NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION REPORT
OF THE
CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT IN INDIA
FOR THE OFFICIAL YEAR
1893-94.
PART I—IMPERIAL REPORT.
A.—MILITARY SECTION.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
As will be seen by Table I (vide page iii) the number of stallions present
at the commencement of the year was 333; during 1893-94, 70 were added to
the register and 41 were removed, leaving a balance on 31st March 1894 of 362
horses on the strength of this Department.
2. Of this number, 106 were in the North- Western Provinces and Oudh,
169 in the Punjab including the Derajat, 46 in Bombay, 35 in Baluchistan, 5
in Central India, and one with the Deoli Irregular Force in Rajputana.
Stallions.
Number of—.
Received dur-
ing the year.
3. One Australian, 17 Arabs, and one country-bred were purchased in India
by the Inspector-General. Forty-three horses were received by importation,
nine being thoroughbred English and 34 half-breds, hackneys and roadsters.
Casualties.
4. Of the 41 stallions removed from the registers, 16 died (vide Table II,
page iv) and 15 were destroyed, making a total of 31 casualties. The
percentage, which in the North-West Provinces would appear to be high, was
greatly added to by 3 deaths which occurred at sea.
Sales.
5. Nine horses and 4 ponies were sold, vide Table III, page vi. One
Imperial stallion was sold, with the sanc-
tion of the Government of India, to the
North-Western Provinces Government for Rs. 300, the horse being unfit for
service as an Imperial stallion in consequence of an injury to the hip.
Military Department No. 183-D., dated 10th Jan-
uary 1894.
Number
of
stallions
pre-
sent.
6. The totals compared with last year are as follows:—362 horses against
333 last year and 28 ponies against 30 present during 1892-93.
English stal-
lions.
7. I am unable to comment on the horses received from England, not hav-
ing as yet seen them, besides which no records are to be found in this office
showing my predecessor's opinion of the horses received. I note with regret
that the percentage of thoroughbreds is so small; the call for this class of horse
is at present very great, especially in districts that for a lengthened period
have had a coarse strain of blood. I shall hope in future years to obtain more.
Arab stallions.
8. The supply of Arabs is one that demands our serious attention. It
cannot be denied that those which have of late been bought are not up to the
standard required, and I can only hope that the arrangement made by my
predecessor with a large Arab dealer named Jasim-bin-Feed will be the means
of obtaining horses of a superior stamp. I shall endeavour, when in Bombay, to
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
A.—MILITARY SECTION.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
A.—MILITARY SECTION.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
Donkey stal-
lions. Number
of-
28. The number of donkey stallions at the commencement of the year
1893-94 (vide Table I, page iii) was 312. Forty were added to the registers,
14 having been received by importation and 23 were purchased in India.
Twenty-seven were struck off the registers, leaving a balance of 325 present on
31st March 1894. Of these 301 were employed in the Provinces comprised in
the Bengal Presidency and 24 in Bombay.
Casualties and
sales.
29. Of the total number struck off the registers, eight died and ten were
destroyed (vide Table VII, page XV), whilst five were sold as shown in
Table VIII, page xvi. The percentage of deaths must be looked upon as
satisfactory.
Seven of the ten destroyed were old and worn out animals. Of the five
disposed of, one, a home-bred donkey, was sold for mule-breeding for Rs. 250,
whilst the other four were sold as being unfit for stud purposes.
Number
of
donkey stallions
at stud work.
30. The number of donkey stallions at stud work was as follows :—
North-Western Provinces... ... ...
North Punjab … ... ... ...
South Punjab … ... ... ...
Derajat ... ... ... ...
Bombay … ... ... ...
80
106
51
14
251 out of a total of 301.
20 out of a total of 24.
This must be looked upon as most satisfactory.
31. The average number of mares covered per donkey stallion employed
(vide Table IX, page xvii) is as follows:—
Average num-
ber of mares
covered
per
donkey
stal-
lion.
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ...
North Punjab … … ...
South Punjab … … ...
Derajat … … … ...
Deccan … … … ...
Guzerat
…
…
…
...
Sindh and Cutch ... ...
...
Pony mare.
50.50
77.18
79.93
71.28
19.14
31.42
45.28
Donkey mare.
26.50
51.16
41.00
...
...
...
…
32. The average obtained in the North-Western Provinces and Oudh is fair
but is less than last year, when the average number of pony mares covered by
donkey stallions was 55.30.
33. The average of the Punjab and Derajat was very high : In my opinion
too high ; as the donkeys will not stand this strain for long, more donkey power
is required in this Province.
