103
571. I am always pleased when Government Officials with whom rest the
decision, or who are in a position to advise Government on the different classes
of stallion required, will make an inspection of the new animals received, as I
feel that it enables them to form correct opinions of the work done by its
purchasing Officers, including Sir J. Watson, Mr. Sutherland, Messrs. Krcrouse
and Madden, and myself.
572. From Ghaziabad I visited Murree, in order to obtain an interview,
with the Deputy Adjutant-General, Punjab Army, on the subject of the
Special Judging Committee, which is annually named to attend the various
Horse Shows and Fairs held in that Province.
573. 1 then attended the examinations which were being held at the
Lahore Veterinary College, and afterwards proceeded to Amritsar, at which
place the Horse Fair was being held.
574. I then visited the Depôt at Babugarh when the annual allotment of
new horses to the various Provinces, was made. I carefully considered the serious
question of grain for the year, when I found that about 2,300 maunds would be
required in addition to the stock in hand. As, however, I found that prices were
even higher than I anticipated, owing to famine, viz:—
Gram ...
Barley ...
Oats ...
Rs.
„
„
4
3
3
6
3
12
2 per maund
8
„
0 „
I gave orders that a supply for only 6 months was to be obtained as I trusted that
prices would fall in the event of the monsoon being favorable. I also gave
orders that the daily issue of barley and oats was to be increased in order to save
expense. On 16th April, I joined Head Quarters.
575. In July, I proceeded to Rawalpindi, and inspected the small temporary
Depôt of the North Punjab, when I was pleased to note the good condition in
which the Thoroughbreds had returned from the districts. I then proceeded to
Abbottabad to interview the District Authorities on the subject of the proposed
new stallion Depôt at that station.
576. In August, I made my usual inspection of the Depôt at Babugarh,
when I again considered the question of a further supply of grain, prices of which
had fallen slightly. I found that the new horses and donkeys had suffered
greatly from the excessive heat, and that they had not developed as they should
This makes me all the more anxious to obtain a Depôt in the Punjab.
577. On 29th August, I proceeded to Umballa to inspect the 4 Veterinary
Assistants selected for service in Uganda, and to despatch them to Bombay.
578. In September, I again proceeded to Abbottabad to attend a Committee
presided over by the Officer Commanding that station, in order to select a site for
the proposed new Depôt; and to explain to the Executive Engineer the require-
ments in order that plans might be prepared for submission to the Government
of India.
579. I left Simla on 6th October 1897, and continued steadily on tour until
29th April 1898, when I returned to Head Quarters.
580. In October, I proceeded to Bahawalpore, and inspected 11 stallions
employed; when I found that the stallion power was far in excess of requirements
and 8 being useless, sanction was obtained to their being got rid of. Sanction
was also given to the purchase of a Thoroughbred during the current year and
of an Arab next year. I was further asked by the State to make an inspection
of the mares in the stud later in the year, and to select such as should be reserved
for horse and mule-breeding, and to get rid of such as are useless.
581. I then proceeded, with the sanction of the Government of India to
Kashmir, leaving Rawalpindi on 12th October and returning on 28th. I carefully
inspected the dak line, and was able to make certain suggestions, both to the
proprietor and to the Resident of Kashmir, for its more efficient working.
582. I obtained an interview with Mr. Anderson, the representative of
Major-Greneral A. D. Anderson, to whom two donkeys have been lent with a view
of introducing mule-breeding. This industry is not flourishing, but little or
nothing can be done in the matter until the latter's return from England