189
Burgoor, Amritmahal, Alambadi, and mixed breeds, and were brought from
Palladam, Pollachi, Coimbatore, Metapolleum, Palaghat and Mysore. About 75
per cent. of the cattle were sold. Sanitary arrangements were fair. Owing to the
lake and the stream which are used to provide drinking water in good seasons
having run dry, and owing to the failure of rains there was difficulty in procuring
water. There were however some wells at a little distance away from which
water was obtained, though in some instances the owners of cattle had to pay 3
pies per head of cattle for water; 24 bullocks suffering from Foot and Mouth disease
were discovered in the fair grounds and were treated in the hospital erected for the
purpose. The following suggestions were made by the Stock Inspector:—
(1) That fields No. 107 and 109, an area of about 10¼ acres, are sufficient
for the occupation of cattle.
(2) That a main street might run from west to east, about 20 feet broad, and
another cross street on the eastern border of No. 107 from south to north. Two
more cross streets to admit of passage of carts to remove cattle dung at end of
rows. The main street should be indicated by flags being planted at suitable
distances.
(3) The cattle should be picketted in lines in the blocks.
(4) That no carts other than those belonging to the cattle dealers should be
allowed into the fair ground.
(5) That 8 constables be told off to the fair ground.
1060. Mecheri Cattle Fair, district Salem.—The Fair commenced on the 5th
March 1898 and lasted for eight days. About 5,000 cattle of Alambadi, Dharam-
puri, and Salem breeds attended the Fair. They were brought from the taluks of
Dharampur, Salem, Namakal, Trinchengode, Hosur and Karur. About 4,500
were sold. The market was dull on the first three days but later on dealers came
from Coimbatore, Malabar and Tinnevelly districts, and carried away the majority
of cattle. The sanitary arrangements were satisfactory; supply of water was
sufficient but the quality was not good. Six bullocks and four calves were admitted
to the hospital affected with Epizootic Aphtha but all were discharged as cured.
1061. Nirathanallur Cattle Fair, district Tanjore.—This Fair took place
from the 5th March to 16th March 1898. Alambadi, Kangayam, and local breeds
of cattle numbering 7,306 attended the Fair from the districts of Salem, Coimbatore,
North Arcot, South Arcot, Trichinopoly, Madura and Tanjore. About 80 per
cent. of the cattle offered for sale were disposed of. Cattle were sold briskly but
the prices realized were moderate. Sanitary arrangements were fair, and the
supply of water good and sufficient. There were four cases of Epizootic Aphtha,
these were all treated and discharged as cured.
1062. Canchamadavi Weekly Market, district South Arcot, was held on the
14th April 1898; 100 cattle of local breed were brought from the surrounding
villages. Of these 30 were sold. Sanitary arrangements were good and supply of
water was sufficient. There was no case of contagious cattle disease.
Central
Provinces.
1063. There are three important Fairs held in these Provinces, viz: Singagi,
Rajan, and Wan.
The report on the first named only has been received in this office, but
the details are extremely meagre. The following statements show the number of
cattle present at the Fair, with the prices at which they were obtained, also the
number of animals sold.
1064. It has been suggested that prizes should be offered to the best cattle
in each class, in other words, that there should be a Cattle Show in conjunction
with the Fair. These suggestions have commended themselves to the Commis-
sioner of the Division who has recommended that they should take effect at the
next Fair to be held in October 1898.