51
the District authorities, a grant of R300 was given at the Bysakhi Fair, a
similar amount being contributed by the Municipality; this will be alluded
to hereafter. At this, fair, R45 was distributed to the owners of stock by
District Board stallions.
264. To show the strides made by this fair, it will be necessary to com-
pare the number of remounts purchased:—
Native Cavalry . . .
Imperial Service Troops . .
Remount Department
.
.
Ditto
Ordnance mules
Native Cavalry Baggage mules .
Imperial Service Troops do.
.
1895-96.
. 62
. 26
. 44
. 20
. 80
. 36
1896-97.
121
57
15
...
65
40
265. From the above it will be seen that Native Cavalry and Imperial
Service Cavalry obtained 178 against 88 remounts last year. The number of
mules obtained by the same Corps, however, shows a falling off of 11. I have
not compared the number bought by the Remount Department, as they do not
appear to have been in want of young stock this year, and the reason which
led to their not purchasing Ordnance mules is not understood. On this point
the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states: —
"There were some fine mules in the fair which corresponded in age and measurements to those laid down
for Ordnance purposes, but none of them were purchased by the Army Remount Department. I particularly
noticed this circumstance, as my attention has lately been drawn to Government of India, Revenue and Agri-
cultural Department, Resolution No. 8—69-1, dated 11th May 1896, on the Annual Administration Report of
the Civil Veterinary Department for the official year 1894-95. These mules were as good as could have been
bred or obtained elsewhere for the purposes for which Ordnance mules are required."
Again, in a report from the Deputy Commissioner, it is stated:—
"The mules were a very fine sort, but owners were disappointed. They understood that large purchases
would be made by Government, and consequently brought a very superior selection to the fair."
266. I can fully endorse all that is stated by this officer. I was present
at this fair, and can safely say that it would have been impossible to wish for
better Ordnance mules, and, as in the Government of India Resolution above
quoted, my attention was specially drawn to the demand for mules of this des-
cription, I deemed it my duty to draw the attention of the Government of
India to the fact that a large number could have been purchased at this fair.
267. It is interesting to note the remarks made by the various officers
attending this fair:—
Major Williamson, 5th Punjab Cavalry, considers the horses available much the same
as usual.
Captain Alexander, 7th Bengal Cavalry, considers the horses suitable, good, and up to
the average of former years.
Colonel Cunningham, 1st Punjab Cavalry, considers the horses too young, but in
other respects thinks that it was the best batch of remounts the 1st Punjab
Cavalry have ever got from Amritsar.
Colonel Wood, 10th Bengal Lancers, considered the horses to be very inferior; prices
high; and states that he was unable to purchase any remounts.
Captain Angelo, Imperial Service Troops, considers the remounts purchased on the
whole, to be a very good and serviceable lot. He adds: -
"The fair was not quite so good as the last for horses ; very few 4-year olds were procurable. Prices
were, however, fairly moderate. Great improvement in the stamp of horses is apparent, the majority being of
a good colour with good bone."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, states:—
"The stamp of horses obtainable, as compared with previous years, was decidedly better as regards colour,
shape, size, and bone."
268. With this I fully agree, having carefully inspected most of those
bought at this fair, and as the average of the 121 purchased by Native Cav-
alry was R258, and that of the 57 bought by Imperial Service Troops was
R249-8-0, I do not consider the prices excessive.
Amritsar (Bysa-
khi Fair.)
269. This fair was held from 7th to 14th April 1897, and proved an undoubted
success from the Remount officer's point of view. The large collection of
horses must be considered under two headings:—(a) Horse Fair, (b) Horse
Show. The former being of the greatest importance, must be considered first.