7
" It is to be regretted that no rolls of the remounts purchased have been received
in this office from the district authorities. The Secretary, Municipal Committee,
Amritsar, reports that the remount purchasing officers had left the fair before the lists
could reach. In future officers attending the fair will be requested by advertisement
to intimate to me particulars of their purchases before they leave Amritsar.
" The statement showing the competition, the names of the sires of prize winners, and
tabulated form are herewith enclosed. Out of Rs. 683 shown as prizes awarded, Rs.
448 were paid by this Department and the balance by the Local Board.
" As a rule the classes did not fill well, and many of the animals which competed were
in low condition. The class for mules of any age was decidedly the best. It was surprising
that nearly all were two years old.
" A few young branded mares were purchased by officers for remount purposes. This
is greatly to be regretted. It is, I believe, also strictly against regulations—vide No. 1174-
D. S., dated 24th July 1879, from Government of India, Military Department.
"I was only able to brand 14 mares out of a total of 65 brought up, many being too
small, and a few unsound in their hocks. I saw very few old branded mares at the show.
From what I could gather from zemindars present, many people were prevented from
attending the show owing to sickness, as fever was very prevalent in the district at
the time. As there is abundance of grass and forage this year in the district, people did
not care to bring their young stock from any distance to the show. This would account
for the classes filling badly." Mr. Drage notes the very great assistance Veterinary-
Lieutenant Blenkinsop gave him during the whole show ; in the general remarks by
the Deputy Commissioner on the fair, it is noted : " Several instances occurred of the pur-
chase by cavalry officers of branded mares as remounts.
This is understood to be
directly contrary to Government orders. Veterinary-Lieutenant Blenkinsop is in a
position to furnish particulars.
" Many of the young animals purchased as remounts were removed from the fair
before the judging; thus breeders were deprived of the chance of obtaining prizes "
The subjects alluded to have been brought to the notice of the authorities, and it is
to be hoped that remount agents will abstain from purchasing branded mares or fillies,
and that they will allow remounts purchased by them to compete for prizes under the head
" Remounts, " so that the breeders and dealers from whom they have been bought may have
the chance of securing the prizes granted by the Government of India.
The fair was not so good as usual, and it is believed that the falling off was due
to fever generally prevailing throughout the province during September and October.
Bannu Horse Fair.
This fair was held on the 17th and 18th of March 1893.
The Deputy Commissioner (A. H. Anderson, Esq., C. S.), in his full and interesting
report on this the second fair held at Bannu, writes as follows :—
" The fair was held on the ground used for this purpose last year, and in which week-
ly Friday fairs are held; and an additional plot of land was lent by the Superintendent
of the local jail for the tent of the Judging Committee and for judging. Places were
provided for 1,000 animals, but the number brought in exceeded this estimate, and
several horses and mares were kept in places other than the show ground. It will be
necessary next year to arrange for an extension of the ground, and steps will be. taken in
this direction before the next fair is held.
"Financial results.—The fair still being in its infancy, and it being desirable to give
it every encouragement, no fees of any kind were realized. The funds required for prizes
and other contingent charges were contributed solely by Government, the District Boards,
and the Municipal Committee of Edwardesabad. The Punjab Government have sanctioned
the grant of Rs. 500 per annum for two years in aid of the horse show, and promised
to reconsider the question of continuing the grant after the expiration of that period. A
grant of Rs. 250 has also been sanctioned by the Government of India; and these, added
to the contribution of Rs. 500 each from the District Board and Edwardesabad Munici-
pality, made a total sum of Rs.1,750 available for expenses.
" Tent-pegging, horse races, and other sports that were held simultaneously with the
horse show proved a great attraction, and the attendance was very great. Tent-peg-
ging is a most favourite sport among the Khans of the district, and there was very keen
competition for prizes in this sport. It is difficult to estimate the number of people that
came in from the surrounding places. People in large numbers came every day from the
adjoining villages, returning to their homes in the evening.
" The number of those who came from the outlying tahsils may be safely said to be
nearly 2,000. The principal supporters of the show were Malik Yar Mahomed Khan
Rais of Kalabagh, who brought in about 100 animals, and the Khans of Isakhel.