11
" Owing to the great inconvenience experienced last year from the heat, it was decid-
ed to hold the show earlier this year; but there is no doubt that the attendance in 1892
was increased owing to the fact that the Baisakhi mêla was going on at the time.
Consequently there has been a decrease this year in the number of animals attending
the show, the actual number of all animals being 205 (a decrease of 55 on last year), and
the total number of competitors 105.
" There is considerable apathy among the zemindars of this district in the matter of
bringing in their horses, and one reason given by them this year was that their animals
were being fattened on khasil, and that people did not care to bring them to the fair, and so
interrupt the process of fattening.
" I hope that this ridiculous prejudice may in time be overcome, but it may be
advisable to hold the fair a little later next year as a concession to them. There
was a marked absence of horses from Tank and Kulachi, though these tahsils certainly
contain some stock worth showing, and I think the reason was that sufficient pressure
was not put on the leading men to set the example and come in ; " and adds :
" The old practice of allowing unbranded mares to be covered by a Government
stallion, with practically no check on their soundness or fitness for breeding, has
now been put a stop to. The number of branded mares has been raised from 99 to
140 during the past year, and it is now proposed by the District Board to purchase
a district stallion, for which Rs. 800 have been allotted, for the use of mares which
are not large enough to be branded. There has been some correspondence with
the Civil Veterinary Department about these measures, and it does not seem necessary
to discuss them further in this report."
I am enquiring for a stallion of the kind
required by the District Board, and hope to select one suitable for the mares of the
district.
Two remounts only were purchased, both under three years of age, at prices of Rs. 200
and Rs. 165. The entries generally were very small and wanting in quality and substance,
but branded mares' class was good. With regard to the mare stock, Mr. Drage reports :
"During the time I attended the show, I was able to brand 16 fairly useful mares; but, as
may be seen from my report upon horse-breeding in the district submitted to you under
cover of this office No. 273-G. S., dated 22nd December 1892, zemindars still have the
greatest objection to branding. As long as this feeling prevails, I am afraid very little
good will be done for horse-breeding." It may be hoped and expected that in time
owners will cease hesitating to have their mares branded. In the Dera Ghazi Khan Dis-
trict at first objection was raised; but when owners found the advantage of having their
good mares branded, so as to become eligible for Government sires, they were very glad to
accept of the brand, and are now clamorous to have their mares branded for Government
sires.
Mr. Drage, in concluding his report on the show, states: " I would like to remark the
great interest Mr. H. W. Gee, District Judge, takes in horse-breeding. This officer
throughout the whole show worked indefatigably, and was of the greatest possible assist-
ance to me in getting zemindars to allow me to brand their mares."
Mr. E. B Francis notes: " Horse-breeding in Dera Ismail Khan is in an early stage,
and requires fostering. I beg to support the recommendations of the local officers and
of the Civil Veterinary Superintendent for the continuance of the Government grant of
Rs. 250 for prizes." The sum of Rs. 250 has been granted by the Imperial Government
for prizes at the next show.
Gujrat
Horse
Show.
This horse show came off on the 26th and 27th of March 1893.
The Deputy Commissioner reports as follows :—" Seven hundred and seventy-seven
head of stock attended the show against 676 in 1892 ; 286 competed for prizes
against 353. The increase in attendance is due to the fact that fodder was plentiful, and
to several animals exhibited at the Jhelum show being present at the Gujrat Fair.
"The number competing for prizes is backward, as some of the stock produced did
not owe their blood to imported stallions; besides breeders of such animals, owing to the
Jhelum Fair being held this year, did not come to Gujrat, but found their way to Rawal
Pindi on the close of the fair at Jhelum.
"That the quality and stamp of each class of animal competing for prizes was good
is conclusive from the result, viz., that 101 obtained prizes out of 286 competitors, the
percentage being 35.3.
"The remounts and mules purchased for Government purposes were few owing to
the owners of animals not being present on the ground, having taken shelter (during the
heavy storm followed by rain) in adjoining villages.
"General management and sanitary arrangements were good. A staff of sweepers
was present on the ground to remove all litter, &c.