34. The average obtained in the Bombay Presidency, including Deccan and
Guzerat, is most unsatisfactory.
35. There was a slight increase in the number of pony mares for mule-
breeding in Bombay, the number having risen from 1,010 to 1,434, but here
I fear statistics are misleading, as out of 1,010 mares none are shown as
having died or having been sold.
9
42. That much more donkey power could be used in the Punjab and
Derajat is self-evident, and I purpose addressing the Government of India
shortly with a view of obtaining sanction to an increase from 330, which
is the present strength, to 350 for the Provinces comprised in the Bengal
Presidency, increasing annually by 20 until the total number reaches 400.
43. The efficiency of the donkeys on the registers of these Provinces is far
from satisfactory, there being 79 of 16 years of age and upwards out of a total
of 300. To replace this large number, there are only 25 unallotted donkeys
at the depôt, and 64 are expected to be imported or purchased this year: but
this 64 includes an increase of 30 on the sanctioned strength of 300. A large
number of old donkeys will therefore have to be retained, and our establish-
ment in this respect must be looked upon as most unsatisfactory.
Number
of
mules purchas-
ed by Govern-
ment.
44. The number of mules purchased by the Remount Department and
Batteries, Royal Artillery, (vide Table X, page xxviii), is satisfactory, amounting
as it does, to 314.
45. The number purchased by the Commissariat and Transport Depart-
ments amounted to 1,798. Of these 139 were bought at Jalapahar and
Sikkim. Many of these I inspected when at Darjeeling and found them to be
sturdy, well-built mules likely to make excellent transport animals. We
have lately sent an Italian donkey to Sikkim with a view of extending mule-
breeding in those parts, but I maintain that to breed such excellent mules,
excellent Jacks must exist. I am, therefore, making enquiries as to the possi-
bility of obtaining a few for work in the Punjab, as the sources from which
our supply of donkey stallions is obtainable are very limited. I might mention
that I have also addressed the British Consul at Zanzibar on that subject.
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
I.—HORSE BREEDING.
Cost of feed and
keep of Gov-
ernment horse
stallions.
46. Table XI (vide page xxxi) will show the cost of feed and keep of Gov-
ernment horse and pony stallions during 1893-94. The following is a
summary:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ... ...
Rajputana
...
... ... ...
North Punjab ... ... ... ...
South Punjab ... ... ... ...
Derajat ... ... ... ...
Baluchistan ... ... ... ...
Central India ... ... ... ...
Deccan ... ... ... ...
Guzerat ... ... ... ...
Sindh and Cutch
…
...
...
AVERAGE COST PER STALLION.
Horse.
Rs.
292
218
307
238
321
486
181
342
335
433
A.
1
11
15
5
3
9
3
12
5
13
P.
1
6
5
10
2
4
2
2
9
1
Pony.
Rs. A. P.
...
...
...
...
...
...
166
308
281
361
9
13
2
7
1
4
4
3
47. Comparison with last year cannot well be made, owing to the fact
that Bengal and Bombay were taken as a whole. I however would have ex-
pected that a cheaper rate might have been obtained in Bengal owing to cheap-
ness of grain. I have been greatly struck with the excessive cost of feed and
keep at the North-Western Provinces Depôt ; as will be seen by reference to
Table XI, it stood at the high figure of Rs. 312-13-1 against Rs. 262-9-9 at
the Punjab Depôt, both being located at Babugarh.
48. The average per stallion at this (North-West Provinces) depôt is
Rs. 73-3-5 in excess of the average cost of other districts in these Provinces.
The cause I attribute to the following reasons :—
(a) Excessive charges in the way of contingencies. On this point I
have issued stringent orders, which, I feel certain, will be the
means of reducing the expenditure.
(b) High rates charged for produce raised on the Instructional Farm.
On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
North-West Provinces and Oudh, the officer in charge of the
farm, states that the material is so much better, owing to su-
perior cultivation, that market-rates cannot be charged. With
this I cannot agree in any way. Horses can be kept in excel-
lent health and condition on ordinary fodder raised at the depôt,
and therefore I have given strict orders that in future market
rates are to be charged for all produce supplied to Imperial
stallions. The Instructional Farm should be prepared to sell
at these rates, or else it should be shown that it is worked at a
loss.
15
Number
of
mares covered
by Government
horse stallions.
56. The number of mares covered by Government horse stallions during
the past two years is as follows (vide Table IV, page vii) :—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ... … …
North Punjab… … … ...
