27
these will be 16 years of age on 1st January next; a large number of casual-
ties may therefore be expected. During 1897-98, 30 are expected to be
received by importation and 27 by purchase in India; taking into considera-
tion the casualties which must arise, I fear the sanctioned increase will not
be in any way reached this year.
Number of
mules purchased
by Government.
158. Table X (page xxxix ) will show the number of mules pur-
chased during the year. The Remount Department bought 397 against 312,
being an increase of 85 over the number bought last year. The Commissariat
Department purchased 1,532 against 1,434, whilst 202 were obtained for
Native Cavalry and Imperial Service Troops Transport. In all, 2,131 were
bought during the year against 1,746 last year. I am confirmed in my
opinion that, given good Jacks, we can produce in this country all the mules
required, either for Ordnance or Transport purposes.
Supply of Ord-
nance Mules.
159. The Government of India in their Resolution No. 8—69-1, dated 11th
May 1896, drew my attention to the fact that the supply of mules is still
inadequate, particularly of those required for Ordnance purposes, and suggested
that improvement might perhaps be effected by a system of branding pony
mares for the special production of Artillery mules.
160. This matter was referred to the three Superintendents of this
Department who are interested in mule-breeding, and through them, to the
Directors, Land Records and Agriculture. The general opinion expressed is
that the branding of mares for the special production of Ordnance mules would
not be advisable for the following reasons:—
(i) Mares which look the smallest and worst, often have the best mule
foal at foot,
(ii) The condition of priority of claim for the services of the best donkey
stallions would be difficult to apply.
(iii) Zemindars would dislike a special brand for mule-breeding.
I agree with the opinions expressed. The first point in connection with
this subject is the supply of a class of donkey stallion likely to get Ordnance
mules, but I have already dealt fully with this subject, and have shown that the
donkeys sent to us this year from the Continent were better than those formerly
supplied. The best Catalans and a certain number of selected Italians have been
allotted for the best mule breeding districts of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Gujrat,
and I think that owners seeing these donkeys will be readily induced to put
their better mares to them.
161. One point, however, remains, and it is one which I have referred to
the Government of India, that is, is Government willing to purchase the mules
produced, at from two-half to three years of age as few owners will keep them
over that time. If this policy be adopted, and if our policy in this direction be
continuous, I feel convinced that all requirements for Mountain Artillery will
be available in this country, and I consider I am right in saying that for work-
ing powers, there is no better mule for Ordnance than that bred in the Punjab.
Improvement
of donkey stock
generally, as a
means of adding
to "Transport."
162. In paragraph 37 of the Administration Report of this Department
for 1894-95, I pointed out that attention to donkey breeding would not only
prove advantageous to this Department but would also add to the Transport
available during war time. Whilst in Rawalpindi, I discussed the subject with
Mr. Thorburn who was appointed President of the Transport Committee about
to assemble at that station; I there pointed out to him that an average of 1,000
donkey mares were covered annually by Jacks belonging to this Deparment, but
that although this would lead to the gradual improvement of donkeys in selected
tracts, still that our main object in doing this was to obtain a certain number
of good indigenous donkey stallions annually; beyond this we cannot go, as our
sanctioned strength will not allow of more being done in this direction,
163. Mr. Thorburn asked me to furnish the Committee with the following
information:—
(1) The districts and localities in which the best transport donkeys are
found.
(2) What has been done towards improving the breed.
(3) What should, in your opinion, be done towards improving it.
E 2