25
but, as will be seen by the number above stated to have been purchased in
India, not a single Persian was available; against this may be set off the
three Arabs bought in Bombay.
143. With reference to the Persian market, I greatly fear that it is beyond
our power to start a trade in this direction. The Government of India have
been pleased to increase the price to be paid for this class of donkey until it
has now reached R400, and this price I promised to pay for all good donkeys
of a dark colour that were brought over. Mr. Omer Jamal Vuyani did his utmost
to induce importers to bring them over, and at one time was confident that
they would be tempted by the high price offered, but not a single one was
offered for sale; we cannot therefore, in any way, depend on Persia as a source
of supply.
144. Seeing the urgent necessity which exists for a supply of donkey
stallions, I have drawn the attention of the various Superintendents, but
especially that of the Superintendent, North Punjab, in whose Circle the best
class of donkey mare is found, to the necessity for extending donkey-breeding,
and I have sanctioned a few of the best Italian Jacks being used for selected
mares; this must tell in time, and already this year I have seen a marked
improvement especially in the young stock. It will be seen that I was able
to buy 18 mature country-breds, and in addition to these I have purchased ten
of an average age of 2¼ years, and shall allow them to run on the Farm at
Babugarh; these will, I trust, in time develop into really good Jacks. Two
of the young stock were in appearance Italian donkeys all over, and if only
they will grow to the requisite height they will be equal to the Cyprian donkey
now imported. The only matter for regret is that the supply is very restricted,
but I trust that the steps which I have taken will lead to an increase in the
number available each year.
145. I have dealt only with the donkeys which are purchaseable in India,
the measurements of these are as follows:—
Arabs
.
.
.
.
.
Country-breds .
.
.
.
.
Young stock—Country-breds
.
.
Average.
Age.
5 5/12
4 2/12
2 3/12
Height.
12-1 ¾
11-3
11-2 4/5
Girth.
54½
50
49¼
Shank.
6⅓
6½
6½
146. By careful comparison of the above figures, it will be seen that the
three Arabs obtained this year were better than the Persians purchased in
1895-96, exceeding these, as they did by ½ inch in height, and by 1 inch in
girth. Another very noticeable point is that the young country-bred stock
show great superiority over the older ones bought, if their respective ages are
considered. I therefore think that it will be granted that we are working on
sound lines for the improvement of the breed.
147. It now remains for me to consider the donkeys received by import
ation, and in connection with this, I might mention that whilst in England
last year, I had the pleasure of meeting General Sir O. Newmarch at the
India Office and also Mr. Sutherland who purchases for us on the Continent,
and I was then able to explain to them what class of donkey was required to
produce the class of mule required for Ordnance purposes. These interviews
have resulted in nine excellent Catalonian Jacks being sent out this year.
This is in accordance with the recommendations made in my last Annual
Administration Report, and the result must not only be that we shall obtain
a better class of Jack than the Italian, but also this measure will relieve the
Italian market which is overrun.
148. On this point, Mr. Sutherland, in a letter to the Under Secretary of
State for India, says:—
"I was through a great part of Catalonia in January last when I purchased eight Catalan Jacks for
the Congested Districts Board of Ireland. I am enabled to state with confidence that I could, without great
difficulty, purchase certain Catalan Jacks suitable for Indian purposes, and although possibly they will not have
quite the quality and courage of the Italian Jacks, they will have more size and substance,"
E