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THE STAFF
163. The Assistant Superintendent.—Mr.
Burke's duties have been well
and zealously performed. He is a successful lecturer, a good anatomist and
operator, and 1 have to thank him for the loyal and constant support he has
afforded me.
164. Lecturers.—It is scarcely necessary to say that the quality of our
graduates will be affected by the quality of the instruction given. A good
Veterinary lecturer should not only possess knowledge, but have the faculty of
imparting it to others in a clear and interesting manner. He should not only
be zealous himself, but able to excite enthusiasm in his pupils. His teaching
should be sound and up to date (which by the way involves a good deal of hard
reading): above all things he must be practical in his methods. Needless to say
such men are not picked up everywhere nor every day.
165. We must also bear in mind that as the different branches of the
Bengal Civil Veterinary Department develop (and there is every prospect of
their doing so very rapidly indeed), both the Assistant Superintendent and
myself will be more liable to be called away for duty in the districts. Should
this happen, I should be able to find in the lecturers, men sufficiently reliable
to be trusted to carry on the work at Belgatchia for a few days.
166. Looking at the question from these various points of view, it seems
to me that it would pay us over and over again to procure and retain the ser-
vices of the best men available, by offering such inducements as they are likely
to accept.
167. The lecturers' pay is not enough to permit them to live respectably
in Calcutta; besides this, they cannot find lodgings near Belgatchia, and have
to spend money in going to and from the city.
168. I have gone fully into this subject in various communications to the
Director, and hope a better provision under this head may bo sanctioned.
Mr. Fernandes, who was a successful lecturer, left during the year under
review to become a Commissioned Officer in the Colonial Dragoons at Goa,
where his pay is much better than he received here.
169. Mr. Shroff has not given satisfaction, and his case is before the
Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Bengal.
170. Mr. Sorabji Kowasji Doctor has been on probation in Lieutenant
Fernandes' place. He appeared to be getting on in Materia Medica, but is on a
month's sick leave on half pay.
171. So long as the lecturers are permitted to supplement their pay by
private practice, they will always be tempted to stay away under various pre-
texts in order to fulfil other engagements.
172. The Overseer.—The Overseer has hitherto been supposed to carry out
a very varied number of duties.
1st.—He is General Manager under the Assistant Superintendent, and
buys everything from horses' forage to shoe iron.
2nd.—He is Hospital Surgeon.
3rd.—He is supposed to instruct in shoeing.
4th.—He is supposed to instruct in practical dispensing.
5th.—He has accounts to submit and records to keep in connection with
his duties.
173. I have undertaken to instruct in shoeing and have detailed the
Lecturer in Materia Medica to teach practical dispensing, but in my opinion
the Overseer's duties should be confined to those of a Hospital Surgeon which, if
properly performed, are sufficiently onerous, as he has to deal with an ever-
changing roster of ignorant private syces, who have to be most carefully
supervised, if the simplest orders are to be carried out.
174. Proposals have been submitted under the head of "Hostel Staff, "
which, if sanctioned by Government, will throw the duties of General Manager
upon other's shoulders.
175. The Clerk.—Owing to the rapid development of the work of the
Department during the year, the duties of the clerk have been double those
performed by his class. He did his best to meet the strain, but this state
of things could not last, and Government has permitted me to have another
clerk, whose pay is fixed at Rs. 25.
176. Office.—A system of book-keeping by double entry has been intro-
duced, and the books are balanced and daily initialled.