South Punjab … … … ...
Derajat … … … ...
Baluchistan … … … ...
Central India … … … ...
Deccan … … … ...
Guzerat… … … ...
Sind and Cutch … … … ...
1892-93.
3,781
2,107
1,560
809
No records.
163
585
148
502
1893-94.
2,839
2,781
1,810
973
1,218
199
574
139
610
57. The falling off in the North-Western Provinces and Oudh was partly
due to the fact that the figures of the previous year included mares covered
in the Delhi Division, which during the year under review were transferred to
South Punjab. The increase in the number of mares served by Government
horse stallions in the Punjab is most satisfactory.
Number
of
produce foaled
showing aver-
ages to mares
covered
and
stallions
em-
ployed.
58. These results, as noted in Table IV, must be looked upon as most
unsatisfactory.
59. North-Western Provinces and Oudh.—Of 3,781 mares covered during
the previous year, only 749 are reported as having produced foals; giving an
average of 7.56 per stallion employed.
60. North Punjab.—Of 2,107 mares covered in 1892-93, 641 are said to
have produced foals, giving an average of 14.24 per stallion employed.
61. South Punjab.—Of 1,560 mares covered in the previous year, 481
produced foals; giving an average of 14.14 per stallion employed.
62. The averages in Bombay are still worse:—
Deccan … ... ... ... ...
Guzerat … ... ... ... ...
Sind and Cutch ... ... ... ...
8.44
5.6
5.88
63. The above averages speak for themselves. They are absurd and
thoroughly unreliable. They point to the fact that the zilladars are not doing
their work properly.
64. I have requested the Superintendents to carefully check returns sent
in by these men. This can be done by occasionally visiting villages and mak-
ing personal enquiries. Any zilladar found guilty of submitting false reports
will be immediately dismissed. I shall be sorry to have to adopt such strong
measures with the subordinate staff, but I feel that until an example is made
more satisfactory results will not be obtained.
65. The averages obtained in the Punjab are more satisfactory than in the
other Provinces.
16
Castration.
66. The number of colts castrated during 1893-94 (vide Table XIII, page
xxxv) was as follows : —
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ... ... ...
Punjab, including Derajat ... ... ... ...
Baluchistan
... ... ... ... ...
Bombay
... ... ... ... ...
Total...
704
726
45
109
1,584
67. Bengal may be said to have made but little progress; the number
castrated in 1892-93 having been 1,444 as against 1,475 during the year under
review. The falling off in the number castrated in Bombay is to be regretted;
it being only 109 during the past year against 326 in 1892-93 and 320 in 1891-
92. With reference to this the Superintendent, Bombay, reports:—
The attention of Veterinary graduates in charge of dispensaries has been called to the
fact that in horse-breeding districts it is one of their chief duties.
The salutris attached to the Department appeared to make little headway, owing to the
aversion the ryot has to get his colt castrated.
68. This explanation is not satisfactory, and I consider that renewed
exertions should be made to increase the number castrated.
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
II.—MULE BREEDING.
Cost of feed
and keep of
Government
donkey
stal-
lions.
69. The average cost per donkey stallion in 1893-94 as shown in Table
XIV, page xxxvii, was as follows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab
...
...
South Punjab
...
...
Derajat ... … ... …
Baluchistan … … ... …
Deccan ... ... … …
Guzerat ... … ... … …
Sind and Cutch … … ... …
Burma (Upper) … … ... …
Rs.
143
159
125
174
575
255
219
285
348
A.
4
13
9
5
2
3
13
11
0
P.
0
5
5
9
8
7
0
10
0
70. Here again, the cost per donkey stallion at the Babugarh Depôt
is excessive. I trust, however, to be able to note a great reduction next
year.
71. The difference between the average cost of donkeys in North and
South Punjab is due to the fact that all clothing and stable gear was debited
to the former owing to no provision having been made for this in the budget
grant for South Punjab.
Number
of
pony
and
donkey mares
served by Gov-
ernment don-
key stallions.
72. The number of pony and donkey mares covered by Government
donkey stallions, as noted in Table IX, page xvii, were as follows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh …
North Punjab
...
... …
South Punjab
...
... …
Derajat ... … …
Deccan
... … …
Guzerat … … …
Sind and Cutch ... … …
Pony Mares.
1892-93.
4,703
6,529
3,570
857
28
...
814
1893-94
3,789
7,155
3,917
998
45
11
788
Donkey Mares.
1892-93.
131
521
106
…
…
...
