4
the College openingday anniversary. A very satisfactory indication of appre-
ciation of the College staff by the students has been a decision to present to the
College Library a number of books in commemoration of the satisfaction felt at
Assistant Superintendent Nariman obtaining the degree of M. D. of the local
University. The honour done by His Excellency the Governor in nominating
the Superintendent of the College a Fellow of the University was also received
with lively satisfaction.
8. Experience of the past year tends to support the view previously
expressed that the Matriculation test could best be fixed on as the standard of
general education before admission, and also that as yet veterinary education is
not ripe for such restriction. Although the matriculate has the fairest start and
can best appreciate to the full the course of instruction, there can be no doubt
that a number of the students who have not passed this test have shown much
aptitude for veterinary studies. A small instalment of the first half-year's fees
might in future be required from each candidate for the examination; in this
way those who have no intention of remaining at the College or those who leave
before paying fees will be made to contribute a little to our receipts and not
gratuitously subject our officers to the trouble of examining them.
9. The selection of free students has in the main proved satisfactory, the
results being as in Appendix B.
During the past year a few free students have been elected to fill vacancies.
It would be as well in the future to carry out this object by the appointment of
good students from the year of the original tenant of the free-studentship with a
view to the 15 Government and Municipal studentships falling vacant in the same
year. The policy of giving free-studentships is thoroughly supported by results,
the men holding the best positions on our pass lists being free students in high
proportion : the private paying students have held their own ; some of the State
students have been hampered by deficiency in general education and, especially
at first, by a want of familiar acquaintance with colloquial English.
10. One candidate for employment in the horse-breeding operations and
two salutris have received practical instruction in the Hospital.
In further correspondence with the Commissary General on the subject of
employment of veterinary graduates in the Transport Service I have not made
much ground, as no higher class of men than that at present employed can be
afforded. In accordance with request, I have stated that two men at a time
sent up to learn nursing of sick horses and bullocks by the Transport Branch
can be permitted to pass through a Hospital course. I hope a little good will then
be done, but both in peace and on active service the need of adequate veterinary
attendance for Transport animals is, I am convinced, a most serious cause of
considerable loss to the State.
11. Appendix C is a return of the actual lectures and instructions in the
several classes by the different officers of the College.
In consequence of ill-health of the Superintendent no special course of lec-
tures was delivered this year. The subject selected by me for the winter session,
1888-89, is " the camel in health and disease," a course of six lectures, which
will be open to the public.
12. The vacancy in the College staff created by the resignation by Farrier
Major Stroud of his position as Instructor in practical shoeing has not yet been
filled and has caused me much anxiety and correspondence; the difficulty lies in
securing a suitable farrier without putting Government to extra expense. The
only way to accomplish this is to permit the occupant of the post the privilege
of private shoeing in the College Forge provided it does not interfere with his
official work. This should, prove an adequate source of income, but the old
soldiers from whom we must select one farrier rather fight shy of a post the
guaranteed emoluments of which are but small. This is a difficulty I trust to
overcome, especially if the Military Department will lend us a man for a period
not exceeding one year before his retirement who can thus settle down to his
work and clearly understand the advantages of the post before he is called on to
permanently accept it,