( 2 )
17,645, respectively, as against 301 and 16,456 in the previous year. The
increase in the number of deaths recorded is due more to these inspections
than to any actual increase in the number of outbreaks over that of previous
years; but in many districts there is still a tendency to underestimate.
Outside Calcutta and the suburbs 12,549 cattle were protected against rinder-
pest by serum inoculation as compared with 11,659 in the previous year.
Of these, only 93 animals died after inoculation. The number of inoculations
would have been larger if the work had not been interrupted by the stoppage
of the supply of serum from Mukteswar between September and December
1909. The question of arranging for a more convenient source of supply of
serum is under consideration.
9. Veterinary Dispensaries.—No new dispensary was opened during the
year. There were 27 dispensaries at the close of the previous year, of which
one at Jessore was closed as the veterinary assistant was unable to undertake its
supervision in addition to his district work. There has again been a consider-
able falling off in the number of patients admitted to the dispensaries during
the year under report. It is reported that the actual decrease was not nearly
so great as the figures indicate, for a more accurate system of recording cases
to a great extent explains the low figure of this year. But when all allowance
has been made it is clear that local residents do not sufficiently appreciate the
benefits afforded by the veterinary dispensaries, or support them as they ought.
10. Breeding Operations.—The Siripur Farm supplies bulls for breeding
purposes to the tenants of the Hathwa Raj at various centres within the estate
with encouraging results. During the year a herd of desi cattle consisting
of 45 cows, 43 young stock and 4 bulls was made over to this department
by the Inspector-General of Agriculture, India. These cattle have been sent
to the Bettiah Estate where they will form the nucleus of a cattle farm on lines
similar to those followed in the Siripur Farm. The herd of Siri cattle at
Kalimpong now numbers 15 cows and one bull.
11. General.—The
subordinate inspecting staff for mufassal work
consists of five inspectors, who are in charge of the five circles into which the
province has been divided. There are 62 (22 stationary and 40 itinerant)
veterinary assistants in the province, and for the inspection of their work
and other duties the staff of inspectors requires to be strengthened.
12. Since the close of the year, the scheme for the reorganisation of
the subordinate service has been sanctioned so far as the veterinary assistants
are concerned. Under it, the prospects open to these officers will be improved.
Recruits will in future be appointed as members of a provincial service,
which will be subject to the ordinary rules governing leave and pension
applicable to Government servants of similar standing. It is hoped that even-
tually the province will be equipped with one itinerant veterinary assistant in
each subdivision and one veterinary dispensary at each district and subdivisional
head-quarters. Local bodies have been asked to consider their ability to work
up gradually to this scale which is by no means in excess of the real require-
ments of the province.
13. The Lieutenant-Governor desires to acknowledge his appreciation of
the services of Colonel Raymond, the Principal of the College, who has con-
tinued to further the veterinary work of the province with his accustomed tact
and ability and of Mr. Quiulan, the Superintendent of the Department, for the
manner in which he has carried out his duties. He endorses the opinion
expressed by these officers regarding their subordinates.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
W. R. GOURLAY,
Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.
No. 1404 T.—R.
COPY forwarded to the Secretary to the Board of Revenue, Land Revenue
Department, for the information of the Board and for the favour of communica-
tion to the Director of Agriculture.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
H. A. F. LINDSAY,
Under-Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.
DARJEELING,
The 8th September 1910.
B. S. Press—16-9-1910-20390- 839-4. F. E.