38
check was being discussed, the Director of Land Records and Agriculture,
Punjab, showed how trifling would be the work thrown on the Patwaris; he
showed that the highest average in any district is in Dera Ghazi Khan, where
the Patwari would have six mares on his register; in extreme cases, a
Patwari might have twenty mares. There is therefore but little excuse for
the incorrect way in which this duty is performed.
208. In the North-Western Provinces, returns were, during 1895-96,
received from only seven districts, but, during the year under review, returns
were received from 34 districts. It is disappointing to find that the Superin-
tendent reports as follows on the system:—
"Patwaris' returns were of little value, as the information in generally incomplete."
In these Provinces, the Superintendent is able to carefully check the
returns as his Office Establishment is so much larger than that of the Punjab
Offices. The attention of the Local Government will be drawn to the Superin-
tendent's report on this subject, and they will be asked to suggest some
method by which more complete information can be ensured.
209. The Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab,
in his report, does not allude to this form of check, and although he does not
state his reasons for not doing so, I am quite aware that it is owing to the
fact that his Office Establishment is inadequate to cope with the work. This
question will be referred to the Local Government.
210. The check by Patwari's Returns, which it was expected would prove
of value, have been rendered valueless in the South Punjab, owing to the
fact that they have had to be left unchecked for want of sufficient Office
Establishment; this is to be regretted. The Punjab Government has refused
more assistance, but the question must be re-opened.
211. The number of mares shown as not held in the North-Western
Provinces is 2,116 against 1,249 last year; this enormous increase must, I think,
be accounted for, partly by the fact that the owners of many mares had to
send them out of their districts to better grazing grounds, and the results
of the previous year's coverings were in many instances guessed at by the
zilladars.
212. The large number of results shown as "not known"—579 against
392—was no doubt due to the transfer of mares from one district to another;
and, although the zilladars must be held blameless for this, still, it adds greatly
to the unreliability of statistics, which, however, cannot be avoided under the
peculiar circumstances prevailing during the past year.
213. The utmost supervision has been exercised during the year over the
Zilladar Establishment by the various Superintendents, and I am able to see
more careful working; still, there is great room for improvement.
Zilladars have been proved to have been guilty of neglect in 18 cases
which were dealt with as follows:—
North-western Provinces and Oudh
North Punjab . . .
South Punjab
.
.
.
.
Baluchistan
. . . .
TOTAL
Warned.
5
1
1
2
9
Fined.
3
2
1
2
8
Dismissed
...
1
...
...
1
TOTAL.
8
4
2
4
18
As only 8 Zilladars were fined during the year, against 17 last year the
cases of neglect have been of a more trifling nature than hitherto.
Darindah sys-
tem in North-
western Pro-
vinces.
214. The vigilance displayed by Veterinary Lieutenant Loughlin in the
supervision of the Darindahs of these Provinces, as well as in the appointment
of none but reliable men, has had an excellent effect. The majority of stallions
returned to the depôt at the end of the covering season in very good condition
It is only to be expected that with nearly 70 Darindahs, there must be some
who will neglect the horses in their charge; this arises from two causes, one
being the wish to make money out of the stallions, the other being due to the
fact that the Darindah of the stand does not look after it himself, but entrust