Honor, it was, therefore, decided that I should
consider whether a suitable site could not be obtained elsewhere. With this object
in view, I visited Abbottabad. Having placed myself in communication with the
Deputy Commissioner of Hazara, it was decided to assemble a Committee to report
upon a suitable site, and to discuss the question whether there would be any
objections, on Military grounds, to the location of a Depôt at that station.
47. In September last, a Committee composed of:—
Lieutenant-Colonel Hawkes, Commanding at Abbottabad,
Veterinary-Colonel Queripal, Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department,
A. Grant, Esq., Assistant Commissioner, Hazara,
W. H. Johnson, Esq., Executive Engineer, Hazara Provincial Division,
Veterinary-Lieutenant Walker, Officiating Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab
assembled at Abbottabad.
Two sites were inspected:—
(a).
One situated about one mile from Cantonments on the Mansehra road.
This site had the advantage of being close to Cantonments, but it was
found that about one-third of the land which would be required was
stony and unproductive. This site had also the disadvantage of being
in the vicinity of the Butts.
(b). One situated about 4 miles from Cantonments on the road leading to
Mansehra. This site affords everything that is necessary. The land
is of excellent quality and is capable of bearing two crops annually.
Adjoining this arable land is a piece at higher elevation in every way
suitable for the erection of stables. This site has the further advantage
of being close to the road leading from Mansehra to the village of
Mirpur which would facilitate grain being obtained. It is beyond the
'Rukhs' allotted to Royal Artillery and Transport, and close to others,
the property of zemindars.
48. After careful consideration, the Committee decided that the second
named site would be the best. The Committee further expressed their opinion
that the location of a stallion Depôt on the site selected would in no way prove
prejudicial to the Cantonments, and on the other hand, the Member appointed by
the District, expressed his opinion that it would prove of great benefit to the horse
and mule-breeding interests of the district.
49. I have, therefore, been in a position to forward this scheme for the con-
sideration of the Government of India. It is one which commends itself to me
greatly, as during a portion of the period when I held the appointment of Super-
intendent, Horse Breeding Operations, Punjab, the Depôt was located at Abbotta-
bad, which, possessing as it does, a medium climate, I consider it to be one of the
best stations in India in which to acclimatize horses, or in which horses that require
treatment or rest can best be brought back to health. I, therefore, trust that it will
meet with the approval of the Government of India as I feel that it will not only
be to their advantage but also to that of one of the best horse-breeding Provinces
in India.
Transfer of horse-
breeding in Sind
from Provincial
to Imperial
control.
50. In my last Administration Report I showed that it was proposed to
hand over the horse and mule-breeding operations in the Bombay Presidency to
the Imperial Government; the reasons will be found recorded therein. The
Bombay Government did not quite approve of the transfer, but were again address-
ed by the Government of India on the subject, when it was stated that the
question of transferring that portion which is carried out in the Presidency proper
would be abandoned in deference to the objections which His Excellency the
Governor in Council entertained. It was further stated that owing to the great
advantages which it was thought would result from the transfer of these operations
in Sind, it was considered advisable that these should be transferred to Imperial
control. One of the great reasons in favor of this change was pointed out to be,
that whereas the Bombay Superintendent has to travel 500 miles by sea and 300
by rail before he reaches his first stand in Sind, the duties of the Superintendent,
Baluchistan, to whom it was proposed to transfer Sind, take him close to Jacobabad
which may be described as the Head Quarters of horse-breeding operations in the
first named Province.