50
myself that all the complaints made by the officers attending this fair, were
well founded, and I trust that an improvement will be made during the next
fair.
253. The attendance of officers was very small, and shows a great falling
off when compared with last year. The attendance, as far as horse stock,
also shows a falling off of 1,425. This may be accounted for by the fact that
notices were issued to the effect that the fair would not be held, and subse-
quently when it was decided to hold it, I am informed that the former notices
were not removed.
254. On the subject of attendance of officers, the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, states:—
"The falling off in the attendance of British purchasing officers was probably due to the bad accommoda-
tion and difficulty in getting ordinary supplies at the fair. Of the six officers that attended, last year, only
one came this year, and his remarks regarding the management are not flattering, or likely to induce pur-
chasing officers to come next year. I alluded to Captain Knight of the 4th Bengal Cavalry, and the remarks
he wrote on the Remount Roll."
255. Only 5 remounts were purchased against 71 last year.
256. I earnestly trust that the recommendations made by this Department
will receive the attention at the hands of the District authorities, which they
deserve. This fair, if properly developed, would serve a most useful purpose,
and I still entertain hopes that it will be one of our large horse markets in
India.
Meerut (Nauch-
andi)
Horse
Show.
257. This popular gathering in a measure suffered from the prevailing
scarcity, and consequently fewer horses were brought in. The falling off in
actual numbers attending was 1,577 against 2,062 last year, whilst 91 less
competed for prizes. Still, although there was a smaller number of animals
present, the quality of the stock is reported to have been excellent, and the
number of remounts purchased shows an increase on last year.
258. The branded mares, of which 129 competed, was a grand class, but
was surpassed by the branded fillies under 3 years of age, which showed very
great quality.
259. The following will show the number of remounts and young stock
purchased during the past two years at this show:—
Native Cavalry and Imperial Service Troops
Police
......
Kemount Department
.
.
.
.
TOTAL .
1895-96.
. 76
. 12
. 14
. 102
1896-97.
90
17
3
110
This is very satisfactory. The falling off in the number purchased by the
Remount Department must be ascribed to the fact that they were not required;
the young stock was there and could have been bought.
260. The thanks of this Department are due to Mr. Wyer, the Collector of
the district, for the great interest and assistance he always affords, not only
with reference to this show, but also to that held at Garhmuktesar.
PUNJAB.
Amritsar
(Dewali) Fair.
261. This fair, held from 31st October to 9th November 1896, together
with the Bysakhi Fair, are now the recognized horse markets of Upper India;
not only are larger numbers yearly being brought for sale, but horses of better
quality are to be found there.
262. The total number of animals present was 6,397 as compared with
5,694 last year. On this point, Captain Alexander, in his roll of remounts
purchased, says that there is still a large proportion of rubbish, undersized,
ill-fed, etc. This, there must always be in such a large fair, but still it is
surprising what a large number of animals of this class change hands.
263. Hitherto, prizes have been offered for brood mares and stock at this
fair, but no success has met our efforts in this direction. It was, therefore, con-
sidered advisable to discontinue the grant; on the representation, however, of