53

    268.     The class of brood mare exhibited, of which there were 96, was
excellent. They were good roomy mares of large size but the majority were
overtopped not having sufficient bone to carry their own weight. This was still
more evident in the young stock and it was owing to this defect that Major Goad
was unable to purchase more than five head of young stock.

    269.     There can be no doubt that the Norfolk Trotter and Hackney stallion
has increased the size of the brood mares, and that this strain has been continued
too long. I am, therefore, pleased to be able to give the following extract from
the report by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department. When adverting
to the coarseness and want of quality of the young stock at this Show, he states:—

    I anticipate a change for the better in this respect in the course of the next few years as most of the
Norfolk Trotter stallions have this year been removed from the Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, and Saharunpore districts
and Thoroughbred English and Thoroughbred Australian and Arab stallions introduced. The strength of the
respective classes of stallions in these three districts under this new arrangement, is as follows:—

    This arrangement must prove beneficial to these districts where good boned
Thoroughbreds, especially Australians must in time get stock of weight-carrying
powers.

    270.     The mares covered by, and the young stock got by, Provincial stallions
were excellent. I purpose, however, alluding to this separately.

    271.     Twelve remounts were obtained. They were of a good stamp except
that some were deficient in bone.

Conclusion.
N.W.P. Fairs and
Shows.

    272.     This concludes the review of the Horse Fairs and Shows in the North-
Western Provinces during the past year and I think that we may safely say that,
taken as a whole, they have been more successful than was to be anticipated.

    273.     The great scarcity prevalent in these Provinces during 1896-97 com-
pelled many of the breeders to sell their mares, and I greatly feared we would see
a great falling off in this direction, but I am pleased to find that the number of
brood mares has in no way fallen off although there is a slight decline in the
number of branded fillies.

    274.     The fact that large gatherings were discouraged owing to the prevalence
of Bubonic Plague in India, prevented dealers from attending many of the Fairs
as they feared to incur railway expenses and to find that the Show had been
prohibited at the last moment. This combined with the Frontier Operations, which
no doubt accounted for the small attendance of Remount Officers, is responsible
for the smaller number of remounts that were obtained.

Special Judging
Committee.
N.-W. P.

    275. The Special Judging Committee appointed for the North-Western
Provinces, consisted of:—

Silver Medals
awarded for the
best collection of
brood mares and
young stock—
N.W.P. Fairs.

    276.    I am pleased to report that there is increased competition for this
Medal, and that at most of the Shows, really good collections of brood mares and
young stock, the property of one owner, were presented for judging.

    277.     At Aligarh, 14 groups competed. The winner owning 4 branded mares
and 3 head of young stock. Six money prizes were given to other groups.

    At Bulandshahr, 14 groups competed, and so good were they that the Com-
mittee awarded nine money prizes to the unsuccessful competitors.

    At Muzaffarnagar, 6 groups competed, the Medal falling to the owner of 4
branded mares, 1 branded filly, and 2 head of young stock.

    At Meerut (Nauchandi), 19 groups competed. At this Show last year only 8
competed. The winner was awarded the Medal for the excellence of his group
which, although small, consisting of 1 branded mare, 1 branded filly, and 2 head
of young stock, was of marked quality. Six other groups were awarded money
prizes.