6
45. The Veterinary Inspector of the range concerned brings to notice a serious
state of affairs in Tuticorin. It is said that since the abolition of the Cattle Quaran-
tine Depot, which was previously maintained there by this department, a great deal
of cruelty is being perpetrated while loading cattle and sheep for Colombo. The
local Chamber of Commerce is said to have asked for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act to be enforced, but it is difficult to administer this while no veterinary
infirmary exists in the town.
46. Municipal—During the year twelve more municipal councils adopted the
by-laws proposed by this department, under which the owners of animals are respon-
sible for reporting deaths amongst them, making a total of 84 up to the end of
March 1923.
47. As regards meat inspection the unions of Ranipet and Srivilliputtur are
now employing Veterinary Assistants of this department for this work, but it has
been removed from the Veterinary Assistants in the towns of Palghat, Hospet and
Nuzvid. Thus, at present, there are only nineteen towns in the Presidency where the
meat inspection is being done by a member of the veterinary profession.
No municipality, other than Ootacamund, appears to be employing a whole-time
veterinary officer.
48. Fairs and shows.—The usual cattle and pony show was held at Tiruppur
in June 1922. The question of reviving the Ongole Cattle Show was discussed during
the year, but received little support. The Madras Cattle Diseases Act was put in
force at all the important cattle fairs and in the Nilgiri district throughout the year.
49. Pony breeding.—No particular help is now given by Government to this
industry in this Presidency, so it is interesting to hear from the Veterinary Inspec-
tor, Ramnad Range, A. Ramachandra Ayyar, that there are two areas within his range,
viz., on Rameswaram Island in Ramnad district and near Tiruchendur in Tinne-
velly district, where hardy races of ponies live and multiply in a semi-wild state.
He states with regard to the former race that they are traceable to some ponies which
were brought from the Palnis about one hundred years ago. Periodically some are
caught and sold to buyers from the surrounding districts, where they are much
sought after for their hardihood and fleetness.
V.—EXPENDITURE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
50. The total expenditure of the department, excluding the Madras Veterinary
College, rose from Rs. 2,86,979-14-2 to Rs. 4,32,801-12-11 during the year. The
chief cause of increase was the provincialization from 1st April 1922 of all
veterinary institutions previously managed by local bodies.
VI.—OFFICE STAFF.
51. There was no change in the staff of the administrative offices during the
year. The discontent amongst the clerks in the head office still exists and must lead
to loss of efficiency.
VII.—GENERAL REMARKS.
52. Civil Veterinary Department Leaflet No. 6 on anthrax was printed and
distributed during the year.
53. The first post-graduate " Refresher " course for the staff of this department
was held at the Madias Veterinary College for six months from the 1st July 1922.
Six Veterinary Inspectors were deputed to it and five of them, viz., G. Krishnaswami
Mudaliyar, C. Suryanarayanamurthi, A. L. N. Somayajulu, K. S. Natesa Ayyar and
T. S. Alagappa Pillai successfully passed the examination held at the end of it.
The subjects of the examination were:—
(a) Pathology and bacteriology.