31
since last year. The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent, Civil Veter-
inary Department, Derajat and Baluchistan, attribute this to the fact that it is
very difficult to get really good salutris to take service in Dera Ismail
Khan. The services of one of the veterinary assistants will shortly be dispen-
sed with and his place will be taken by a native of the district who has lately
passed the Lahore College examination. I trust that this will have the effect of
extending the practice of gelding in this district.
164. Ten remounts for Native Cavalry and one for Police were purchased,
besides 3 mules bought by the 1st Punjab Cavalry. On this subject the De-
puty Commissioner reports as follows:—
A Remount officer attended from the Karnal Depôt; but as his purchases for the year
were nearly completed, he did not buy any young stock. A Commissariat officer also attended
from Multan to buy mules, but as all the best ones were under 4 years of age, he was unable to
purchase. The Native Cavalry remounts purchased were well up to the average, and there is
a good prospect of the number of sales under this head increasing next year.
165. This is an improvement on last year, when only 2 remounts were pur-
chased; and I trust that the Deputy Commissioner's expectations for subsequent
years will be realised.
Gujrat Horse
Show.
166. This show was held on 9th and 10th March 1894, and although the
number of animals that attended was slightly less than last year, 704 against
777, still there was a slight increase in the number exhibited, viz., from
286 to 296. The Deputy Commissioner attributes the slight falling off to the
uncertain weather at the time, owing to which owners did not like to run the
risk of bringing their animals to the show.
167. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
however, reports that although the number of animals was less than last year,
he considers the quality and general outturn better.
168. The Deputy Commissioner also adds —
It may be worth mentioning that out of the 704 horses present at the show, no less
than 620 were animals from the Gujrat District itself. This would show that this fair is in
no way dependent on other districts for its exhibits, but is self-supporting.
169. This is most satisfactory, but still a little healthy rivalry between
districts, in the way of competition for prizes, has a most beneficial result.
170. Twenty-nine remounts and 3 mules were purchased by Government;
2 of the former only by the Remount Agent. The Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, North Punjab, in his report states with reference to this
point:—
Doubtless very many horses bred in this district eventually find their way to either
Karnal or Hapur through channels other than the Gujrat Show.
171. I have no doubt but that he is correct. Still the more we can bring
the Remount Agent and the breeder together, the better it will be for the latter
and also for the horse-breeding industry generally.
172. Captain. Angelo, 9th Bengal Lancers, reports with reference to this
show and the remounts purchased by him:—
There appear to be no 4-year old horses fit for Native Cavalry in the fair. The 3-
year olds, however, are far better developed than usually met with and have much more
bone.
173. On the question of his opinion regarding horses exhibited for sale as
compared with other fairs, he says:—
The horses at the Gujrat Fair strike me as being of a much more serviceable type and
procurable at more reasonable prices than at many other Fairs. Great improvement has been
made in the stamp of animals generally shown.
I consider this Fair compares favourably with the best ones in the Punjab. I am very
pleased with the horses I have bought.
174. The Deputy Commissioner adds to his report:—
In consideration of the steady progress which is being made in horse-breeding in this
district, the District Board some time ago resolved to purchase 3 Arab stallions for the exten-
sion of pony-breeding operations. Since then one stallion has been purchased.