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                                      SUMMARY.

The total number of animals present was 56,466 against 54,648 last year, and the
number competing for prizes was 6,955 against 6,883 in the previous year. It is satis-
factory to note that there was a considerable increase in the number of horse stock (not in-
cluding branded mares), the property of breeders, viz., 15,846 against 14,485.

Most of the fairs are said to have been an improvement on those of last year, and
although at a few of them there was a small decrease in the number of animals, it is
reported that the quality was superior to that of those present in former years.

The slight decrease in numbers at some of the fairs is accounted for by some
unavoidable occurrence, such as bad weather, sickness, or other fairs in the immediate
vicinity, &c.

The fairs held at Meerut (Nauchandi), Dera Ghazi Khan, Shahpur, Sibi, Multan, Quetta,
and Jallalabad are reported to have been very successful indeed, the improvement in the
quality of the stock being very marked, especially at Dera Ghazi Khan and Shahpur.

The number of mules purchased for Government was somewhat in excess of last
year, 195 against 161.

The number of Indian remounts purchased for the army and police is in excess of last
year, and it appears that more might have been secured if purchasers had been present
at all the fairs.

The following is a statement of remounts purchased during the last five years:—

The quality of horses secured is reported to be good, and an improvement on last year.
It may be remarked, with reference to the number of remounts purchased, that a consider-
able number of young stock are secured by dealers from various sources, and afterwards
find their way to Government, and hence it is difficult to justly estimate the numbers pro-
duced in the various districts from what is seen at the fairs.

It has on more than one occasion been noted that branded mares have found their
way into the hands of the remount purchasing officers. It is to be regretted that such
should be the case, as the orders of Government distinctly forbid the purchase of branded
mares, excepting under certain conditions.

It is noted that in several instances remounts purchased were taken away before the
day appointed for judging, and hence no opportunity was given to the reporting officers to
see them, or for the sellers to receive prizes offered for remounts.

The subject of appointing "one and the same committee of selected officers to judge
at all the fairs in the provinces" has already been considered by me, and I have on a
previous occasion suggested its adoption. The Government of India at that period were
of opinion that the time had not yet arrived when this course could be beneficially adopted;
but it will be suggested that the time may have arrived when the matter may be more
favorably considered. The advantage of having one committee for a number of fairs
would be that they would be placed in a position to judge of the relative merits of the
different fairs, and the quality of stock shown at them. It would be necessary to have
men specially selected for their knowledge of all classes of stock, and the services of a
Veterinary Surgeon should be given as well.

The remarks as to the fair at Jhelum having interfered with the Gujrat Fair, show
the advisability of the Civil Veterinary Department being consulted in all cases where
the establishment of a new fair is contemplated.

The new fairs promise sufficient success to warrant their continuance, and notably
that held at Bannu, the attendance of which has risen from 405 last year to ',' 50 this, and
the number of exhibits from 118 to 485. It is reported that this fair is likely to grow con-
siderably and become in the future a great success.

The best thanks of the Civil Veterinary Department are due to district officers attend-
ing horse fairs and shows for the cordial co-operation given by them in furthering horse-
breeding interests in their respective districts.

SIMLA;

The 13th October 1893..

J. H. B. HALLEN,

        Veterinary Lieutenant-Colonel,

Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department.

   G. C. Press, Simla.—No. 4 I. G., C. V. D.- 16-12-93.—27.