51
to divide the net increase between the number of stallions present, whether at
the beginning or close of a year, as the average number actually maintained
throughout the year differs from either and also varies with each year. An
average increase per head can be properly shown thus:—
Year.
1894-95 ... ... ...
1895-96 ... ... ...
Difference ...
AVERAGE ANNUAL COST PER HEAD..
Horse and Pony.
Rs.
361
368
+ 6
a.
15
12
12
p.
7
6
11
Donkey.
Rs.
286
292
+ 5
a.
9
5
11
p.
10
3
5
Average.
Rs.
341
348
+ 6
a.
14
1
3
p.
3
3
0
Thus the average increase per head is Rs. 6-3 and not Rs. 3½ as shown by
the Superintendent. The transit and maintenance charges have been shown
separately this year, but no comparison can be made, as similar figures are not
available for previous years. A few points, however, may be noticed. In Gujárát
the cost has gone down both at Deesa and Kaira, but it shows a considerable
rise in Ahmadabad both as regards horses and ponies. In Poona the cost in
the case of the horse shows an increase, but in the case of the pony there is a
fall. In Sholápur the cost of the horse has risen a good deal, while that of the
pony gone down. Sátára shows considerable rise in both. In Sind ponies have
cost more than last year. The difference between the present year's cost of
the horse maintained at Sholápur and that at Sátára is remarkable, also that
for the pony kept at Násik and Poona or Ahmadnagar. In Poona, Násik and
Jacobabad donkies have cost considerably more than last year. Some expla-
nation might have been given by the Superintendent on these points.
Horse and Cattle Shows.
14. The horse and cattle shows held in the Presidency have been noticed
in detail by the Superintendent, but as the report
on each show has been reviewed in this office and
separately submitted to Government, further comments are unnecessary. The
Superintendent's suggestion to empower the Remount Agent to buy young
stock of known pedigree at an earlier age than is now permissible has recently
been negatived by the Director, Army Remount Department. The complaint
about the removal of young mules to the north by Punjábi dealers was long
ago brought to the notice of the Government of India, but they have declined to
make any change in the rule fixing the minimum age for buying them for
Government. In all, Rs. 20,405 were spent on shows, to which Government
contributed Rs. 5,000.
Cost of Department.
15. The total expenditure of the Department amounted to Rs. 69,075,
showing an increase of Rs. 2,218 over last year. The
increase was due mainly to the pay of Veterinary
Lieutenant Larnder, who acted during Veterinary Captain Morgan's absence on
leave, being debited to this Department. Local Funds contributed Rs. 11,527;
Rs. 16,748 were charged to the Imperial revenues, the rest to Provincial.
Cattle-disease.
16. Reports received from the various districts show that contagious and
infectious diseases among cattle were more or less
prevalent in 15 districts of the Presidency. The
Superintendent is apparently right in disbelieving in their total absence from
elsewhere for reasons given, viz. that large tracts could not have been free
throughout the year, and that the dispensary reports bear evidence to their
existence. The total number of attacks reported to the Superintendent amounts
to 18,635, of which 9,998 or 54.3 per cent. proved fatal. Of the total attacked,
17,018 or 91.3 per cent. suffered from rinderpest, the rest being distributed be-
tween anthrax, foot and mouth disease, pleuro-pneumonia, carbon symptomatique
and others. Ahmadnagar suffered most, next came Sátára and next to it
Kánara. Skilled veterinary assistance was applied for from some of the places
B 449—14