156
Burma.
693. As stated in previous reports, the organization of the Subordinate
Veterinary Establishment in Burma is as perfect as it can be. The whole of it
is under the control of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, who
has full power over the men employed. On this subject that officer states:—
"Last year we had 65 Assistants at work in the Province. One Veterinary Assistant, namely, Maung Ba San'
stationed at Pakokku, died of fever which he contracted while on special duty in the Katha district. Within
two years we have lost two men from Katha fever ; two men had to be removed, otherwise they in all probabi-
lity would have died ; and the present Assistant is none too well. He informed me that he suffers a good deal
from fever, and he certainly looked anæmic, but the man is slack and lazy, and I have reason to think that he
finds fever a useful excuse. I have warned him that, when he is unable to perform his duties, he must obtain a
medical certificate, otherwise I shall have to remove him from the department. I have repeatedly tried to impress
on all Assistants the advisability of obtaining a medical certificate when unfit for duty, but they will not take the
trouble to go to the hospital to obtain one, apparently preferring to take the risk of a heavy fine for neglect of
duty.
"Maung Po Net, who was the Veterinary Assistant stationed at Yandoom, applied for and obtained a month's
privilege leave. He, however, did not rejoin his appointment, and, when applied to for an explanation of his
conduct, after some considerable delay, sent in his resignation. He was removed from the department. I was
sorry to lose this Assistant, as he was a smart young fellow. I imagine, as is the case with many Burmans, he
was bored and wanted a change.
"Maung Tha Dum Aung, who had been unemployed for some time owing to illness contracted in the Ruby
Mines district, was after examination reinstated and posted to Kawkareik. I regret to state he is not doing as
well as I should wish.
"Two instances of Assistants making false entries in their diaries were reported, namely, Maung Po Hmyin,
Minbu, and Maung Po tun, Kyauktan.
"If I could have seen my way to replacing their services, I would have dismissed them forthwith. As it was,
I wrote to the Deputy Commissioners asking them to reprimand the offenders and to fine them heavily.
" The Kyauktan Assistant was fined a month's pay, placed on half pay for two months, and forfeited all bills
for the month in which the offence was committed. The Minbu Assistant was placed on half pay for four
months, and forfeited all allowances for a month. The promotion (that is, increments of pay) will be stopped in
both cases.
" I fear the ordinary Burman does not look upon making false entries in his diary as a very heinous offence ;
constant supervision and this alone will prevent it being done occasionally. A Deputy Commissioner, when writ-
ing to me on the subject, said that 'it speaks well for your men as a whole that this is the first case of this
nature that has come before me.'
" I regret to state that a third case of this offence was reported to me just after the close of the year.
" I must say I am at times quite unable to understand the Burman Veterinary Assistants. It is natural to
think that after attending school, working for, and obtaining Government appointments, that they would set
great value on them, work hard and endeavour in every way to retain them, but this is a great mistake, as the
majority do not from their behaviour seem to place any value on their appointments, and are almost, if not quite,
indifferent as to whether their services are retained or not. They appear to be absolutely devoid of ambition;
an idle life seemingly is best suited to their constitutions. This they are apparently aware of, as, if there is any
possible means of escape from work, they will rarely fail to take advantage of it. Such punishment as fining,
etc., which would cut a native of India to the quick, has little or no effect on the Burmese, who are altogether to
independent, appearing to be able to live well enough without work.
" The present number of Assistants at work in the province is sixty-four, namely:—
Lower Burma
Upper Burma
1st grade . . . . .
2nd grade . . . . .
3rd grade . . . . .
4th grade . . . . .
1st grade . . . . .
2nd grade . . . . .
3rd grade . . . . .
TOTAL .
Nil
11 11
27
1
Nil
24
61
30
25
"The Deputy Commissioners of Myaungmya, Thongwa, Bassein, Henzada and Pegu have expressed a desire
to have additional Assistants posted to their respective districts. I concur in the opinion expressed by these
officers that more men are necessary. I have also been informed that in several districts villagers have come
into head-quarter stations for the express purpose of asking for veterinary assistance. I much regret that at
present no Assistants are available. The department is now 16 below strength, namely, Lower Burma 5 and
Upper Burma 11.
"It is hoped, however, that most of the existing vacancies will be filled up some time next year. When
applying for sanction for 80 Assistants for the Province, I little thought that the Department would prove itself
so useful in such a short time as to render this number inadequate. It is quite evident that more Assistants are
urgently needed, and that the strength of the Department will have to be augmented in the near future. This
being to a very great extent an agricultural country, its prosperity depends almost entirely on the rainfall and
the health of the cattle. I feel sure that the expense of entertainment of extra Veterinary Assistants will be
amply repaid.
"A proposal to increase the strength of the department by 20 or 25 men will be submitted for the very
favorable consideration of the Local Government.
"Beyond the cases of making false entries in diaries already noted, I am pleased to report that the general
conduct of the Assistants have been very good indeed. Several were fined for late submission of diaries, returns,
etc., and a few had to be placed on half pay for periods varying from two to four months for neglect of ordi-
nary duties or for failing to keep up their professional knowledge.
" The system of sending out Veterinary Assistants occasionally with Subdivisional and Township Officers
when on tour has proved satisfactory wherever carried out. I would strongly urge that the system be extended
to every district, and that necessary instructions be issued to all Subdivisional and Township Officers.
"In the Henzada district the Deputy Commissioner makes the Veterinary Assistants accompany the Sub-
divisional and Township Officers whenever possible. This has an excellent effect. It increased the authority of
the Veterinary Assistants.
"Advantage was taken of the opportunity when halting at large villages for the Veterinary Assistant to give
lectures under the auspices of the Subdivisional or Township Officer to the cultivators on the case of farm stock
in health and disease."