39
this duty to a Manager. This is the case at the Pavesra stand in the Muttra
district, which is in charge of a Rajah; and referring to this particular stand,
the Superintendent states:—
"The Rajah has been fined several times for careless management, but latterly the work has been carried
out more satisfactorily. The Rajah, of course, does not see to things himself, and his Manager, on one occasion
neglected a horse and sent him to the depôt in very poor condition."
215. Veterinary Lieutenant Loughlin has such an intimate knowledge of
all the Darindahs of these Provinces, that I asked him to submit a return,
before he relinquished office, of all Darindahs, noting carefully those who were
reliable and those who require to be carefully watched; this he did in such a
complete manner that it will prove a most useful guide to his successor Veteri-
nary Captain Ringe, on whom I have impressed the necessity of carrying on
this most important duty in the manner adopted by his predecessor, as I feel
that if this is done, it will prevent the thorough neglect of stallions which was so
noticeable three years ago.
216. Reporting on this system, the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, states:—
"In some instances although the Darindahs have all been recommended by the District Officers, and have
given the required Security of R250, they have been fined for neglecting their stallions. In other cases, the
Darindahs have taken great interest in their work. With few exceptions, the condition of the stallions may be
said to have improved during the year."
217. Although I am pleased to be able to report the better working of the
Darindahs, still I would bring to notice the fact that the improvement in the
condition of the stallions is in a measure due to the greatest interest taken in
the matter by the District Officers who have visited the stands more frequently;
this, no doubt, was due to the Circular issued by the Chief Secretary to Govern-
ment, North-Western Provinces and Oudh, to all Commissioners of Divisions
and District Officers. This Circular was referred to in last year's report, and
I am pleased to be able to record the following opinion expressed by the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department:—
"A large number of officials have visited the stallion stables in the districts during the year, and have
supplied information regarding the condition of the stallions."
218. Veterinary Lieutenant Loughlin specially brought to notice Yakub
Khan, Darindah of Khurja, Bulandshahr district, and the Tehsildar of Chatai,
Muttra district, for the excellent way in which the stallions under their charge
were cared for; and in doing so, made the following remark:—
"This is the largest number of mares branded at any stand in the North-Western Provinces this year. Our
thanks are due to the Tehsildar and his assistants for the valuable aid they have given us in the management
of this stand, and in collecting such a large number of mares for branding."
Castration.
219. The number of colts castrated (Table XIII, page xlviii) during the
past two years, has been as follows:—
North-Western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab .
.
.
.
.
.
.
South Punjab .
.
.
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Bombay .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1895-96.
518
528
572
75
1,688
151
1896-97.
499
264
554
158
1,455
148
220. The falling off of 233 is entirely due to North Punjab, in which
264 less were castrated during the year under review. On this point, the
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, of that Circle states —
"Two hundred and sixty-four colts were castrated by Salutris paid from Imperial Funds, as compared
with 528 last year. There is a general decrease in the number of colts castrated, both by Imperial and District
Board Salutris, partly on account of many colt foals being sent away to get fodder, or sold, but principally,
I suspect, because, the paying of a fee of 8 annas or more varying in certain districts, was discontinued in
Lahore and Sialkot. When the fees were given, Salutris castrated anything indiscriminately, from Ekka
ponies upwards, in order to obtain the fees, now they are not so keen. Every effort has been made to keep
these men up to their work, and I must admit that comparatively few entire colt foals are met with while
on tour."
221. Bombay makes but little progress. One hundred and forty-eight
castrations, including those operated on in the Presidency, and Sind, is a very
small number. If castration were more pushed in Sind, where only 14 colts
were operated on during the year, horse-breeding would greatly improve.
222. Adopting the same system as last year, I now allude to the number
of colts castrated by District Board Salutris (vide Table L, page c), in order to
draw a comparison with the general work done in furthering castration.