109
628. Although Veterinary-Lieutenant Trydell actually assumed charge of
the duties of Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, on the
forenoon of 1st April, he is shown in charge on 31st March, as his place as first
furlough officer was filled by the appointment of Veterinary-Lieutenant Farmer on
24th March 1898.
629. It will be seen that although there was only one Officer on furlough,
and one on privilege leave, still that it was necessary to have only one Officer
instead of two as sanctioned at the Educational Establishments of Bombay and
Lahore; this is in a measure due to the fact that one of the furlough Officers, when
not actually required, holds charge of the duties of Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, Central Provinces, and it has been deemed more advisable to allow the
Principals of the Bombay and Lahore Veterinary Colleges to work single-handed
than to deprive the Central Provinces of an Officer, as much good work is being
done in those Provinces in starting Dispensaries. There can be but little doubt but
that another furlough or reserve Officer is imperatively called for.
630. We have lost two Officers by resignation, viz :—
Veterinary-Lieutenant Clarke.
Veterinary-Lieutenant Turnbull.
In the latter, the Department has lost an Officer whom it will be hard to
replace; his knowledge of all matters connected with horse-breeding was extensive,
and his tact in dealing with District Officers made him a general favorite, and to
his zeal do I greatly attribute the fact that horse and mule-breeding in the North
Punjab Circle suffered as little as it did during the famine.
631. These constant changes cannot but prove prejudicial to the interests of
the Department, especially is this felt when horse-breeding appointments are con-
cerned, as it takes an Officer at least two years to become acquainted with the
different class of mares in each district. I had hoped to be able to state in this
Administration Report that the rules, under which Officers will be asked to serve,
had received the sanction of the Secretary of State for India, in order to enable me
to consolidate the Department, and to know the Officers on whom I can depend for
continuous service, but as yet I regret to say that such is not the case.
632. The appointment of Assistant Bacteriologist has twice become vacant
during the year under review. Mr. Bamber having resigned, Dr. Stephens, a can-
didate selected by Dr. Lingard, was appointed. He, however, resigned very soon
after joining at the Laboratory; the appointment remained vacant for some time
until it was decided by Government that it should be filled by a Veterinary
Officer. Veterinary-Lieutenant Walker was then posted to Muktesar.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Horse-breeding
in Ajmere.
633. In my last Administration Report, I pointed out that horse-breeding
was not a success in Ajmere-Merwara, and since then, with the sanction of the
Commissioner, the stallion which was stationed at Kekri has been removed to
the Depôt. This was rendered necessary by the fact that scarcely any mares
were covered by him. During the year under report, he stood half the time
at Kekri and half at Deoli with the result that he covered only 4 mares.
634. Whilst, however, horse-breeding in Kekri and Deoli has proved a
failure, it has improved in Ajmere itself, where 40 mares were covered during
the year. This is all the more satisfactory as all mares are carefully inspected by
the Principal of the Rajputana Veterinary School, and are now branded. This
is evidently very essential from the report by the Principal, who states :—
The only reason I can submit for the Government stallion not being more patronized is, that the people in
the district are not sufficiently enlightened to appreciate the advantages to be obtained from breeding good stock.
They put mares to hard work at 2 years of age, and when they are broken down and fit for nothing else, they then
think they will breed from them. I have had to reject several lately in Ajmere which were completely broken
down. One had a bony exostosis round one hock, ringbones on three pasterns, and was suffering at the same time
from Periodic Ophthalmia.
635. On the removal of one of the stallions from Ajmere-Merwara, the
Commissioner expressed a wish that mule-breeding should again be tried, stating
that he was of opinion that the objections which have hitherto existed can now
be removed, and he has further kindly promised to take an active interest in the
development of this industry.