9
Physical training.
15. Riding.—For the first time since the opening of the college a riding
class has, through the kindness of His Excellency
Lord Harris, been started. His Excellency was good
enough to place a number of the horses of his body-guard and a native riding mas-
ter at my disposal. Forty lessons were given to the senior class and, when horses
were available, the students of other classes were allowed to go to the riding school.
I take this opportunity of thanking His Excellency Lord Harris for the honour
he has done the College, clearly showing the interest he takes in the practical
advancement of Veterinary science. Riding, I need hardly say, should always
be considered one of the most necessary branches in the education of a graduate,
because of the fact that most of the men who come to the college are not familiar
with horses, and the best way to make a horse's acquaintance is to get on his
back; besides riding tends to give a man confidence in handling animals and
improves him physically. Most of the students took to riding very well and I
found that it made a marked improvement in them. Although it is laid down in
the College curriculum that " each candidate must produce a certificate or give
evidence of ability to ride," this has never been feasible until now, because
arrangements could never be made to form a riding class. As far back as 1887
this subject was brought to notice by the late Mr. Steel, but the scheme pro-
posed by him, viz. to maintain six cast horses always at the college did not com-
mend itself to Government on account of the outlay for keep.
The students were so interested in this new sphere in their education, and
so pleased with the kindly way in which the rough-rider brought them on, that
they voluntarily, with the permission of the Officer Commanding His Excellency
the Governor's body-guard, requested me to present on their behalf to rough-
rider Duffadar Shripatrao Yadav a silver pan-supari case and a testimonial
engrossed on parchment ornamented with the College Arms and framed.
Cricket.—The college cricket club has always had a difficulty in obtaining
sufficient practice owing to a want of a piece of ground near to the college.
The students were always anxious to procure a plot on which to play cricket
or even lawn-tennis, and application was made on several occasions to the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for a grant of a portion of the unused
ground in the college compound, but was refused. The students even tried to
rent a piece of land in the neighbourhood of the college, but the sum demanded
was far more than they could afford to pay. This difficulty has however been now
overcome through the kindness of His Excellency Lord Harris who has granted
the college the use of a plot in the compound of Government House, Parel.
Sports.—The annual sports in connection with the anniversary of the
opening of the college were held, as usual, on the 2nd August.
Museum and Library.
16. Many specimens were added during the year to the museum, a catalo-
gue, the necessity for which was greatly felt, has been
prepared, and I trust will be printed' during the next
official year. Many photographs were taken by me of interesting cases and morbid
specimens which will in time form a valuable collection ; besides, in regard to
morbid specimens, a considerable saving has been effected in the cost of spirit
and glass vessels. Many too were lost, because of the great cost of placing them
in spirits would have entailed. Now all specimens of any value are at once
photographed while they are fresh. I have been using up to date my own apparatus,
but intend submitting an estimate for a camera and enlarging lantern which I
trust will be sanctioned. The library has received many valuable additions in new
and rare works. One feature requiring notice was the purchase of a complete
series of professional journals which largely augments the nucleus in this branch
which the late Mr. Steel left. The Secretary to the Pottinger Memorial Fund
kindly placed at my disposal Rs. 100 for the purchase of books to be placed in
the College library in Mr. Pottinger's name. This is a further valuable addi-
tion to the library.
Government have been good enough to sanction the supply, through the
Secretary of State, of the following journals for the College :—
Lancet, Veterinary Journal, Veterinarian and Journal of Comparative
Pathology and Therapeutics.
B 685—3