2
any of the institutions which had applied for recognition (ours among the
number). In the absence of official notification of this fact I am compelled
to draw the conclusion from the published reports of the debate on the subject
that this decision has been based on the two grounds: first, a fear lest Graduates
of colleges other than those of Great Britain should cut out the latter by prac-
tising in Great Britain ; second, alleged insufficiency of Maticulation tests in the
Colonial and Foreign institutions. As it is evident the latter could have been
met by imposing on candidates a general educational test of the required severity,
or by accepting, say, only those who had matriculated at a University and so
passed a stiffer entrance test than that of the Royal College of Veterinary
Surgeons, it is evident that the first ground was the main one. It evinces a
narrow-mindedness and want of confidence in the efficiency of its own Graduates,
which shows clearly the necessity for a thorough overhauling of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surgeons such as a large number of its leading Graduates
are now loudly crying out for. I trust our College will benefit by the anticipated
reform ; unless it does, the necessity for a higher qualification in Veterinary
Science than that of Graduate of the Bombay Veterinary College will in due
course be felt here and have to be met locally. It is noteworthy that in the past
year veterinary subjects have for the first time obtained a footing in the Bombay
University as a branch of work for the new diploma of Agriculture.
The Government and Municipality Free Students are dealt with in Appendix
C. It will be observed that the proportion of the men originally admitted as
free students who graduated was 6 out of 15, showing that some three-fifths
of the number failed at one or more examinations or left the College. New
rules concerning free students were brought to bear after submission to Govern-
ment for approval, which was granted. They were directed specially to the
prompt filling of any vacancies which may occur.
The Native State and Provinces' Students are less numerous than last year.
The causes of this are the same, in the main, as influenced the total number of
students : thus six graduated (from the Central Provinces two, Berárs one,
Baroda two, Madras one), and the Porbandar State withdrew its scholarship.
There were two students admitted under this heading.
It is highly gratifying that in the current year students have been admitted
from Sind. This is an outcome of the action taken by Government, as shown in
its Resolution, Revenue Department, No. 5607, dated 3rd August 1889. (See
Appendix D. for Return of Native States' and Provinces' Students).
The conditions of Sind are very special as regards veterinary matters, but
the important field which it presents for horse-breeding and which has under-
gone remarkable extension lately, the proposed improvement of its flocks, and
. the undoubted value of its race of cattle render the veterinary development of
Sind a matter of special interest at present and certainly of great importance as
regards the future.
4. Progress of the College is so intimately connected with employment of
Graduates that we must dwell a little on this matter. I found that there was
at first much difficulty in placing these men, because many valued their services
too highly ; some (especially Pársis) were hampered by family ties in Bombay
and could not take appointments up-country ; others exhibited a want of enter-
prize and of knowledge as to what sort of posts a veterinarian was fitted for ;
again applicants frequently thought they would get a man of the Salutri stamp
on Rs. 15 per mensem—an article we do not supply. These difficulties are now
to an extent tided over. At the time of writing this report I find that of the
25 men who in 1889 obtained their diplomas 2 remain unemployed, and of them
each has been offered employment ; but one is so much over-impressed with his own
worth that he refused an offer of some Rs. 75 to increase to Rs. 120 made him by
the Bombay Tramway Company (Limited), and the other is, on account of defi-
ciency in physique and his having passed out last on the list, especially difficult
to "place." Appendix E. will show the nature of employment obtained, of
salaries, and official designations. It will be observed that there are 12 in the
employ of Government, directly or indirectly, 5 serving in Native States, 3 in
private practice, 3 in Municipal employ, and 2 unemployed.