( 3 )
22. Stipends other than Government stipends.—Besides Government stipends
in Class A, the District Board of Hooghly assisted P. N. Dass, and that of Bogra
assisted R. N. Dass with stipends.
23. In Class B, the District Board of Darjeeling gave stipends of Rs. 10
each to W. Dunne and Runjeet Singh, and Chittagong provided for A. T.
Biswas, while Balasore continued the stipend of R. K. Nundy.
24. All the stipendiaries were successful this year in making a very
different record from the last. Thus:—
William Dunne from Darjeeling gained his certificate with 389 marks out of a
possible 500.
Runjeet Singh from Darjeeling gained his certificate with 335 marks out of a
possible 500.
A. T. Biswas from Chittagong gained his certificate with 284 marks out of a
possible 500.
R. K. Nundy from Balasore gained his certificate with 284 marks out of a possible
500.
P. N. Dass from Hooghly passed into Class B with 388 marks out of a possible
400.
R. N. Dass from Bogra passed into Class B with 268 marks out of a possible 400.
25. The stipendiary (a Muhammadan) sent from Burdwan soon ceased to
attend. It is a pity that the Burdwan Raj, which is kind enough to provide a
stipend for a student, is so frequently unfortunate in its choice.
26. The Sheo Bux Bagla Scholarship.—This prize has been gained by N. N.
Bhattacherji of Jessore, who has passed successfully into Class B.
27. I hope that more District Boards will be able to send stipendiaries to
this school for training during the year 1898-99.
Should they decide to do
so, I would point out that it will save a great deal of trouble, disappointment,
and expense, if the right class of man is selected
I may remark that it is no
use sending a person to the school who, after spending a short but festive time
in Calcutta, will return to his home.
28. Distribution of certificates and prizes.—A new departure, from which I
anticipate good results, was taken this year by the distribution of the certificates
to the successful men by the Hon'ble Mr. C. E. Buckland, c.s., c.i.e., (who,
I am glad to report, has joined the Committee) in the presence of the other
Members and of the staff of the Institution. The interest in the function
was greatly enhanced by a distribution of valuable prizes purchased with
funds privately collected.
The names of the successful men and those of the donors are given in
Appendix X.
THE MUSEUM.
29. I regret to report that the Museum is in much the same condition as
it was last year. A sum of money was budgetted for the purchase of the models
and specimens that are so badly required, but it had to be re-appropriated for
another still more urgent purpose.
I propose to resubmit this item in next
year's budget.
THE INFIRMARY.
30. The total number of in-patients during the year under review was
714 and of out-patients 325, as against 479 and 248 in 1896-97.
31. This gives a total of 1,039 cases treated in 1897-98, or an increase of
312 cases (Appendix XI).
32. The increase is most marked in the cattle in-patient ward, which from
99 in 1896-97 has risen to 223 in 1897-98.
33. The daily average number of in-patients (38) and out-patients (22)
amounted to 60, as opposed to 33 and 19 respectively, amounting to 52 in
1896-97.
34. The death-rate is always high in the Infirmary, partly because some
owners keep their cases back until they are nearly hopeless, and partly on
account of the number of cases of Rinderpest and Glanders which are admitted.
Nevertheless the number of deaths as compared with last year is much smaller,
being 8 per cent. as against 12.30 per cent. in the previous year. The per-
centage of recoveries from Rinderpest, in spite of the disease having appeared
in a severe form, is higher than last year, being about 50 per cent. against 20
B 2