...
1893-94.
131
614
82
…
…
…
…
73. It will be noticed that there was a large falling off in the North-
-estern Provinces, amounting to 914 pony mares. This was, however, more
than counterbalanced by the large increase which took place in the Punjab,
including Derajat, viz., 1,114. This number would have been much larger
had more donkey power been available.
20
Number
of
mule
stock
foaled.
74. The average of mule produce per stallion employed as shown in Table
IX, is far from satisfactory, it being as follows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh ....
North Punjab
. . . … … …
South Punjab
…
…
…
…
Deccan ... … … ... …
Sind and Cutch … …… …
Mule produce.
13.62
16.57
14.56
1.92
5.17
Donkey produce.
9.00
19.40
14.50
...
...
75. A mere glance at these figures will prove how unreliable they are.
Take, for example, the number of produce of donkey mares in the North-
Western Provinces being less than that of pony mares : this certainly is not
the case and only proves that the zilladars have failed to do their work.
76. The Punjab, both North and South, although not what it should be,
is certainly better in this respect.
PART I.—IMPERIAL REPORT.
B.—REVENUE SECTION.
III.—HORSE FAIRS AND SHOWS.
Review
on
horse
fairs
and shows of
1893-94.
77. Following the course adopted in former years, the fairs and shows
held in each Province have been reviewed in alphabetical order.
NORTH-WESTERN PROVINCES.
Aligarh Horse
Show.
78. This show was held from 23th February to 5th March 1894. The
number of zemindari horses attending was 484 against 439 last year, showing
an increase of 45.
79. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, remarks with reference to this point: "I feel assured
many more would have been present had it not been for the unsettled state of
the weather." He further adds: " The show was successful, quite up to the
average of former ones. The classes competing for prizes were, almost without
exception, good. The branded fillies and many mares in the branded mare
class were very superior animals. The two-year old fillies and British Cavalry
remounts were likewise very good."
80. The prospects of this district are decidedly good. Three provincial
stallions and 8 approved private ones are employed, so that we can look for-
ward to an yearly improvement.
81. Our thanks are decidedly due to the Collector, Mr. Harrison, who has
taken extraordinary interest in the development of horse-breeding, and who
kindly presented a silver medal to the owner or keeper of the stallion who
covered the greatest number of good mares.
82. Twelve remounts were purchased for British Cavalry and 56 for
Native Cavalry, being a decrease of one for the former and an increase of 56 for
Native Cavalry.
83. Twenty-nine mares and fillies were branded during the show.
84. Bridles were awarded to the prize-winners as below:—
Ruther Singh of Bhatawla.
Nait Ram of Karthara.
Bansi of Bhuranga.
Daleep Singh of Gabhana.
Girwar Singh of Kamaoli.
85. Captain Cookson, who purchased for the Rampur Imperial Service
Lancers, remarks that "if the Government Remount officer could be induced
to come early to the fair and make his purchases and rejections, it would be a
boon to many." This opinion I endorse, as the Remount officer giving, as he
does, higher prices than the Native Cavalry can afford to do, prevents the latter
from purchasing as they otherwise would.
Batesar Horse
Fair.
86. This fair was held from 20th November 1893, and was advertised to
last till 29th, but was practically over by 27th. The Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, recommends that
in future it should only last a week.
87. This may be said to be purely a dealer's fair, it being out of the horse
and mule-breeding area.
88. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, remarks that as the exhibitors are not breeders as a rule,
he recommends the prizes to be allotted solely to the remount class, and
the amount to be reduced to Rs. 150. This question will be carefully
considered.
26
111. Generally speaking, the show must be looked upon as having been a
great success.
112. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western
Provinces and Oudh, reports as follows:—
The best classes were the branded and other fillies. In the other filly classes the brand-
ed animals took several first and second prizes. This is gratifying, showing, as it does, that
the zemindars are beginning to retain their promising youngsters for brood purposes instead
of selling them for the sake of immediate profit.
The colt classes showed a marked falling off when compared to the fillies.
113. Eighteen head of young stock were puchased by the Remount Agent,
and on this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North-
Western Provinces and Oudh, states—
If the Remount Agent had not arrived several days late, more could have easily been
obtained; several eligible colts and fillies having been purchased by dealers and others before
his arrival.
114. This is to be regretted, as the Remount Agent states that he con-
siders that the stock compared very favorably with Bulandshahr, which he con-
siders the best fair in the North-Western Provinces.
