246 POLO IN INDIA. [Chap. IX. 



cost him. If he has two ponies, their stable expenses 

 will amount to about Rs. 50 a month, and he will know 

 that he is spending under Rs. 800 per annum on the 

 game. If he cannot afford this, he cannot play ; but 

 anyhow he will not be liable for more than this sum ; 

 for the club takes all risk, and he has to find no capital 

 for outlay. 



Rich men in a regiment which has a club of this 

 kind can help in a very substantial way, by means of 

 money, and by making no demands on the club for 

 ponies. Every Polo Pony Club should be simply 

 a co-operative society, solely for the benefit of its 

 members. It should be entirely self-supporting, 

 and it should not be considered obligatory on any 

 member of the regiment whether a polo player or 

 not to join it. 



I have heard that in some parts of India, Polo Pony 

 Clubs are forbidden by the authorities, on the ground 

 of running of^cers into extravagance, and of forcing 

 them to pay unnecessary subscriptions. If the above 

 plan were adopted, I do not think that this argument 

 could possibly hold good ; in fact, the tendency would 

 be rather towards economy. 



For the guidance of those who may wish to try this * 

 system, I append the following rules, which can be 

 altered according to circumstances : — 



1. The Committee shall consist of three members 

 of the club, two of whom shall form a quorum. Their 

 decision shall be final on all points. 



2. Entrance fee Rs. 100, and monthly subscription 

 Rs. 10, with an additional Rs. 5 a month for each pony 

 supplied by the club. 



3. All the stable expenses of the ponies to be 



