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possibility of officers in charge of thanas sending information to him direct.
There appear to be practical difficulties in the way, and the subject is reported
to be under the consideration of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture,
but the Lieutenant-Governor does not consider there should be undue delay in
communicating information through the District Officers, were the matter
treated with the urgency it deserves.
6. Experiments on the subject of Dr. Koch's system of inoculation against
rinderpest.—Captain Raymond has given a full and detailed account of the
experiments undertaken by him in the demonstration of Dr. Koch's system
of inoculation against rinderpest. The value of the results achieved has
already been recognised, and the Lieutenant-Governor desires to thank
Mr. Toomey, of the Kanti Factory, Muzaffarpur, for the valuable assistance
rendered by him to the Veterinary Department in the matter.
7.
Cattle Fairs and Shows.—Captain Raymond was unfortunately
prevented by the stress of his other duties from visiting all the important cattle
fairs held during the year. The Lieutenant-Governor recognises that this
was unavoidable, though in view of the influence of these gatherings in the
spread of epizootic disease, it was to be regretted.
8. Horse, Mule and Cattle Breeding.—At the request of Sir Alexander
Mackenzie, Captain Raymond was requested to make special enquiries into
the possibility of improving the breed of the ordinary country pony. These
enquiries are said to be in progress, but the whole subject of horse-breeding
in the province has fallen behind, and its revival will be a matter of time
and difficulty. The attempt to introduce mule-breeding into Shahabad has
not so far met with much success. Babu Hardhyan Sing, Vice-Chairman of
the Buxar Municipality, is reported to have offered assistance, but the arrange-
ments do not seem to have worked altogether smoothly.
In the matter of cattle-breeding, the Lieutenant-Governor regrets to
observe the statement by Captain Raymond that further experience tends
to confirm his previously expressed opinion that the breed of cattle is
degenerating. The experiment of sending bulls from Tirhut to the lower
districts of Bengal has not proved a success, and a falling off in the Hissar
bulls imported for use in Tirhut is also reported. It is now suggested that
Bengal should undertake the breeding of bulls to meet her own requirements,
and the old Pusa Stud Farm in the Darbhanga district is mentioned as a likely
locality for the purpose. The detailed proposals are still under the considera-
tion of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, and have not as yet
been submitted to Government.
9. Financial and General.—The expenditure of the Civil Veterinary
Department during the financial year amounted to Rs. 45,096, and receipts from
fees to Rs. 4,988.
Captain Raymond was on tour for a period of 171 days, and to meet the
difficulties involved in carrying on much of his work during his absence from
Calcutta, a proposal has recently been submitted to the Government of India
for the appointment of a Personal Assistant to him.
The Lieutenant-Governor desires to express his thanks to Captain
Raymond for the zealous energy he has brought to bear in the discharge of
his duties and for the excellent results attained. All round there has been
advance. The students of the Veterinary College are better taught ; qualified
practitioners are being turned out in increasing numbers ; employment is ready
for them as fast as they are ready for employment ; progress is being made in
the diagnosis and treatment of disease ; and support and encouragement are
being received on all sides to the work of the Department. Thanks are also
due to Mr. Lyon for his supervision of the Department as Director of
Land Records and Agriculture, and to the Committee of Management of the
Bengal Veterinary Institution.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
M. FINUCANE,
Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal
T. H. G. & E. J. H.—Reg. No. 4135C-600-18-10-98.