70
do not recognize this as a strong claim, as old established fairs in other parts of
India are always changing their dates to accommodate younger ones. I have
referred the matter to the Government of Bombay, and I trust that an amica-
ble arrangement will be arrived at, whereby neither shows will suffer.
BOMBAY PRESIDENCY.
Ahmednagar
Horse Show.
423. Commenced on 12th November 1896, and was not as successful as
that held during the previous years. On this point, the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, states:—
"The total number of animals exhibited amounted to 546 against 926 last year. Owing to the great scarcity
which prevailed, it was proposed at one time to abandon the show, but further consideration deemed this
inadvisable. As expected, the numbers were considerably less than former years, but the quality was fully main-
tained ; and considering the adverse conditions under which it was held, it was a success, as the animals were
shown in excellent condition, and only breeders from a long distance did not attend."
424. The brood mares, yearlings, and two-year old fillies are reported as
good; the remounts are said to have shown a slight improvement on former
years; but on the subject of mules, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, states:—
"I am still further convinced that mule-breeding in the Deccan is an absolute waste of Government
money, and I have removed almost all the donkey stallions to where their services are fully utilised. The
Deccan ryot is strictly opposed to getting his mare covered by a donkey stallion, and, in spite of the efforts of
this Department, no material progress has been made."
425. On the subject of remounts, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, states:—
"The Remount Agent purchased seven head of stock for the depôt, which, considering the size of the show,
is satisfactory. The Poona Horse purchased four head of stock, and eleven ponies for transport purposes, and
thirteen head of stock were purchased by private individuals, making a satisfactory total of 35 animals bought
and sold."
426. With the. latter remark I regret to say I cannot agree. Not a single
remount is obtainable at the only show held in the Deccan, and only 11 head
of young stock were purchased. Considering that 40 horse and pony stallions
were employed in the Deccan during the year under review, the result shows a
poor return for the expenditure incurred.
SIND HORSE SHOWS.
Jacobabad
Horse Show.
427. This show was held at Jacobabad this year, and from the results
obtained, there can be no doubt that this is the centre at which it should be
held annually. On this point, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, states :—
" It is to be hoped that the financial difficulty which exists for making the show permanent at Jacobabad
may be arranged by the local officers, and the present alternate system (one year at Shikarpur, the next at
Jacobabad) abolished."
428. The number of animals exhibited amounted to 1,395 (the largest on
record) against 956 at Shikarpur last year. And although the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, reports the young stock was not as good as in
former years, and as being due to a certain extent to the fact of the Sibi Show
having been held shortly before the Sind Show, still, I think, the fact that this
was the largest show ever held at Jacobabad speaks for itself, and proves that
the Sibi Show being held before that held in Sind would not be prejudicial to
the latter's interests.
429. Ninety-eight remounts were purchased. Mule-breeding still con-
tinues to progress in Sind, and referring to the mules exhibited at Jacobabad,
the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"Mares for mule-breeding.—A very large and excellent class compared with former years, a large number
of them capable of breeding good mules.
"Mules.—Ninety-one were exhibited, out of which 25 were bought for Government purposes. Some of the
best, I regret to say, were bought by Punjabi dealers, and it is extremely doubtful if they will eventually find
their way into Government service."
430. Only three head of young stock was purchased by the Remount Agent,
who is said to have been unable to obtain more on account of the high prices
asked by the breeders.
Moro Horse
Show.
431. This show commenced on 1st February 1897. The number of
animals which were exhibited was 878 against 782 last year.