36
wait for the show; but to do this we must be able to ensure the presence of the
Remount Agent.
212. The brood mares are thus reported on by the Deputy Commissioner
and the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab:—
Among the brood-mares.
Says the former officer:—
There were some that showed much quality, most of them being the produce of Govern-
ment stallions.
213. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
says:—
The branded mares were a good lot, showing great quality.
214. With such mares in the district, it is only feasible to suppose that
the young stock is excellent and it is a great pity that it falls into the hands of
dealers. Still no doubt very many of these horses ultimately find their way
into the ranks.
215. Thirty geldings competed, of which 20 were awarded prizes. The
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, reports this class
as very creditable; all the prize winners were by Government stallions.
216. The Deputy Commissioner reports that only 4 remounts were pur-
chased, and adds:—
I regret that for two of the remounts purchased no statement has been received from
the purchasing officer.
217. This complaint is so general from all the shows that I would re-
commend that some stringent orders be issued on the subject. If reliable
statistics are to be furnished we must be supplied with these returns; besides
which, if officers fail to submit them, we also lose their opinions as to the
quality, etc., of stock, and their suggestions for any improvement.
218. I will suggest in a separate letter that it will be the duty of every
Remount officer attending a show to register his name with the Secretary,
who would then supply him with the necessary form, and that it should be
incumbent on the purchasing officer to return the same, duly completed, before
he leaves the show. Especially is this want felt with officers of the Imperial
Service Troops when purchasing at shows; it being at times impossible to
obtain the returns from them.
Multan Horse
Show.
219. This show was held on 26th and 27th February 1894; and although
it is favorably reported on by the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, South Punjab, still I must candidly confess that
from my experience of the resources of this district in the years 1880 to 1883,
I am disappointed. This promised to be one of the best districts in the Punjab,
but at present it can only be placed amongst the second-class districts.
220. It is true that the number increased from 782 to 904, and that the
number competing rose from 261 to 348; still I feel that this number does not
in any way represent the horse resources of the district.
221. The Deputy Commissioner in his report states:—
The grant from Government for prizes was reduced from Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 1,500. There
are signs that the interest in horse-breeding is reviving in this and the Muzaffargarh District,
and I. shall be sorry if the grant is still further reduced, as the industry, though flourishing,
needs considerable encouragement.
222. When it is taken into consideration that Bannu with 799 competing
and Dera Ismail Khan with 468, against 348 in Multan, only receive Rs. 500
each from Imperial Funds, I feel that the allotment of Rs. 1,500 is beyond the
merits of the Multan District. Still I do not propose making any reduction
during the coming year, but shall feel compelled to do so if the next show does
not far exceed the present one.
223. The Deputy Commissioner further states:—
Several horse-breeders represented to the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
their desire to have a thoroughbred English stallion in place of the 3 Norfolk Trotter stallions
that we have here. As I stated in my last year's report, the Norfolk Trotter is not popular
in Multan; his progeny is, as a rule, loosely put together and neither has the bone nor the
power which one sees in the sire.