7

The decrease is very noticeable in Bengal; the number bought in that
Presidency being 1,674 against 1,972 last year. This decrease is due to two
causes:—

(i) The fewer number of young stock required by the Army Remount
Department, to complete their establishment. Having attended all the larger
Shows at which they were purchased, it must be noted that many more could
have been obtained had they been required. On this point the Superintendent,
Civil Veterinary Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, when
reporting on the Nauchandi Fair held at Meerut, states:—

"The Remount Officer purchased 14 for British Cavalry and could have obtained 40 or 50
more had he required them, but he could not buy more owing to his having already got over his
number."

This remarks also applies to other Shows.

(ii) To the large purchases made by the Native Cavalry of Australians in
the Calcutta market. The returns received in this Office only show the country-
breds purchased, but it is presumed that such Regiments that bought but few
remounts of this class must have made up their numbers by the purchase of
Australians. Amongst others might be mentioned the following Regiments:—

The average number of remounts required by a Native Cavalry Regiment
being 60, it is thought that the balance must have been made up with Austra-
lians.

It is scarcely within the province of this Department to remark on the
advisability of increasing the number of Australians in the ranks of the Native
Cavalry, but as affecting the purchase of country-breds and thereby affecting
the welfare of the breeders, it may be remarked that, in my opinion, the
Australian, in addition to costing much more than the country-bred, will not
have the powers of endurance of the latter; especially, when on service, he
will be called upon to withstand the hardships of a campaign on short rations
and especially on scanty fodder.

19. In last year's Administration Report of this Department it was noted
that but little attention was paid to the most important subject of obtaining the
pedigrees of Remounts bought. Instead of any improvement being noticeable,
there is a decided falling off in this direction. By the following Statement
it will be seen that the Native Cavalry only obtained 3.73 per cent. of the
pedigrees of horses bought. The Army Remount Department furnished 60.37
per cent. which is most satisfactory, and even the Punjab Police obtained 36
per cent:—

               Abstract showing the total number and Pedigrees of County-bred Remounts
                    purchased by Native Cavalry Regiments, &c., during the year 1894-95.