45

number sold, viz., 5 for Native Cavalry, 3 for Police. The highest price being Rs. 350, the lowest
Rs. 129."

The average price paid by the Deoli and Erinpura Irregular Force, for the
5 remounts purchased, was Rs. 249. He further adds:—

" An officer of the Army Remount Department attended the fair for the purpose of purchas-
ing young stock likely to develop into horses suitable for British Cavalry remounts, but did
not, I was informed, succeed in finding any suitable animals of this class,

" On the whole, I consider that the fair this year was better than last. There were a great
number of horses suitable for remounts, and a decided improvement in the quality of those exhibit-
ed ; this fact was no doubt attributable to the increase in the prize money offered by the District
Board. There was not a single mule in the fair, though many of the mares were eminently suit-
able for breeding that useful hybrid."

180. In the last Annual Administration Report of this Department, I inti-
mated that it was contemplated to send a stallion to Ajmere. This has been done,
and on the strong recommendation of the Agent to the Governor-General, Rajpu-
tana, the branding of mares served by the Government stallion has been post-
poned for two years. A pony stallion has also been purchased by the Beawar
Municipality.

                                              TIRHOOT.

Sonepore
Horse Fair.

181. This fair was held from 6th to 20th November 1894, and as far as num-
bers were concerned, was an improvement on that held last year. The figures,
however, are not reliable; they are obtained from the Police Report, but the
arrangements for collection of statistics are not such as ensure accuracy.

182. Last year 6,625 horses were reported to be present whilst 9,295 are
shewn this year. Of these, more than half are said to have been under 14 hands ;
of these latter, many are reported by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary De-
partment, Bengal, as being good, sturdy ponies, and this officer suggests that
a good pony stallion should be located in Arrah, Sarun and Chumparun; he
considers that the experiment would prove to be successful, as good oats are
grown in these districts which are fairly dry and in every way suitable for
breeding small animals. He is further of opinion that as there are a number
of small mares, good serviceable animals would result. I have referred the
matter to the Government of Bengal, who are causing enquiries to be made
into the matter.

183. This officer is of opinion that no prizes should be offered for horses
and on this point reports as follows :—

" Each year there has been a diminution in the number of competitors and some considerable
difficulty has been experienced in getting the dealers to bring their horses before the Judging
Committee. It seems to be a matter of indifference to them whether they show their horses or
not.      *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *

" I would therefore ask that the contributions given by the Government of India and the
District Board of Sarun for prizes for horses be discontinued, and that part of the sum thereby
saved should be diverted to giving prizes for cattle; and that, as a start, the sum to be so spent
should not exceed Rs. 250, half each to be given by Government and the District Board In sup-
port of the discontinuance of this sum for horse prizes it may be stated that it is only the dealers
and not the breeders who benefit, and this is not in accordance with the object of the money
prizes.

" On the other hand, Behar is a large cattle breeding centre, and the encouragement to breed
good cattle should be stimulated as much as possible. This district is capable of producing very
fine cattle if the services of good sires were used."

184. I am fully of opinion that giving prizes at a dealer's fair, such as Sone-
pore is, is simply wasting money. I shall therefore recommend that any al-
lotment for prizes from Imperial funds should be discontinued I regret I
cannot recommend giving prizes for cattle; this must be done by the District
Board.

185. Taking into consideration the great number of horses present very
few remounts were obtainable. The following were purchased :—

The average price paid for remounts of Native Cavalry was very high be
ing, respectively, Rs. 313 and 283 for each regiment above noted.