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Henzada, as residents of the riverside villages cannot be expected to bring their
animals long journeys to the railway line. I certainly think this might be
tried next year. The number of cattle entered was not large, but the animals
exhibited were fine beasts, so much so, that the judges had some difficulty in
selecting animals for prizes. A few buffaloes were shown, all excellent
animals. A number of ponies, including several half-breds, were brought for
exhibition. Maung Ne Dun's Burman pony won the first prize for Burman
ponies, and Mr. Merwanjee's animal for half-breds.
Tharrawaddy.—Advantage was taken on the Maha-Myahmuni Pagoda
festival to hold the show at Letpadan on the full moon of Tabaung (17th
March). This was the second show held at Letpadan, which is a convenient
station, as, being a junction, it suits exhibitors and visitors from the Hantha-
waddy and Tharrawaddy districts. The show was open to the Prome and
Tharrawaddy districts, and the Insein sub-division of the Hanthawaddy district.
The Deputy Commissioner suggests that in future the show be held in alternate
years at Insein and Prome. I am of opinion that Letpadan or Thonze is the
best place to hold these shows. In 1892 a show was held at Thamaing near
Insein on the day of the Kyaukwine Pagoda festival; the attendance of course
was large, but only a few cattle and one pony were brought for exhibition.
The Deputy Commissioner also remarks that from the experience of the last
two shows it is clear that the people, at least in this district, will not at present
incur the expense and trouble of bringing in exhibits to the show, except from
circles in the immediate vicinity of the place where the show is held. This
especially is the case with agricultural stock—the principal class of exhibits
which it is the object of these shows to foster. In this matter my experience
leads me to the same conclusion. There were no exhibitors from the Prome
district. This is attributed to the following causes :—
(1) Counter-attraction of the Shwe Nattaung Pagoda festival at
Shwedaung.
(2) The hot weather prevailing at the time of the show.
(3) The expense incurred in bringing exhibits to the show.
The Railway Department was asked to grant concessions to visitors attend-
ing the show, and to exhibitors. No concession was granted to the former,
while the concession granted to exhibitors was only communicated to the Com-
mittee when the show was virtually over, " the subject having been lost sight
of in the Traffic Manager's office. "
The Deputy Commissioner was of opinion that had the concessions asked
for been granted in time, there would have been a large increase in the various
classes of exhibits at the show. The attendance at the show was about the
same as last year. The show of cattle was distinctly good ; thirty-four pairs
of plough oxen and 20 pairs of trotting bullocks were exhibited. The former
were particularly fine animals, and made the awarding of the first prize a
little difficult. Ten bulls were entered, all showing a strain of Indian blood.
The ponies entered, though numerically in excess of the previous year, were
indifferent and weedy animals.
Produce.—The exhibits in this class were good.