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"(b) Objection to Government stallions.—This must be overcome somehow and this Department will
spare no endeavours to please the breeders in the way of stallions. Already, a horse that they
did not approve of has been removed and an excellent Thoroughbred has been sent in his place.
I trust he will prove a success, but I would ask the assistance of the District officials in the
way of popularizing Government stallions. The same difficulty was experienced when horse-
breeding was in its infancy in other Provinces but was overcome by interest being evinced in
the matter by the District Officers. It only wants a start and breeders will soon recognize
the value of utilizing Government stallions by the better prices they will realize for their
stock.''
208. Referring to mule-breeding, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, states:—
"Sixty-nine mules were shown among which I saw two fit for Ordnance, six fit for 1st class
Baggage, and several very promising young ones. There was also a good class of mares covered by donkey
stallions."
209. Mule-breeding will be one of the most prominent features in Sind and
as the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, is now empowered to buy
Ordnance mules for the Army Remount Department and as he will also purchase
young mules for rearing at Hissar, I hope that a further stimulus will be given
to this industry.
BENGAL.
Kalimpong Mule
Fair.
210. One hundred mules were purchased by the Commissariat Department
at an average price of about R135, but it is to be regretted that in submitting his
roll the purchasing officer makes no remarks on the class of mule obtained.
The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, however, states:—
"The average size and quality of the mules show steady progress and they are now about as good as they are
ever likely to be. The money offered by Government in prizes has done much towards attracting good mules
from Thibet and every muleteer must know that whoever owns a good mule may find a ready sale for it at
Kalimpong. Eleven mules were sold to the Mountain Battery the day before the Fair."
Special Judging
Committees.
211. As usual, Special Judging Committees were appointed for the Punjab
and the North-Western Provinces. The former was composed of the following
Officers:—
Major Shaw.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Captain Hardy .
.
.
.
.
.
.
1st Punjab Cavalry.
Royal Artillery,
No Veterinary Officer was available to serve on this Committee, the Superin-
tendents, Civil Veterinary Department, therefore took his place, helping each
other at large Fairs.
212. The North-Western Provinces Committee was composed as follows:—
Major Carr . . . . . . .
Captain Stanton .
.
.
.
.
.
Veterinary Lieutenant Cranford . . . . . . .
3rd Bengal Cavalry.
Royal Artillery.
Army Veterinary Department.
213. My best thanks are due to both Committees for the careful manner in
which they carried out the judging, but especially to that assembled in the
Punjab, and in particular to Major Shaw. The work of the Punjab Committee
was very onerous as they had to attend ten fairs at most of which the classes
were large, calling for most careful judging, which was done most thoroughly.
SUMMARY.
214. It would be impossible to draw a comparison between the Fairs, taken
collectively, held in 1898-99 and those held last year, as so many had to be
abandoned. It was universally anticipated that the majority would have been
absolute failures, but although the total number of animals present decreased,
still the number competing for prizes showed but little falling off. Take as an
instance the North-Western Provinces, only 58,736 were present against 80,185
in 1898-99, still the difference in the number competing shows a reduction of
only 26. This proves that only such animals as were considered likely to take
prizes or such were for sale, were brought in.