105
acquainted with the working of Veterinary Assistants in the districts, that I
look forward with confidence to the results of the changes which have taken
place in the teaching staff of this Institution. In Veterinary Lieutenants Larn-
der and Loughlin we have lost two officers in charge of horse-breeding centres;
this I regret, for these constant changes cannot but prove injurious to the
success of our operations. In Veterinary Lieutenant Loughlin we have lost
the services of an officer whom it will be very difficult to replace; in fact,
I have no hesitation in saying that he is one of the ablest and most hardworking
officer that has ever served under me, and I feel compelled to quote the opinion
expressed by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor on this officer's Annual
Report for 1895-96.
"This is the last report which will be submitted by Veterinary Lieutenant Loughlin, he having resigned
the office of Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, and the Lieutenant-Governor regrets that these
Provinces are losing the services of an officer so thoroughly efficient in the conduct of his duties".
546. Two transfers took place during the year:—
Veterinary Captain Gunn was transferred from Bengal, as Assistant to the Inspector-
General, Civil Veterinary Department.
Veterinary Captain Pease was transferred from Assistant to the Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department, to be Principal, Lahore Veterinary College.
547. On the publication of the rules for the Civil Veterinary Department,
sanctioned by the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for India in June
1895, all officers then serving in the Department were given six months to
decide whether they would join the Department permanently or not, but it was
evident that they were not prepared to accept the rules as they stood. I there-
fore felt it incumbent on me to make further proposals to the Government of
India, which I trust will be accepted and which I trust will have the effect of
inducing officers to join permanently. The whole success of the Depart-
ment rests on this. Success cannot be obtained in horse-breeding centres
if constant changes are taking place; for, however excellent the relieving
officers may be, it takes them at least two years to learn their districts,
and to obtain the confidence of the people. Without a thorough knowledge
of the different classes of mares, it is impossible for the Superintendent
to properly allot the stallions, and without a continuous policy in this
direction, failure must result. The same holds good in dealing with Provinces
interested in cattle; for, in dealing with this most important subject, it is
always found that intimate acquaintance with the people will lead to the
adoption of suppressive measures being adopted by them when contagious
diseases occur, which they would certainly not adopt if they had not confidence
in the Veterinary Officer of their Province.
Employment of
Civil Veterinary
Department Offi-
cers on Military
duties.
548. During the year under review, the question of the employment of
officers of this Department for Military duty was referred to the Government
of India by the Principal Veterinary Officer in India, who asked for a decision
as to the number of veterinary officers of the Civil Veterinary Department that
would be available for duty in the Military Department in the event of serious
war, and also at what period of mobilisation their services would be available;
he further asked for a definition of the term "serious war."
549. The Military Department, in replying to these enquiries, pointed out
that the existing staff of this Department was barely sufficient to carry on the
duties, that the changes of the officers of this Department were large, and that
they could not be withdrawn without detriment to the work of the Department.
It was pointed out also that the reserve for furlough consists of only two
officers. For these reasons it was ruled that no officer could be withdrawn
without crippling this Department, and that no officer should be called for such
duty except in the case of serious war; it was further ruled that it would be
for the Government of India to decide whether the emergency was such as to
justify the demand; and that in no case should any demand upon the
Civil Veterinary Department be entertained, until the resources of the Army
Veterinary Department have been entirely exhausted.
550. I am glad to have had this point definitely settled as, as the matter
stood, this Department was liable to have its officers withdrawn whenever
a frontier expedition of any size, such as that of Chitral, was undertaken.
Resignation of
Clinical Assistant
551. Mr. Bamber, the Clinical Assistant to the Imperial Bacteriologist,
was appointed in April 1893, for a period of 2 years. On the termination of