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No. 2275, dated Simla, the 28th October 1891.
From—J. W. P MUIR-MACKENZIE, Esq., Officiating Secretary to the Government
of India, Revenue and Agricultural Department,
To—HERR F. STOCKINGER, care of Austro-Hungarian Consul-General at Bombay.
Sir Edward Buck has left it on record that you had stated in conver-
sation with himself and Colonel Deane that the Austrian Government were
disposed to present the Government of India with the munificent gift of five
or six stallions of the class used in Hungary to produce army horses. I am
now permitted to inform you that, should the Government of Austria be will-
ing to carry their generous intentions into effect, the Government of India will
have much satisfaction in receiving the stallions, and making suitable arrange-
ments to secure their produce for remount purposes. If the stallions are to be
of use during the coming year, it is advisable that they should start early, as it
is found that imported horses invariably require a period of acclimatisation
before they are able to withstand effectually the strain of the hot weather.
Should it not be convenient to despatch the stallions at an early date, therefore,
it may be desirable to postpone operations for another year. I am to suggest
that you will be so good as to place yourself in direct communication with Mr.
Hallen, the General Superintendent, Horse-Breeding Operations, Meerut, re-
garding the despatch and reception of the stallions.
In conclusion, I have much pleasure in conveying the cordial acknow-
ledgments of the Governor-General in Council both to the Austrian Govern-
ment for their kind intentions and to yourself for the interest which you have
displayed in questions affecting horse-breeding operations in India.
Dated Gorz, Austria, 25th November 1891.
From—HERR F. STOCKINGER,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Revenue and Agricultural Depart-
ment.
Your letter, dated the 28th October 1891, No. 2275/48, has reached me here
just now. I sincerely regret that the conversation which I had the pleasure
to have with Sir Edward Buck and Colonel Deane some months ago at Simla
should have led to a misunderstanding which I can only suppose is owing to
my not having expressed myself with sufficient clearness on that occasion.
The Royal Hungarian Government did not intend to make a gift of a
certain number of stallions from her own studs to the Indian Government, but
on my representing the mutual benefit that may arise from introducing that
excellent breed of horses into the studs of the Indian Government is ready to
sell at a uniform price of 2,000 florins Austrian value to your Government
such horses.
What may have led to this misunderstanding is perhaps that I mentioned
this as an exception made by the Hungarian Government in favour of yours.
The Hungarian Government does not sell stallions from their studs (except
English thorough-breds for racing purposes), as they and more are required
for breeding purposes by being let out to private breeders, farmers, &c.
Only once before have three Arab stallions been sold to the Emperor of Japan.
A detailed account of this I have already given to Mr. Hallen at Simla,
who has also made written notes in my presence on all particulars, mode, and
cost of transport, &c. Mr. Hallen intended at that time to address the
Military Department on the subject, which has perhaps been done since. Be-
sides, if I am not mistaken, I have written on the subject in your absence to
Mr. Young in the course of last summer.
I regret not having found you at Simla when I called at your office.
Finally, I can only express my hope that His Excellency the Governor-
General in Council and yourself exculpate me of any intention of misleading
him and you in this case.