26
165. Lahore and other dealers took away at least 100 from this fair. Their
attention this year was entirely devoted to remounts as they knew they would
command a ready sale owing to the demand caused by the transfer of horses
to South Africa, but what surprised me was the high price paid by them.
Rupees 400 was readily given for a good remount and by a return received
from the Deputy Commissioner, I find that one dealer bought 31 at an average
price of R270.
166. The Army Remount Department only obtained three head of young
stock. On this point the Remount Agent states:—
"All suitable young stock had been bought up by Native Cavalry and by dealers before the Fair com-
menced."
167. As before stated, when remarking on the collection of young stock
for purchase in districts, the Chiefs quite determined not to sell to the Remount
Department; this is to be regretted as the young stock of this district are
amongst the best.
168. About 300 of all ages and sizes were bought by the Bhojpuri dealers
to rear in Bengal.
169. Ten mules were bought by the Remount and 10 by the Commissariat
Department; this is a distinct improvement on last year when only 4 were
purchased.
Jellalabad Horse
Show,
170. I had intended omitting any review of this Show but on reference to
the reports received I find that it has become one of importance from a remount
point of view, I shall therefore offer a few brief remarks.
171. The Special Judging Committee states:—
"Notwithstanding the scarcity in the district the brood mares kept by breeders were, as a rule, of a stamp
suitable for producing Cavalry remounts, showing plenty of breeding and bone, and the young stock appeared
plentiful and of excellent quality."
172. Fifty-six Native Cavalry remounts were purchased against 21 last
year. The average price paid was R263.
173. The Bhojpuri dealers as usual took a large number of young stock
from this district. The exact number is not known but it is calculated that
between two and three hundred were bought by them.
Multan Horse Show.
174. This Horse Show has improved greatly during the past few years. I
feel I cannot describe the improvement better than is done in the report of the
Special Committee, which states:—
"The Fair this year has been a most excellent one, particularly in the classes for young stock and brood
mares. It having been reported to the Committee that the great fault in this Fair has hitherto been the want
of care shown to all classes of stock, it notes with pleasure the great improvement which must have taken
place in this respect, all the mares especially showed marked attention. on the part of the owners. The main
feature in respect to this Fair must be the Remount classes, for, whereas last year the Army Remount Agent
was only able to purchase two head of stock, seven were purchased on this occasion. And again whilst only
six remounts were purchased for Native Cavalry, twenty-five were paraded for inspection. Not only were
the numbers satisfactory but the class and quality were much above the average shown at other Fairs. It
was brought to the notice of the Committee that last year the increase in the number of mules was noticeable.
This increase was again maintained this year, but the Committee regretted to note that the dealer had been to
work in this class, as all the better class of mules were only two years of age, showing that all those of over three
had been already purchased. The Committee would bring to notice the success of the Arab sire in this district,
especially that of a stallion named 'Jasra'. And they were pleased to learn that it was the intention of the
Civil Veterinary Department to eliminate the two remaining Hackneys and replace them by Arabs. If this policy
is adhered to, the Committee is of opinion that a large number of remounts, both for Pritish and native
Cavalry, will be obtainable in this district. The management of the Fair left nothing to be desired."
175. The average price of the 25 remounts purchased was R257. The Re-
mount Agent states:—
"This Fair has far exceeded expectation. The stamp of young stock exhibited was excellent, showing great
quality and size. I purchased 7 good young stock showing every likelihood of developing into good remounts.
The prices ran high owing to a great extent to the superiority of the young stock and also to the competition
set up by Native Cavalry Remount Agents purchasing under three years of age. Several good young stock
suitable for British Cavalry were secured by these officers and also by native dealers of Lahore. I saw no
mules suitable for Ordnance."
176. The regiment which purchased stock of two years of age was the 18th
Bengal Lancers; these were for rearing on their newly acquired run; they
were all excellent youngsters and I feel convinced that this system must tend
to the improvement of the horses of our Native Cavalry.
Rawalpindi Horse
Show.
177. Great scarcity has existed in this district and it was anticipated that
this would have a very injurious effect on the Fair, and although I noticed the