2
the examinations and inability to continue their studies. Two from Class B died
of the plague, and 9 from Class C graduated. Thus altogether 19 students left
the College. The changes in the number of students are shown in Appendix C.
Out of the 25 students that joined during the year, 3 are the subjects of
Native States—2 of Cochin and 1 of Gwalior. One student came from Madras
and one from Sind.
Appendix D shows the number of students of different nationalities on the
College rolls at the end of the year. In the fresh entries there are 1 European
or Eurasian, 8 Native Christians, 3 Pársis, 2 Mahomedans and 11 Hindus.
Appendix E shows the number of students attending supported by Native
States, Local Boards, Municipalities, &c. Cochin and Gwalior States and Sholápur
Municipality have this year sent students for the first time. The number of
students that attended under this head was 14, as against 13 in 1895-96 and 16
in 1894-95. Of the 14 students 8 are Hindus, 3 Mahomedans, 1 European or
Eurasian, and 2 Native Christians.
A change has been made in the date of the commencement of the colleg-
iate year, so as to encourage men possessing University qualifications to join.
Formerly the fresh course began with the commencement of the short Session,
i.e., in June. Hereafter it will begin with the commencement of the long Session,
i.e., in November. This date has been made collateral with the date of the
commencement of fresh courses in other Educational Institutions, so that candi-
dates passing the University Examinations will not be required to wait for
admission till 16th June, which kept many good men from joining.
Mr. C. Stephens and Mr. E. Engel, after completing two years' study here,
and Mr. A. Bingham, after graduating, went to England to undergo the usual
course there, and they all returned during the year to Bombay as qualified
members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Employment of Graduates.
4. Out of the 9 men that graduated this year, 8 have obtained employ-
ment. One as Instructor in Shoeing at the College ;
Inspectors under Act XX of 1879 (Glanders and Farcy) in Bombay, each
on a salary of Rs. 50 rising to Rs. 100, with travelling allowances ; one as
Veterinary Officer at Mozambique, under the. Portuguese Government, on
a salary of Rs. 300 ; one under the Ceylon Government, on a salary of
Rs. 150 ; one under the District Local Board of Ratnágiri, on a salary
of Rs. 75 rising to Rs. 125 ; one under the District Local Board of Bel-
gaum, on a salary of Rs. 75 ; one under the Native State of Bagasra in Káthiáwár,
on a salary of Rs. 60; and one has gone into private practice. Messrs. G. and
F. D'Silva, Graduates of last year, have established themselves at Meerut and are,
I understand, doing well.
Besides this, two more openings have been made for the graduates of this
College, and have been filled up by two senior men. One under the Portuguese
Government in India, and one under the Travancore Government, on salaries
of Rs. 150 rising to Rs. 250 respectively. The 4 appointments in Bombay
under Act XX of 1879 (Glanders and Farcy) were also filled up. Demands
for graduates have been received for British East Africa, Indore, Porebundar,
Bansda, and Jodhpur. It is also under the consideration of the District Local
Board of Sátára to entertain the services of a graduate of this College. I
however must mention here that several District Local Boards and Municipal-
ities are without Veterinary Dispensaries, and do not seem to avail themselves of the
veterinary aid offered to them by Government by sending natives to be trained at
this College. It has been for the last two years under contemplation of the
District Local Boards of Sholápur and Broach to establish dispensaries in their
districts, but as yet they have not done so. The Shikárpur Local Board
abolished the itinerating Veterinary Dispensary and dispensed with the services
of the graduate in charge of it. This Local Board has also informed the young
man trained here at their expense that they do not wish to take advantage of
his services, but he has obtained suitable employment elsewhere.
The Military Department have often asked for the services of graduates,
but the salaries offered, from Rs. 20 to Rs. 30 per mensem, are such that they
could not be accepted.