9
recognised by Government, I consider it far better, from a horse-breeding point of view,
than many of the older shows.
" In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Deputy Commis-
sioner, Mr. Anderson, for the great interest he is taking in horse-breeding; also Mr.
Bridges, Assistant Commissioner, who had the arranging and management of the whole
show. In fact the great success achieved, I consider, was due to the last mentioned
officer."
It is very gratifying to find that this show promises to become very important in re-
gard to the development of horse-breeding and the affording of a market to the owners of
horse stock.
The sum of Rs. 400 has been sanctioned by the Government of India for the next show
to be held from 26th to 28th February 1894.
Delhi Horse Show.
This show was opened on the 7th and terminated on the 11th February 1893.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, notes: " Five hundred and forty-
one (541) head of stock were present against 534 last year. Of these 84 were the pro-
perty of zemindars, the balance belonging to dealers. Last year 96 were of the former
class.
"No remounts were purchased for Government. Seven were purchased for the 5th
Bengal Cavalry, which I considered quite up to the average.
"As was the case last year, many of the zemindar stock was from Meerut, Gurgaon,
Bulandshahr, &c.
"I do not think this show is sufficiently promising to warrant any further grant of
money from Government. The district is a bad one for breeding, and at present the
people do not take much interest in horses."
The Deputy Commissioner, R. Clarke, Esq., C. S., reports : " The whole of the arrange-
ments in connection with the fair were most satisfactory, more so than on previous
occasions, and Sheikh Nujmuddin, Tehsildar of Delhi, is deserving of the greatest credit
for the arrangements made. He was ably assisted by Rai Bahadur Rughnath Singh."
The Municipal Committee contributed Rs. 1,400 for the expense of the fair. The
District Board sanctioned Rs. 1,500, and the Imperial Government granted Rs. 225. The
total thus amounted to Rs. 3,125. The money allotted as prizes for horse stock was
Rs. 1,300.
The Deputy Commissioner in his report states: "Five hundred and forty-one horses
attended the fair against 534 in the previous year, an increase of 7. These figures
show an advance on those of the years 1888-89 and 1889-90. Also of the 541 animals
exhibited, 84 belonged to agriculturists, 180 to native horse dealers, and 277 to horse
dealers of foreign countries.
"One hundred horses were sold for Rs. 20,199 as against 85 horses sold for Rs. 16,042
in the previous year—an increase of 15 in the number of horses sold, and of Rs. 4,157 in the
prices paid. The highest price paid was Rs. 400 for a horse purchased by Dr. Dennys,
Civil Surgeon. The lowest price paid was Rs. 28 for a pony mare. The average price
was Rs. 200 as against 189 in the previous year. These figures show an improvement
not only on those of the year 1891-92, but of all the past years since the establishment of the
show in 1888-89, with the exception of the year 1890-91, in which the sales were excep-
tionally large in consequence of large number of horses having been purchased by the
Municipal Committee of Delhi for the conservancy tramway as well as by the Police De-
partment;" and adds: "The decline of the previous year's show had led people to en-
tertain doubts as to the success of the show of 1892-93, but the increase in the numbers
of horses entered as well as in the sales and prizes, and the encouragement given to horse
breeders of the agricultural classes at the show under report, have produced a favourable
impression, and convinced the people that the fair under the patronage of Government
will make steady progress and have a beneficial effect on the horse-breeding industry.''
It is, I believe, the desire of the local authorities to persevere in holding this horse
show with the hope that horse-breeding and the horse trade may develop in the district.
Dera Ghazi Khan
Horse Show.
This horse fair was held from the 3rd to the 8th of March 1893.
Veterinary-Lieutenant Drage, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, reports:
" The show in every respect was a very grand success, all the classes filling well, espe-
cially the class for branded mares and branded fillies
" During the five days I attended the show, I was able to brand 88 very useful mares,
all showing a lot of quality, and chiefly by Government stallions.