2
that they had to be destroyed. Of the Arabs out of 2,169 that embarked only 14
casualties took place or 0.64 per cent., but it must be borne in mind that the jour-
ney the Arabs undertake from the Persian Gulf is much shorter and attended
with less risks than the Australians have to undergo.
The following Government horse and donkey stallions were landed and
received by this Department for despatch to the depôts—
*
S. S. " Dilwara "—4 English horses,
S. S. "Candia"—4 do.
do.
S. S. "Imperatrix"—32 Cyprian donkeys,
S, S. "Rafaello "—8 Catalonian do.
S. S. "Singapore"—10 do.
do.
S. S. "Candia"—1 Cyprian donkey,
S. S. "Amphitrite"—28 do. donkeys,
making a total of 8 English horse stallions, and of donkeys—61 Cyprian and 18
Catalonian. Besides the abovementioned animals, 27 Arab stallions purchased
in the local market by the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department,
were received and sent upcountry. In all 114 animals passed through our hands
during the year without any accidents. The cost for landing, despatching, keep,
&c, averaged Rs. 13-6-9 per head, as compared with Rs. 20-5-3 in 1897-98 and
Rs. 12-5-10 in 1898-99.
6. The utmost care was practised in the inspection of all shipments of
horses from Australia by myself and the inspecting staff. No disease was
detected, nor were ticks found on any of the horses.
7. I have gone thoroughly into the question of overcrowding, and I am
glad to say, that a decided improvement has taken place in this direction and
in the general comfort of horses while on boardship, and there can be no doubt
that this is in a large measure due to our constant visits to the ships, and the
friendly intercourse which exists between this Department and the different
Agents and Commanders of vessels, who I find are always ready to adopt any
suggestions made by me.
8. Under Government Notifications, General Department, Nos. 5424 and
5424-A.,—the rules and regulations for the City and Island of Bombay and the
Harbour of Bombay, respectively, have been altered to meet the requirements of
Act XIII of 1899.
The rules and regulations relative to the town of Bándra. in the Thána
District, have been revised, but are still before Government.
9. The Live Stock Importation Act IX of 1898 has, under instructions
from the Government of India, been held in abeyance provisionally; the Govern-
ment of Queensland having agreed to take certain precautions against the
possible introduction of the tick pest into this country, and that horses are only
to be shipped to India from the ports of Brisbane, Gladstone, Rockhampton,
Bowen and Townsville, at each of which is stationed a Government Veterinary
Inspector, who is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. A
circular has been issued by this Department, with a copy of the agreement
between the Queensland Government and the Government of India, informing
all firms or persons interested in the horse trade that all shipments of horses
from Queensland on their arrival in Bombay must be covered by a certificate,
bearing the stamp of the port of embarkation, that the horses are free from
ticks, and that should any shipment be without the prescribed certificate or
should ticks be found on any of the horses, arrangements will be made with the
consignees for the segregation of the cargo. This is a wise measure, and one
likely to be productive of good results.
10. Rinderpest and Foot-and-mouth.—From the date on which weekly re-
turns were called for from the Municipality, viz. 9th June 1899, 39 cases of
rinderpest and 448 of foot-and-mouth disease have been reported as existing in
the City of Bombay.
* 10 were despatched, but 2 died on the way.