14

36. In order to foster this industry, a good Italian donkey has been supplied
to Iskan Khan Tarin, Resident of Toreshah, Tehsil Pishin, Quetta district.
He has provided 40 good donkey mares which he will increase to 50 next
year. He has also promised to increase this number by selection from the
best of those belonging to zemindars living near him.

A stand has also been established in the Rawalpindi district, this being
a centre possessing very fine donkey mares.

37. In addition to the advantages which this Department will derive from
attention to the improvement of donkeys in this country, the Government of
India will also be adding to its Transport supply; as if a good stamp of donkey,
measuring 12-3 in height, with good bone, can be produced, he will make a
better transport animal than a mule of similar height, as his carrying powers
will be equal and he will prove more hardy on a campaign entailing hardship
and short rations.

38. I regret to say that the Bombay market has utterly failed to produce
Persian donkey sires. During the year under review, a number were expected,
but I was only able to purchase one, and this one was so small that it was only
fitted for District Board work. Whilst in Bombay, I endeavoured to make
arrangements whereby a supply would be ensured, but I am not at all hopeful
of success. The dealers wish to insist that this Department is to take every
donkey imported, and as this would certainly tend to the importation of a large
percentage of animals totally unfitted for mule breeding, I would not consent
to their proposals.

They have, however, been informed that the maximum price, viz , Rs. 350,
will be paid for every donkey of dark colour that comes up to the standard
requirements.

It is, however, hoped that a market will be started at Quetta, at which
Persian and Herati donkeys will be obtainable.

39. A reference to the statement above given will show that the Zanzibar
and Somali donkeys possess neither height, girth, nor bone. The 5 Zanzibaris
have been equally divided between North-Western Provinces, North and South
Punjab, but the Somalis are totally unfitted for mule breeding.

By orders received from the Government of India, these latter have been
offered to all the District Boards in the North-Western Provinces and Punjab,
but owing to their size, the biggest being 10-1½ hands in height, only one has
been selected by these bodies.

Number of
Mules purchas-
ed by Govern-
ment.

40. Table X, page xxxix, will show the number of mules purchased, by
which it will be seen that only 138 were bought by the Remount Department
and Batteries; this is but a very small number; the cause I attribute to the
fact that purchases by this Department were mainly made in April 1895 and
will be shown in the current year.

The number purchased by the Commissariat and Transport Departments
was 1,669 against 1,798 last year,