( 7 )
He was subsequently temporarily employed by the District Board of
Darbhanga. The Chairman reports that the Veterinary Assistant reported
himself to him on the 25th November 1899 and left the district on the 5th
January 1900. Out of his stay of 44 days, the actual number he worked was
only 17, i.e., from 6th to 22nd December, while the remaining 27 days he
spent at head-quarters or at Pandaul under various frivolous pretexts of
illness, &c. He was supposed to go round the villages in which cattle disease
was prevailing, to diagnose and treat it and to advise the villagers as to the
measures to be taken by them. The manner in which he discharged his duties
was very unsatisfactory. He was considered lazy and inefficient by Mr.
Needhm, who as a member of the District Board, resident at Pandaul,
had several opportunities for seeing his work. From Appendix (XV) it
will be seen that the Veterinary Assistant treated 391 cattle and visited 54
villages. These figures were taken from the very imperfect diaries of the
Veterinary Assistant. This man has been a failure, and will not be employed
in future.
Ranjit Singh—Is employed under the Deputy Commissioner of Darjeeling
and is paid from the Darjeeling Improvement Fund. The Deputy Commis-
sioner reports that he treats cattle disease and looks after the sanitary condi-
tion of the herds in the district, from which milk is supplied to Darjeel-
ing. As cattle disease is of frequent occurrence in the Terai and of not
infrequent occurrence in the hills, his services have been of great value.
The condition of the herds has considerably improved. His work has been
satisfactory. Public opinion about him is favourable. The Veterinary Assist-
ant treated 771 cases, of which 273 were cured, 305 relieved and 193 died,
and visited 24 villages (Appendix XV).
II. A. Stuart—Was employed under the Dibrugarh Local Board from
21st July 1899 to 31st March 1900, to treat cattle disease. The Chairman of
the Local Board reports that so far as cattle disease is concerned, his work was
very satisfactory. Public opinion about him is not known. The Veterinary
Assistant treated 1,000 animals, all of which were cured (Appendix XV).
Surendra Krishna Mitter—Was permanently employed at the Bengal
Veterinary College. But his repeated illness obliged him to resign his post
and seek employment in some healthier place. He was placed in charge of the
Veterinary dispensary at Muzaffarpur, where he worked from 28th September
1899 to 31st March 1900. He gave satisfaction in both his appointments.
Dibakar Dey—Was employed permanently at the Muzaffarpur Veterinary
dispensary, but in consequence of S. K. Mitter's resignation of his post, his
services were transferred to the Bengal Veterinary College. His work was
satisfactory in both places.
Satyendra Kumar Biswas—Was employed at the Bengal Veterinary College
as hospital assistant throughout the year under report. He gave satisfaction
in his work.
VETERINARY DISPENSARIES.
25.Sitamarhi.—The Subdivisional Officer of Sitamarhi reports that the
dispensary has been taken over by the District Board, which, from the
beginning of the year under report, is responsible for the whole of the expendi-
ture. The old system of monthly subscriptions has been replaced by a
system of fees, which does not bring in nearly as much as used to be raised
by subscriptions, and it is not very easy to revert to the old system again for
obvious reasons.
The Veterinary Assistant takes an interest in his work, but has not been
successful in his treatment during the year. The Subdivisional Officer adds
that no great confidence is felt in him. It will be seen from Appendix (XVII)
that Rs. 1,555-6-9 were the total receipts, of which Rs. 1,369 were expended,
leaving a balance of Rs. 186-6-9. Appendices (XV) and (XVI) show that
the total number of cases treated by the Veterinary Assistant at the dispensary
and in the mufassal was 332 against 343 last year. The Subdivisional Officer
forwards another statement (Appendix XVIII) showing the number of animals
sent to the Dispensary for treatment by Europeans, well-to-do natives and
raiyats. The number belonging to the latter class is small, and most of these