5
27. This gave but a small field for selection, still I was able to buy horses
whose average measurements were as follows:—
Age.
Yrs.
5⅓
Height.
H. I.
14-3¾
Girth.
Inches.
67½
Shank.
Inches.
7⅜
and I am pleased to state that at the allotment the various Superintendents ex
pressed an opinion that they were the best that had been obtained for some
years.
28. I have before alluded to the average price allowed to be paid by Govern
ment for this class of stallion; this I strongly represented last year, but as yet no
increase has been made. I find that it is impossible to induce the dealers to bring
over the class of horse I require for Rs. 2,000. A Grey colt, barely 3 years
of age, was in the market at Rs. 3,000 and a remarkably fine upstanding
high-caste Chestnut at Rs. 4,000. I felt that I could not let either escape
me, and after weeks of haggling I purchased the two at Rs. 2,200 and Rs. 2,500,
respectively, both over the average price sanctioned by Government.
The latter I would not have obtained had it not been for the good services of
Sirdar Oomar Jumal Vuyani, who was able to exercise influence over the owner,
still, what must materially be the result of this reduction in price; it must natu
rally lead to a lower stamp of horse being imported, for as the owner of the
Chestnut remarked when the bargain was concluded, " It will pay me better to
import ponies." Under the circumstances, I shall again represent to the Government
of India that we should be supplied with Arabs, and I feel that it will not be
necessary for me to point out how essential it is that we should be in a position to
command the Bombay market, and not to allow any of the best to be bought over
our heads; to do this, it will be my duty to recommend that the average price be
raised to Rs. 2,500.
As usual, had it not been for the big dealer, Ali Bin Talib, I would have
been unable to make up my batch.
29. The year was naturally a bad one for District Board ponies and gallo
ways; they were very scarce and very dear, still, I was able to purchase 6, but
the average price paid was higher than usual; however, the standard, especially
as regards quality, was better, and as District Board ponies are doing such good
work in the districts, it is as well to put out the very best of ponies, for the
difference of Rs. 100 on the initial cost of a pony, that, on an average will do 9
year's work, should not be considered.
Hackney
stallions.
30. It will have been noticed that no Hackney stallions were imported
during the year under review. I would gladly have avoided entering into the
controversy of the merits or demerits of this class of horse still I feel that this is
impossible, for from all the reports received from Superintendents, Judging
Committees, Deputy Commissioners and others, to which I shall allude hereafter,
I find that the use of this class of horse in India is being universally con
demned.
31. I feel all the more compelled to allude to the Hackney vs. the Tho
roughbred, owing to the fact that during the past year a Commission sat for
the purpose of enquiring into the horse-breeding industry in Ireland, and this
really was the question under discussion. The conditions which exist in some
parts of Ireland, especially in the West, are so very similar to those prevailing in
India, that the report issued is of the greatest interest to us in this country.
32. It is to be regretted that the Committee did not arrive at a more unani
mous opinion, but knowing the strong views of some of its members, I am not
surprised; seven framed a report in favour of the Thoroughbred, whilst five were
in favour of the Hackney; but whilst the former were decidedly of opinion that
Hackneys should not be encouraged at public expense, the latter contented them
selves by recommending that the requirements of each class of breeder should be
recognized.
33. Some of the recommendations made by that portion of the Committee,
who may be described as the Hackney followers, are of such interest to us in this
country, which has so many points in common with horse-breeding in. Ireland,
that, at the cost of being accused of admitting controversial points into my
Administration Report, I feel I must allude to them.