Report writing

Forsyth writes that he is awaiting a summons to Edinburgh to complete the annual report of the Crofters' Commission. He states that he will be unable to be in London for the Polo Pony Society Show, but that he hopes to be able to visit Ewart in Penicuik when Ewart returns from London.

Forsyth reports that the other members of the Congested Districts Board are complimentary about Ewart's proposed Report on Ponies, although because parts of it have already appeared in the Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society, they do not wish to publish it. He hopes that the pony 'Atholl' has arrived in South Uist.

Forsyth comments that he has read Ewart's notes and recommendations on ponies with interest. He requests that Ewart add a whole summary of recommendations and notes on the results of crossing experiments, so that the whole report can go to the Secretary directly.

Crichton-Stuart thanks Ewart for the book on the Shetland pony and the report on different wools. He believes the intermediate ram with the dark coloured wool is the type to breed to. He will send Ewart the curly ram along with the other Siberian animals.

Fraser-Tytler writes that it is a shame Ewart will miss meeting Majors McNeill and Schofield to see the ponies being bred in the Highlands and Islands before they write their report. He recommends contacting Lord Lovat for any help he might be able to provide. He wonders if Major McNeill is the old friend of his who used to be in the 16th Lancers.

Cecil makes arrangements to stay with Ewart and reports on his meeting with Schofield and his critique of the latter's report. He suggests that the government funds a horse-breeding scheme, purchase the offspring and encourage landowners to breed army horses from selected native mares.

Schafer writes that they ought to come to a decision about the directorship as soon as possible, and that Ewart was to have written a proposed scheme. He emphasises that the Committee would push for a full time director and doubts if the University would relieve Ewart of his duties sufficiently to allow him to take over the directorship.

Martin invites Ewart to stay with him to make the required alterations to the paper. He reports on the quality of some ponies he has seen.

Heitzel writes from the India Office, Whitehall, to Dunbar to say that he is sending Mr Lingard's main report and two subsequent supplements, which he would like returned when Cossar Ewart has no further use of them.