115. Nineteen horses were bought for Native Cavalry, 17 for Imperial Ser-
vice Troops, and 12 for Police; making, together with the 18 purchased by the
Remount Agent, a total of 66 against 52 purchased last year.
116. A special judging committee assembled at this fair, composed as
follows:—
Major J. F. M. Faweett, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, President.
Veterinary-Major R. Poyser, Army Veterinary Department.
Captain W. E. Stobart, 5th Dragoon Guards.
Captain W. F. Shakespeare, 5th Bengal Cavalry.
117. From no records in this office can I trace any opinion expressed by
these officers on the different classes exhibited. This is gueatly to be regretted,
as much might be learned from independent opinions thus obtained.
118. The horse-breeding industry in this district lost a warm supporter by
the death of the late Collector, Mr. White; but I am very pleased to find that
the present Collector, Mr. Wyer, expresses his opinion that the show is a most
admirable institution deserving of every encouragement, and states that he will
for the future do all he can to improve it.
119. Bridles were given to the following prize-winners:—
Sicundar of Rataul.
Cadma of Dadaira.
Tez Singh of Mehmoodpur.
Badam of Kandera.
Jhandoo of Meethli.
Muzafarnagar
Horse Show.
120. This show, held from 23rd to 28th March 1894, unlike that of Nau-
chandi (Meerut), is a purely agricultural one; and, as the Collector remarks,
its success or failure must be calculated by the number of horses brought for
sale or exhibition.
121. The total number of horses that attended this year was 1,129 against
794 in 1893. Of these 958 were zemindari stock, the remainder belonging to
dealers. 373 competed for prizes against 248 last year. This must be looked
upon as most satisfactory.
122. An independent judging committee consisting of—
Major Scott Chisholme, 5th Royal Irish Lancers, President,
Major Hegan, 5th Dragoon Guards,
Major Macdonald, 6th Bengal Lancers,
Veterinary-Lieutenant Tibaldi, Army Veterinary Department.
27
assembled. They report the following classes being "very good":—
(i) Branded fillies.
(ii) Fillies.
(iii) Fillies out of branded mares by Government stallions.
(iv) Yearlings.
The following as being "good":—
(i) Branded mares.
(ii) Yearling fillies out of branded mares.
(iii) Fillies from 6 to 12 months out of branded mares.
Whilst branded mares with foal at foot were considered as "moderate."
123. The breeding stock at this show, which includes the districts of Muza-
farnagar, Saharanpur and Karnal, must therefore be looked upon as decidedly
good.
124. Five head of stock were purchased by the Remount Agent. The
Collector in alluding to this states:—
It should be noticed that the Remount Agent was at the show for a few hours only
before the horses had all come in, and so his selection cannot have been very exhaustive.
125. Eleven remounts were purchased for Native Cavalry, making with
the 5 bought by the Remount Agent an access of 7 over the number pur-
chased last year.
PUNJAB.
Amritsar (De-
wali) Fair.
126. This fair, held from the 3rd to 13th November 1893, must be looked
upon as purely a dealers' fair. In point of number an improvement has taken
place. 4,914 horses attended this year against 3,478 last year; there was, how-
ever, a falling off in the number of mules—314 against 370 last year.
127. Seventy-three remounts were purchased for Government, 76, by
Native Cavalry and one for Police. This would appear to show a great falling
off in the number bought for Native Cavalry, but no returns were sent to the
Secretary, who states in his report:—
As usual, a difficulty has been experienced in procuring the tabulated particulars re-
quired by the Horse-breeding Department from officers purchasing animals.
128. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, remarks—
In the class for British remounts, only one put in an appearance. In class IV— Re-
mounts for Native Cavalry—21 entered.
The small number of remounts competing is to be regretted.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, also adds—
I am unable to give the number of remounts purchased at the show, owing to the fact
that no returns have been forwarded by the different purchasing officers. I think further
steps might be taken in the matter.
With this I quite agree and consider that these returns should be submit-
ted immediately on the termination of the fair.
129. I think this district is capable of further development. One hundred
and ten mares were presented for branding, of which the Superintendent, Civil
Veterinary Department, branded 53, many of those rejected being under the
standard height. This would prove that there are many mares fitted for stallions
purchased by the District Boards, of which there are 2 in Amritsar.
130. One hundred and twenty mules were purchased by Government this
year against 19 last year, whilst 355 were purchased by others against 326 in
1892.
131. The Secretary, Mr. E. Nicoll, to whose indefatigable exertions the
success of this fair is mainly due, brings to notice the energetic way in which