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253. A number of small sturdy ponies were on show. Major Pollock,
7th B.L., was purchasing for the Commissariat Department. His report has not
reached me. I saw about 15 of his purchases, as the others were sent away
before I inspected them, but I offered my services to the purchasing
officer.
254. It would be well if the purchasing officers put themselves in touch
with the Civil Veterinary Department on these occasions.
255. I detected no case of contagious disease amongst the horses or ponies
at the fair.
256. Cattle.—The cattle were distinctly below last year's lot in quality,
though somewhat more numerous on the chief day of the fair.
257. The trade was confined to native purchasers. I heard of no planters
purchasing draught cattle.
258. Elephants.—These animals were more numerous than last year. I
saw several fine tuskers.
259. The Show.—The show-yard was constructed upon the same plan as
last year, but in a better place, and the work of judging was less irksome. The
enclosure was decorated with a few flags, and a small archway (also decorated)
was at one end of the yard. The admission tickets corresponded in colour with
the placards over the standings of the various classes. The directions to exhibi-
tors were in vernacular and English.
260. I append the rules of the Show and the list of prize-winners, also
some measurement of cattle (Appendices XL, XLI, and XLII). The draught
cattle were not nearly as good as last year.
261. On the other hand, the Show seems to be making progress. The
number of would-be exhibitors was very large, and a great deal of rubbish had
to be turned out of the yard. There is reason to surmise that the show was
held a little too late to catch the best cattle, which may have been sold early in
the fair and removed.
202. The show of cows and cow buffaloes was in quantity much larger
than last year, which is very satisfactory.
263. The cows were mostly of the Patna breed.
264. The cow buffaloes were fine.
265. The amount expended in prizes was Rs. 145, as against Rs. 123
last year.
266. The management of the Show was in advance of last year. I have
hopes that we shall do better still in future, and therefore recommend that the
grant of Rs. 250 may be renewed next year.
267. The members of the Judging Committee were—
1. E. P. Chapman, Esq., c.s.
2. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Bengal.
3. J. A. M. Wilson, Esq., Chukia Factory.
4. E. G. Chardon, Esq., Jaitpur Factory.
5. A. E. Abbott, Esq.
268. I append a report of the proceedings (Appendix XLIII).
269. A number of recommendations I ventured to make in my last Report
have been adopted in a tentative way, and have not been without success. I
think the District Board may now feel sufficiently encouraged, by results, to
incur a little more expense, and to make some further improvements.
270. When considering the subject it will be well if the District Board
will bear in mind that, with the exception of the few devoted individuals who
join the Judging Committee, the Europeans who attend Sonepur are not
interested in cattle-breeding at the time. Therefore it is to the natives of the
country that the cattle show should be made attractive.
271. It might be to the interest of the people if the Show could be held
earlier, so as to give them a better chance of realizing good prices for their prize
cattle.
272. Kalimpong.—I attended this Fair in November.
273. The Show grows yearly in size, thanks to the exertions of Dr. C. F.
Ponder, Mr. Lister of Peshok, and the Committee.
274. Ponies.—The number of Bhutea ponies was larger than last year,
and the quality was above the average. The best ponies were better than any