204
" We must also bear in mind that as the different branches of the Bengal Civil Veterinary Department
develope (and there is every prospect of their doing so very rapidly indeed), both the Assistant Superintendent
and myself will be more liable to be called away for duty in the districts. Should this happen, I should be
able to find in the lecturers men sufficiently reliable to be trusted to carry on the work at Belgatchia for a few
days.
" Looking at the question from these various points of view, it seems to me that it would pay us over and
over again to procure and retain the services of the best men available, by offering such inducements as they
are likely to accept.
" The lecturers' pay is not enough to permit them to live respectably in Calcutta; besides this, they cannot
find lodgings near Belgatchia, and have to spend money in going to and from the city.
" I have gone fully into this subject in various communications to the Director, and hope a better provision
under this head may be sanctioned. Mr. Fernandes, who was a successful lecturer, left during the year under
review to become a Commissioned Officer in the Colonial Dragoons at Goa, where his pay is much better than
he received here."
797. With these remarks I fully agree. If the present pay is not suffi-
cient to induce the best men to offer themselves as lecturers, then the pay should
be increased. Bengal is very cheaply run, for, in addition to the duties con-
nected with the school, the Principal also performs those pertaining to a
Superintendent of a Province.
Rajputana
Veterinary
School.
798. The school year began on 1st July 1896, when 15 private pupils
entered, against 7 last year. Six State pupils also joined the school. The
increase in the number of private pupils testifies to the popularity of the
school as a centre of instruction, and also to that of the Subordinate Veterinary
staff. The total number of pupils at the beginning of the year was 38.
799. The result of the final examination is most satisfactory. Of 21
students who presented themselves for examination, 18 passed, giving a per-
centage of 88.2 successes, against 81.9 last year. The examiners were:—
Veterinary Captain R. H. Ringe, Superintendent, Civil Veterinary
Department, North-Western Provinces and Oudh.
Veterinary Captain W. D. Gunn, Assistant to the Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department.
The Board expressed themselves very pleased with the students, and in
Veterinary Captain Gunn's report he states:—
" The students were all of a good class, being sharp, active, and intelligent; and from the manner in which
they gave their answers I consider that they have been thoroughly grounded in their work."
I can add my testimony to the above, as I was able to inspect this insti-
tution during the past year, and I was pleased with the workmanlike way in
which the students went about animals; this is the class of men required in
the districts, as they will obtain the confidence of the people more readily.
Not only is the percentage of successes higher than last year, but the
marks gained in each subject are also higher. Of four private pupils who
passed out this year, two have obtained employment in the subordinate staff
of the Civil Veterinary Department—one has been appointed Meat Inspector to
the Ajmere Municipality, and the other has been asked for by the Beawar
Municipality.
800. The shoeing has fallen off slightly, 369 horses having been shod,
against 460 last year: this will be accounted for by the fact that the Nalbund
did not perform his duties satisfactorily; he has, however, been replaced by a
suitable man. In connection with the shoeing forge, a class for the proper
training of Nalbunds is held; ten men went through a six months' course and
are now employed in various States. I consider that these classes will be pro-
ductive of much good.
801. During the year, a new operating shed and other minor works and
improvements have been finished, but the Principal brings to notice the neces-
sity for increased accommodation for the students. On this point he
states :—
" At present, only six quarters are available, consequently a large number of pupils of the senior class, who
are obliged to reside in the boarding-house at a distance from the school, lose many opportunities of seeing
practice amongst out-patients. Owners of this class of patients will not bring their animals at any fixed time
of the day, and, rather than lose time by waiting, they would take them away; hence only those pupils who
live in the school compound have a chance of seeing the cases that attend out of school hours. For this reason,
I would recommend that at least six additional quarters be built as soon as practicable. Plans and estimates for
that number are being prepared, and will be submitted with suggestions regarding the question of necessary
funds at an early date."