2
685 are reported to have died. In 1914-15, 4217 animals died out of 21,117 inoculated.
Though higher than in last year the proportion of deaths reported among inoculated
cattle is not large. I understand that one great difficulty is that in some cases, some
of the villagers refuse to have their cattle inoculated. The result is that the disease
spreads slowly among the cattle which have not been inoculated and may in time
attack some of those which have been, when the period of immunity secured by
inoculation has expired.
6. The total number of outbreaks in which inoculation was carried out was 466
against 184 in the last year. As desired by the Chief Commissioner in paragraph 4
of the review of last year's report I addressed Deputy Commissioners on the subject
of the improvement in the matter of the reporting of cattle disease. There has been
some improvement, but it is hoped that there will be more.
7. During the year, itinerant assistants visited 6,621 villages and treated 15,543
animals for contagious and 44,213 for non-contagious diseases besides castrating 220
animals. The corresponding figures for the previous year were 7,533, 17,633, 55,494
and 174. The decrease is a matter for regret. At the same time, apart from other
causes to which the Superintendent refers, the work of inoculation during the year
claimed an unusually large share of attention. The necessity of work among villa-
gers is frequently impressed upon Veterinary Assistants.
8. With the opening of the Gauhati Hospital during the year under report the
number of Veterinary Hospitals in the province rose to 3. With reference to para-
graph 5 of the review of the last Veterinary report I beg to state that, as proposed by
me, the Hospital at Silchar has been declared to be an Infirmary under the Cruelty
to Animals Act; all three Hospitals are now Infirmaries under the Act. I have
made suggestions to Deputy Commissioners with a view to the Hospitals being more
fully utilised in connection with cases of cruelty to animals. The question of the
issue of detailed instructions to Magistrates is now under consideration.
9. In connection with the breeding of cattle, Mr. Blackwood's report;
which is now in print is expected shortly to be available. The scheme for
cattle breeding in Manipur was sanctioned as an experimental measure but it could
not be materialized on account of financial stringency. Sheep breeding at the Upper
Shillong farm has been discontinued. If this is taken up again, it will have to be
on new lines.
10. The staff of the Department was increased by the appointment of only 1
newly qualified Assistant, while its strength was reduced by the loss of 3 assistants
of whom 1 resigned and 2 were removed from service. The total strength at the end
of the year was 36 assistants and 3 Inspectors : of these 28 assistants are under Local
Boards, 2 in hill districts, 5 in the reserve and 1 on the staff. As already indicated,
the present difficulty experienced in adding to the staff is likely to become less if
not to disappear.
11. The work of the Department has been, on the whole, satisfactory. Credit
is due to Mr. Harris.
His Inspectors appear to have done well, while he has been able to mention a
number of Assistants for good work.
One of the Assistants, U Kollington has lately had his services placed at the
disposal of the military authorities.
12. A reference is invited to the proposal made by the Political Agent,
Manipur, that Government should permit the Superintendent and his subordinates
to make periodical visits of inspection to the State Dispensary. While I have every
sympathy with the proposal I must point out that, without special facilities for
travelling, a visit to Manipur would mean the expenditure of considerable time. I
hope that it may be possible to arrange for the Superintendent to inspect the Dis-
pensary, but in view of the heavy calls on his time and that of the Inspectors, I
would deprecate the passing of orders that any of them must do so at stated intervals.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
A. R. EDWARDS,
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Assam.