63
the Judging Committee, they were a level lot averaging 14-3 or 15 hands. The
young stock, generally speaking, showed much quality and there can be no doubt
that it is improving year by year.
374. That this Show far surpassed others previously held, we have only to
consider the Remount Rolls. The Remount Agent secured 13 head of young
stock against one last year.
375. The 19th Bengal Lancers bought 19 head of young stock. Every one
of these was by a Government sire. Fourteen were by Arabs, three by Hackneys,
one by Thoroughbred English, and one by Thoroughbred Australian. I think that
this says much for the Arab strain of which I am a great advocate. Major
Beatson, who purchased for this regiment, states:—
I have not visited Pindi Fair since 1883 and the improvement in the mares and young stock all round is
astonishing. The bad colors, bog spavins and goose rumps, have almost disappeared. I offer my hearty congratula-
tions to the hardworking Department which has wrought so marvellous a change by their labours. I am very
pleased with the stock the Hackney produces.
376. This regiment also purchased 10 mules at an average of Rs. 128.
Major Beatson describes them as good and cheap.
377. The 13th Bengal Lancers purchased 7 remounts and 4 mules, but
Colonel Deane offers no remarks on the class of remount obtained.
378. The Guides Cavalry purchased 10 of which 6 may be said to have been
remounts, the reminder being young stock for their run. Captain Davies, who
purchased for this regiment, remarks:—
More remounts, i. e. 4 years and upwards, to be obtained than at Shahpur or Gujrat, but prices asked were
high. Not so much blood as at either of the above Fairs.
379. The 9th Bengal Lancers purchased 18, but Captain Brasier Creagh, who
purchased for this regiment, offers no remarks on the class of remount obtained.
380. The Police Department bought one remount.
381. The above, when analysed, is as follows:—
Army Remount Department
19th Bengal Lancers
13th Bengal Lancers
Guides Cavalry
9th Bengal Lancers
Police ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Young stock.
13
19
...
4
...
...
36
Remounts.
...
...
7 6
18
1
32
The number purchased last year was one head of young stock by Remount
Department, and 12 remounts by Native Cavalry.
382. One of the greatest features of this Show was the mules which com-
peted for prizes. No less than 107 mules fit for Ordnance, between the ages of 3
and 6 competed, whilst 40 competed in the Transport mule class of the same ages.
At least 40 excellent Ordnance and 30 first class Baggage mules could have been
obtained.
383. The Committee describe these classes as excellent, which with few
exceptions were well grown with plenty of bone. They add:—
The Committee regret that no Government purchasing Officer was in attendance. As far as is known to the
Committee, the only mules purchased, except by dealers, were a few by the 11th Bengal Lancers, and it must be a
great discouragement to breeders to find no demand for their animals after bringing them in from the district.
384. I fully agree with the above, we hear of the difficulties in obtaining
good Ordnance mules, and still here we had large numbers and no one to buy.
385. Remarking on the quality of the mules present, and the small number
bought, the Deputy Commissioner states:—
The number of mules sold compares unfavorably with the number sold last year. This falling off was due to no
Government purchasing Officer being in attendance. A fact much to be regretted in the interest of mule-breeding in
the district as the animals exhibited were exceedingly good.
Shahpur Horse
Show.
386. Shahpur had maintained its position at this Show. This I am
delighted to be able to report, as last year the Show was not as good as usual.
The number of animals present was 1,508 showing an increase of 369 over last year,
but the quality of the competitors in their various classes was the feature which
was so satisfactory. The young stock showed a marked improvement in breeding
and development, and with few exceptions, all the prizes were taken by stock got
by Thoroughbreds and Arabs. This is due to the fact that although this district
was freely supplied with Norfolk Trotters for some years, still the breeders, who