4 No. 2022, REVENUE, 4TH SEPTEMBER 1915,
under review and was destroyed towards the end of it. Ninety-two mares were covered
as against 138 in the previous year, the average number of coverings per stallion
being 31 against 46. The question of the continuance or otherwise of these operations
will be taken up for final consideration on the receipt of the Superintendent's report
on the subject which is shortly due.
8. Breeding bulls.—There were sixteen bulls at work at the commencement of the
year of which two died and one was sold during the year. Nearly 400 coverings are
reported to have been performed by them. No officer has yet been selected for the
post of Deputy Director for stock farms; and, pending his appointment, the Board has
directed that no more breeding bulls should be purchased. In view of the dis-
advantages of the communal grazing system, a report on the practicability of
encouraging the formation of private grazing grounds as a means of improving the
breeds of cattle by keeping them pure was called for by Government. The reports
of Collectors and other officers on the subject have been received and the matter
is now under the consideration of the Board.
9. Cattle shows.—Three shows were held during the year—one at Tiruppur,
which was also a pony show, and the other two at Madura and Ongole. In addition
to these shows, cattle fairs were held in various parts of the Presidency.
10. General—The subject of the prevention of the importation of rinderpest
into this Presidency from the adjoining Native States was investigated by the Board
during the year, and on a consideration of the Board's report on the subject Govern-
ment have decided that a five-year programme of anti-rinderpest measures should
be prepared for the present. The Board has reported to Government that owing to
shortness of staff such a programme cannot be given effect to before the year 1917 and
that the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, will be asked to submit one
early next year for consideration. The construction of the refrigerating chamber at
the Pasteur Institute, Coonoor, referred to in the previous year's report was completed
during the year. The system of utilizing the services of veterinary assistants, where
available, for meat inspection at municipal slaughter-houses introduced last year was
strongly supported by the Sanitary Commissioner to Government, and several munici-
palities, in addition to those mentioned in the last report, have agreed to adopt it. With
a view to enhance the usefulness of veterinary assistants in this branch of their work,
Government have sanctioned the inclusion of "Meat and milk inspection" in the list of
subjects prescribed for the diploma examination of the Madras Veterinary College.
The departmental examination for the promotion of veterinary assistants on reaching
the maximum pay of the third grade produced better results during the year under
review. The proposal to appoint a peon to each touring veterinary assistant has
already been negatived by the Board. It considers that veterinary assistants should
receive help in carrying out their work from the taluk and village officers and that
the attention of Collectors should be invited to paragraph 1 of Board's Standing
Order No. 100 when assistance is not forthcoming in any district.
The Superintendent reports that the map to be appended to this report has not
yet been received from the Survey office. He is requested to arrange for its speedy
submission.
11. The Board records its appreciation of the work done by Messrs. Aitchison
and Ware during the year.
(True Extract.)
T. RAGHAVIAH,
Secretary.
To the Secretary to Government, Revenue Department.
„ Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
„ Principal, Madras Veterinary College.
Copy to the Director of Agriculture.
Appendix.