( 2 )
Commissioner takes this opportunity of reminding them that such buildings
should be constructed on the standard plan, which can be gradually worked up
to, that the Local Bodies are primarily responsible for the cost, and that all
lavish expenditure is to be deprecated.
6. There were 11 stud bulls at work in 1906-07 as compared with 6 in
1905-06. There is, however, much room for improvement, and definite
proposals should be framed as promised in paragraph 14 of the Report for
1904-05. It is however true that the first requisite is to find a proper source
of supply.
7. The proposal mentioned in paragraph 30 of the Report for the
increase of 2 donkey stallions—thus raising the number in the four non-selected
districts to 18—has been sanctioned, and the present deficiency of 8 stallions
should be removed in the present year when the new stallions are received
from Cyprus. The number of mares covered shows a satisfactory increase from
327 to 512, but the demand for more donkey stallions in all districts is very
pressing. The number of horse and pony stallions has remained the same,
but all of these were employed at stud during the year, and 678 mares were
covered as compared with 485 last year.
The average cost of feed of a horse stallion has decreased from
Rs. 325-8-10 to Rs. 319-1-4, but the average cost of a pony stallion has
suddenly gone up from Rs. 226-6-3 in the previous year to Rs. 332-9-4 in the
year under review. The increase which occurs in Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan,
Kurram and Tochi is surprisingly great, and the Superintendent will now be
asked to explain it.
8. The experiment of importing Australian merino rams in Hazara and
the Kurram Agency should be carefully watched, and before any fresh importa-
tions are made it will be advisable to see whether the cross is popular with
breeders and produces the expected improvement in the wool.
9. The combined Horse and Cattle Show at Peshawar in March was
again a success. The quality of the horses exhibited showed considerable
improvement, though there was a slight falling off in the number owing to
unfavourable weather, while the cattle showed a great advance in number
and quality.
The combined Fair for Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan brought out a very
large increase in the number of horses, and the addition of the Cattle Fair has
undoubtedly enhanced its popularity. The Cattle Fair inaugurated at Haripur
in the Hazara District had an excellent start, and should produce good results in
improving the stock in a locality which is most favourable for cattle-breeding.
It is clear from this and previous reports that the interest shown in
veterinary progress by Deputy Commissioners, the opening of Veterinary insti-
tutions, the increase in the subordinate establishment, the action taken to provide
suitable horse and donkey stallions, and the pecuniary assistance given to Local
Bodies for veterinary development have combined to give a great stimulus to
veterinary improvement and have quickened the interest and secured the
co-operation of the people in a matter which is of such practical importance to
them.
10. The subordinate staff as now sanctioned is adequate, but so far out
of the full quota of 20 Veterinary Assistants only 14 have been supplied. The
recruitment of Veterinary Assistants for this Province is a matter of some
difficulty, but the question of raising the pay to a level with the scale of pay
as now revised in the Punjab is under consideration. This difficulty will be
partially solved when the students of this Province now under training in the
Veterinary College, Lahore; have completed their course of studies. The sugges-
tion made in the concluding portion of paragraph 45 is already being given
effect to, and as scholarship-holders qualify and pass out new students are sent
in their place to ensure a regular supply. The Superintendent should, however,
see that the Local Bodies who endow the scholarships have first claim on the
services of the students that pass out, and that the latter are required to