25
156. Two hundred and fifty-one mules were purchased by Native Cavalry
and Native States, as follows:—
2nd Bengal Lancers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
5th Bengal Cavalry
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
9th Bengal Lancers
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
17th Bengal Cavalry
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
18th Bengal Lancers . . . . . . . . .
19th Bengal Lancers
.
.
3rd Punjab Cavalry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1st Central India Horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bharatpur State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bahawalpore State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hyderabad (Deccan) State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nabha State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
No.
11
24
10
10
21
20
8
1
86
14
38
8
251
It will be noticed that none were purchased for the Army Remount
Department or Commissariat Department.
Amritsar(Bysakhi)
Horse Fair.
157. This Fair is never as good a remount Fair as that held during the
Dewali, still the number of remounts purchased for Native Cavalry was very
satisfactory, viz., 145 against 72 last year. The average price paid, exclusive
of those bought for Imperial Service Cavalry, was R288.
158. I feel compelled to give the following extracts from opinions expressed
by Remount Officers:—
Lieutenant-Colonel O'Malley, 1st Punjab Cavalry, states:—
"Imported blood is making its mark and the stock, as far as I can judge, is satisfactory, except in the
case of Norfolk Trotter blood which is in several cases unsatisfactory and in many quite lamentable. If
asked my opinion I would advocate Thoroughbred English and Arab stallions only of the proper type."
Captain Davies, Guides Cavalry, states:—
"Better class of remounts than last year at this Fair and more of them, but prices have gone up 15 per
cent. since last year. Very few remounts obtainable from zemindars: every year more and more in the hands
of dealers which raises prices. Unless something can be done to stop this, prices will be prohibitive for Native
Cavalry; they are very nearly so now."
159. The opinion is gaining ground amongst officers of Native Cavalry that
no regiments should purchase from dealers. I do not venture an opinion on the
point but I feel it advisable to place the fact on record.
160. Ninety-nine mules were purchased of which 60 were for Bharatpur
and 20 for Jodhpur, the remaining 19 were purchased by the Guides Cavalry
and Central India Horse. Five hundred and eight mules were sold to others.
None were purchased by the Army Remount Department.
161. One hundred and sixteen ponies were purchased mainly for the Jaipur
Transport Corps. As usual, a large number were bought by the outside
public. On this point the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
South Punjab, states:—
"Besides the above, Messrs. Milton & Co., horse-dealers, Calcutta, purchased several—about 30. I was
not able to ascertain the exact number as they were sent away by truck loads as soon as purchased.
"Many more were purchased by Bhojpuri dealers, amongst their numbers being foals and yearlings by
Government sires. A fact much to be regretted as these animals subjected as they will be to the hardship of
marching down country, must fail to develop as they would have done if taken care of in the hands of the
zemindari breeder."
162. The fact that the Calcutta dealers are now coming up country to pur-
chase testifies to the demand for Country-breds. How this is to be overcome,
I fail to see and my opinion is that the more the country-bred improves the
greater will be the demand and consequently the greater will be the compe-
tition with which the Native Cavalry will have to meet.
Dera Ghasi Khan
Horse Show.
163. This Show was a great success in spite of the scarcity which prevails.
Two thousand nine hundred animals attended as compared with 2,275 last
year.
164. Sixty-two remounts were purchased for Native Cavalry against 31
last year. The general opinion of purchasing officers was that the quality of the
stock was excellent and I can safely say that a better lot of remounts could
not be wished for. The average price paid for Native Cavalry remounts was
R280.
E