15

    89.    But it is mainly with reference to the class " unknown " that I would
wish to speak. The results obtained by the stock by unknown sires are decidedly
bad; showing as they do that out of a total of 329 which left the Depôts, only 92
were considered fit for British Cavalry; this only gives a percentage of 27.96.

    Nothing could be worse, but it goes to prove that the stock got by known
sires is superior to that got by unknown, and it also goes to prove that as few as
possible should be purchased; these generally are bought from dealers.

    90.     In last year's report I stated that Officers Commanding British Cavalry
Regiments, whose regiments are mounted on Country-breds, might be asked to
watch the working of those horses whose pedigrees are known and that they should
be asked to submit their opinions as to the working capabilities of horses got by
the different classes of sires. I am not aware whether this has been done or not.
I however purpose addressing Government on this subject in a separate communi-
cation, as the information thus obtained would be of great value.

Country-bred
Remounts
Number pur-
chased.

    91. Tables VI, VI (a), VI (b) and VI (c), will show the number of
remounts and young stock purchased. The following will show the number
obtained during the past three years :—

    By the above it will be seen that 53 more were purchased this year than
in 1896-97.

    92.     The Army Remount Department purchased 141 head of stock against
160 last year. This Department has, I am glad to say, raised its standard of
measurements, &c. This will undoubtely lead to fewer rejections, but in some
instances, such as at Aligarh and Dera Ghazi Khan, I venture to think, that more
might have been bought.

    93.     The Bengal Cavalry purchased 821 against 851, and the Punjab Cavalry
284 against 316 last year. The reductions are trifling, and may be attributed to
the small number of Officers who attended the various Horse Fairs and Shows;
this, no doubt, being in a measure due to the inability of regiments to spare the
services of Officers owing to the Frontier Expeditions.

    94.     The small number of Country-bred remounts purchased by the following
regiments is noticeable :—

    This points to a large number of Australian remounts having been pur-
chased during the year.

    95.     The number of remounts, whose pedigrees were known, increased greatly
during the year under review. This points to the fact that not only are purchas-
ing Officers paying more attention to this important subject, but I think it proves
that they are getting better horses.

    96.     The Army Remount Department obtained no less than 82.27 percentage
of pedigrees against 54.37 last year. I have already stated that this Department
has raised its standard, and I think there is no more significant fact in bearing out
this statement than the number of pedigrees obtained, for I think I am correct in
saying that more failures arise from those horses whose pedigrees are unknown,
than from any other class.

    97.     The number of pedigreed horses is increasing greatly in the Native
Cavalry; in 1895-96 it only stood at 4.53, last year 17.99 whilst this year 31.74
have been obtained.

    98.     The failure of Imperial Service Troops' Officers to obtain pedigrees is
unaccountable, as I know that many of the purchasing Officers do their best to
obtain them. This year only 0.96 were obtained.