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VI.—OFFICE STAFF.
63. Except that a second office Veterinary Assistant was sanctioned, the office
staff remained the same as in the previous year and it was unable to cope with the
increase of work.
The senior clerks undoubtedly worked very hard but the results were not as
good as usual. As Government have recently sanctioned an increase in the staff it
is hoped that the office will now regain its previous efficiency.
Office Veterinary Assistant V. Janakirama Ayyar deserves mention for a good
year's work.
VII.—GENERAL REMARKS.
64. During the absence of the permanent Superintendent on leave the
preparation of the departmental Manual was held in abeyance but it is now in the
press.
65. Leaflet No. 3, being further notes on some common ailments and poisoning
of cattle, was being printed when the year closed.
66. The usual promotion examination for Assistants was held in July 1917,
when 7 men passed out of the 12 who appeared.
67. The class held at the Madras Veterinary College during the summer
vacation of 1917 for compounders in this department attracted 7 students. One left
on the ground of ill-health, while 5 passed and 1 failed in the examination.
68. Government have sanctioned a peon for certain of the touring Assistants of
this department and have ordered that in the case of the others, when the Tahsildar
or Deputy Tahsildar concerned is unable to supply a p3on, the Tahsildar of an
adjoining taluk should send one.
69. During the year the sanction of Government was obtained for revised type-
designs of all the buildings likely to be required in a Veterinary hospital, with
detailed estimates and plans, drawn up by the Sanitary Engineer to Government.
70. Under G.O. No. 2660, Revenue, dated 29th August 1917, Veterinary
Assistants made 275 reports during the year to the Revenue Department for slackness
on the part of village officers in reporting outbreaks of cattle disease. The Touring
Veterinary Assistant, Berhampur, alone had to make fifty complaints.
71. Under the orders of Government a report has been made as to the amount
of superior staff likely to be required for this department in the near future.
A second Superintendent has been sanctioned by the Secretary of State, but as
there is no likelihood of obtaining any such officers until the end of the war, it has
been suggested that the Madras Veterinary College be partially closed down until
then, only taking on sufficient students to supply the number of graduates required
to replace casualties in this department.
It has also been suggested that the students at present at the college be
persuaded to join the Military departments open to them on graduating, as the Army
is apparently badly in need of Veterinary subordinates, and the response made by the
members of this department to the appeal of the Government of India for volunteers
has been extremely disappointing.
72. The Superintendent wishes to place on record his appreciation of the work
of the Deputy Superintendent M.R.Ry. H. C. Sampathu Ayyangar Avargal during
the year.
Having his office in Madras, he has bean called upon, during the absence and
illness of the permanent Superintendent, to do a great deal of extra work, which he
has always done willingly and well.
F. WARE,
Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Dept., Madras.
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