56
309. Sixteen remounts were bought at an average of R250, but, as before
said, they were wanting in quality.
310. I trust to see a revival in horse breeding in this district, for the local
authorities take the most lively interest in the matter; they maintain eight Dis-
trict Board stallions, and on this occasion they contributed over R1,200 towards
prizes.
311. As will be shown elsewhere, the two tehsils of the Jhind State'
bordering on this district, are supplied with Arab stallions maintained by that
State. With the sanction of the Local Government, the Council of Regency
allotted the sum of R400 to be competed for by horses of the State.
312. On the subject of stallions, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, states:—
"The Imperial stallions are —
Flirting Shot . .
Milhem . . .
. . Hackney.
. . Half-bred English.
The former does not seem to be liked. I have therefore ordered him to be removed and the thorough-
bred "Anglesey" to be sent to replace him."
I trust that this change will have a beneficial effect.
Jalalabad Horse
Show.
313. This show was held, as usual, in January, and suffered materially
from the scarcity of fodder; owing to this, much stock had been sold before
the show was held, others had been sent to other districts or to the hills or the
vicinity of large rivers, where fodder was obtainable. The decrease was as
follows:—2,469 against 4,475 last year.
314. Fourteen remounts were purchased by Native Cavalry, against 20
last year. The Senior Member of the Judging Committee states:—
"The stamp of the Native Cavalry remounts purchased was up to the average of the service ; their
quality, however, was hardly up to the average."
This is fully borne out by the remarks of the Superintendent, Civil Veteri-
nary Department, which are to the following effect:—
"Generally speaking, the horses at this show had fair size, bone, and substance, but were wanting in
shape and quality; now that there are so many thoroughbred stallions employed in this district, there should
be an improvement in these respects."
315. Only one head of young stock was purchased by the Remount Agent,
and referring to this, the Senior Member of the Judging Committee remarks:—
"As the colt was purchased from a dealer, no prize was awarded."
316. In a report on the Horse Show, by the Deputy Commissioner, it is
stated:—
Major Stockley rightly remarks :—
"The reason that more young stock fit for Government remounts, or likely to grow into such, were not
available is probably that the Remount Agents buy too much from the dealers at this show, and thus do not
sufficiently encourage the breeders.
"As a case to the point, the Remount Agent bought a young animal from a well known dealer for R330
and this very animal was bought by the said dealer from a local breeder, for R267 only a day before."
317. The question of dealers is, I am aware, a very difficult one, and although
I am prepared to own that they help the breeder to place animals that are not
fit for army purposes, still, I shall always maintain that all Remount Agents
should, in the interests of horse-breeding, with which they are so deeply
interested, abstain, as much as possible, from encouraging the dealer to the
detriment of the breeder.
318. The Senior Military Member also alluded in his report to the fact
that horse-breeding would be more advanced than retarded by the rigidity of
some of the regulations being relaxed, and the rules being made more simple.
As the rules specially referred to were not specified I asked that Officer, in
future, to obtain from the breeders any alterations which they would like to
have made, so that, if possible, their wishes might be met.
319. On referring to the Deputy Commissioner's report, the rule com-
plained of is specified, and I cannot understand how such a misinterpretation
can possibly have been put upon rules which are, to my mind, quite clear.
It is that which refers to the granting of certificates to unbranded mares by
District Officers until the owner has an opportunity of having her branded by