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343. The Senior Member of the Judging Committee states:—
"That the breeders prefer thoroughbred English and Australians to Norfolk Trotters"
and the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab, in his letter
forwarding the report on this show by the Deputy Commissioner, says:—
"When on tour in the district, more than one of the large breeders spoke to me of the necessity of substitut-
ing a superior breed of stallions—preferably thoroughbred English for the Norfolk Trotter. The unpopularity of
these latter makes many breeders adhere to an inferior class of country- bred sires, of which there appear to be
several in the district. If the wishes of the people in this respect are met, you will probably find work for a
greater number of Government stallions in the district."
344. With this conclusive evidence before me, it would be futile to
continue the Norfolk Trotter stallion in this district, I am therefore pleased
that I have been able to meet the wishes of the people.
345. Remounts.—Seven only were purchased. This must, however, not be
accepted as an indication that breeding is not developing in this district, for,
to use the Senior Member's own words, dealers forestalled purchasing officers
by sending Agents to the villages during the winter months before the fair.
It was brought to my notice that 30 mature horses and young stock were
bought by one dealer six weeks before the fair was held.
346. The Deputy Commissioner, in his report, says:—
"I venture to hope that the grant for prizes may next year be raised to at least R1,300 (at present
it is R1,000), so as to support the District Board in the effort to promote horse-breeding in this district."
I can only say that I fully agree with the Deputy Commissioner that
R1,300 should be allotted, and I shall endeavour to do so; but, with a fixed
sum at my disposal, it will at once be recognized that when increasing the
grant to one show I am compelled to make a corresponding reduction in others,
and this is often a matter of difficulty.
347. Mules.—Twenty-four mules were purchased this year. Of these, 14
were bought by the Commissariat and Transport Department against 7 last year.
Generally speaking, the mules were much better than usual, and for the first
time since I have known this show, I saw two mules fit for ordnance purposes.
These should have been purchased, as it is by encouraging the breeders and
buying one or two in each district, that an impetus to mule-breeding will
be given.
348. For the first time also, stock by District Board stallions were awarded
prizes; fifteen competed, and of these 7 were excellent. There can be no
doubt that this is the most valuable adjunct to Imperial horse-breeding.
349. I cannot close the review on this show without conveying the thanks
of this Department to Mr. Maclagan, the Officiating Deputy Commissioner,
for the interest he displayed and for the excellent arrangements of the show
generally.
Rawalpindi
Horse Fair.
350. This Fair was held from 1st to 3rd of April 1897, and in every way
must be considered to have been an unqualified success, for not only were the
numbers that attended and those that competed for prizes greater than usual,
but there was a very marked improvement in the condition and quality of the
young stock.
351. In last year's report I was compelled to say that Rawalpindi had had
a surfeit of Norfolk Trotters, and, on this occasion, the Senior Member of the
Judging Committee, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, all complain of the preponderance of coarse blood.
Rawalpindi is now supplied with some of the best thoroughbred English and
Australian horses, and if the district is not blind to the advantages which will
accrue to it by the establishment of the Punjab Depôt there, it will, by having
the use of all thoroughbred and Arab horses whilst being trained, and whilst
undergoing acclimatization, soon eradicate the preponderance of coarse blood,
but the strenuous opposition shown to the scheme may render it advisable to
transfer the Depôt to some other district; the loss that would be sustained
by the breeders of the district would be immense, if this were done.