65
BENGAL.
Kalimpong
Mule Fair.
390. For the second year the Imperial Government has sanctioned the sum
of R500 as prizes for ponies and mules brought to this fair.
391. Veterinary Captain Raymond, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Bengal, who attended this fair for the first time, reports as
follows:—
"I was glad to hear it generally stated that the fair was a larger one than in previous years. I was not
surprised to hear that such was the case in view of the amount of trouble which had evidently been spent upon
the arrangements. Nor should the less apparent but more delicate labour of organizing the show and collecting
funds be lost sight of; these duties fell to Dr. C. F. Ponder of Guild Mission House, and Mr. J. L. Lister of
Pashook. Notwithstanding all this labour, very rapid progress could not have been made without the active
support of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Greer, who has done so much for Kalimpong, and who presided over
the Committee."
392. The sum of R175 was awarded to Bhutea ponies, which are, as is
well known, powerful hardy animals with bone; this class of animal is most
useful for Hill Transport, but would be of little use in the plains of India.
393. This class, taken as a whole, was not as good as last year, still, the
following measurements taken of six of the best that were present, go to prove
that, for the purposes abovementioned, they would be calculated to carry
heavy loads over a long distance:—
1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
Age.
Years.
. 7
. 5
. 2
. 6½
. 5
. 4
Height.
13-1½
14-0
13-2
13-0
13-2
12-3
Girth.
Inches.
67
69
59
73
60
64
Shank.
Inches.
8
7
7½
6
7½
6
394. With reference to mules, Veterinary Captain Raymond reports:—
"The mules are one of the chief features of the Kalimpong Mela. Two hundred and forty were present on
3rd December, but I am informed that these figures do not represent the number of mules purchaseable, as
mules come from Thibet with wool, and are arriving all the season.
"In the Artillery Class, I saw only one mule, and though too small for Ordnance, it was a good Artillery
baggage mule, measuring 13-2½ in height, girth 62, shank 6½, and 5 years of age."
395. The measurements of the seven mules selected for prizes, were as fol-
lows:—
1 .
2 .
3 .
4 .
5 .
6 .
7 .
Age.
Years.
. 5
. 7
. 7½
. 5
. 6½
. 7½
. 7
Height.
13-0
13-0
12-3¼
12.2¾|
12-3½
12-2½
12-3¼
Girth.
Inches.
58
58½
57½
56
59
58½
56
Shank.
Inches.
6
6
6
6¼
6½
7
7
396. With reference to the award of prizes, Veterinary Captain Raymond
brings to notice the fact that they were restricted to mules that had been pur-
chased by Government, and recommends that the competition should be open
to all mules. This, I fully concur in, and I have recommended that this princi-
ple should guide the Judging Committee in future.
Veterinary Captain Raymond further states:—
"There can be no doubt that a promising source for the supply of mules has been tapped at Kalimpong, but
as a whole, the animals have not yet reached an entirely satisfactory standard. The mules used in the wool-
carrying trade are somewhat below the measurements of the prize-winners I have recorded. It is therefore
highly desirable to use every means in our power to improve the breed ; for I do not think gifts of prize-money
are alone sufficient (though of course, very useful) to make a great alteration in the average class of mule
brought in. That, I would suggest, can best be done by introducing a sufficient number of good donkey
stallions into the country, putting them to selected fairly well-fed pony mares, and granting rewards for the
progeny, if well fed. The feeding is a most important item.