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"Of the Rs. 1,700 sanctioned for Imperial prizes, Rs. 1,685 were distributed in awards
to the several classes of stock; also the following breeders obtained prizes for runs in
which they allow their young stock full liberty:—
Malik Jahan Khan of Khunda
Amir Hyder Shah of Sanjani
Karm Khan of Dharek
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Rs.
50
25
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"Sales effected were numerous. Altogether 1,853 animals changed hands compared
with 1,850 sold at last year's fair. The total amount realized was Rs. 1,47,480 as against
Rs. 1,36,425 last year, so that the Secretary notes: "Though fewer animals were brought
to the fair compared with last year's attendance, there has been no falling off in the
number sold, while the receipts were better by over Rs. 11,000. This result was chiefly due
to the improvement in mule sales, in which Rs. 80,068 changed hands as compared
with Rs. 70,772 last year.
"Of the 611 horses, mares, and geldings brought to the fair, 555 found purchasers."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department (F. B. Drage, Esq.), reports:
"This being the first Rawalpindi Horse Fair I have seen, I am unable to compare it with
previous fairs, but from all I heard it was a decided improvement on last year's fair.
"A Military Veterinary-Surgeon (Veterinary Captain Cooper) acted on the Judging
Committee in place of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department. This arrange-
ment is, I consider, an excellent one, as it allows me sufficient time to brand mares; also
to see that the horses are coming into the judging ring in their proper class.
"The thanks of this Department are due to Veterinary-Captain Cooper for the hard
work he did on the Judging Committee.
"I was able to brand 41 mares during the fair days. This I consider fairly satisfac-
tory, when it is remembered that I travelled in this district on last October and November,
during which time I branded 76 mares.
"In my inspection report on the horse-breeding of this district submitted to you
in December last, I strongly recommended that money be given as prizes for the best
horse runs in the district. I am glad to say Rs. 100 was sanctioned; but this, I trust,
will be increased another year to Rs. 300."
In concluding his report, the Secretary notes as follows: "A separate enclosure
will be provided next year for the use and convenience of officers purchasing remounts,
as recommended by the Remount Agents this year.
"Moulvi Ahmed Shafi, Tahsildar, gave me ready and valuable assistance in all
matters connected with the fair, and was ably seconded by his Naib Tahsildar."
Shahpur
Horse Show.
This show was held on the 21st and 22nd of March 1893.
The Deputy Commissioner (J. Wilson Esq., C.S.), in forwarding the report on the show
drawn up by Mr. Lewis, Assistant Commissioner, notes: "The show was unusually well
attended, and, owing to the present abundance of fodder, the animals were mostly in
good condition. Remount Officers seemed generally pleased with the quality of horses
they purchased, though not so much pleased with the prices, as were the breeders. The
General Superintendent and other officers attending the show expressed themselves as
struck with the good quality of many of the brood mares and young stock, and altogether
the show was a most successful one, and well maintained the reputation of the Shahpur
District as one of the best breeding grounds in the north of India."
Mr. Lewis, the Assistant Commissioner, states: "The number of animals present at the
fair this year was 1,544 as compared with 1,349—a satisfactory increase, no doubt largely
due to the favorable season. The number would have been larger still but for the
prevalence of "strangles" in the district. Moreover, buyers from Native Cavalry regi-
ments and also Native dealers took away a good many animals previous to the fair.
"This year, for the first time, the District Board gave fodder (I marla of green wheat
free to all animals competing), and this doubtless helped to swell the number of animals
brought to the fair.
"Prizes were offered by the District Board as well as by the Kalra Estate in addi-
tion to the Government prizes."
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department (F. B. Drage, Esq.), in his report on
the show, records: "From the statement showing the names of sires of prize winners,
&c., herewith enclosed, it will be seen that every class filled well. All the animals were
well-fed and cared for, and almost all were by Government stallions. Class I A and B
and class II were possibly the best; in fact, the animals in these classes were quite the
best I have yet seen in India.