52
Rawalpindi, to institute such measures as were likely to eradicate the disease
and to prevent its extension to British territory until it abated. I then returned
to Simla to attend the Railway Conference at which the method of cleansing
horse-boxes and cattle trucks was discussed. The advisability of delegating
the inspection to officers of this Department was also brought before the Con-
ference. Decisions on both these points were arrived at, and I feel that the
result must tend to the diminution of contagious diseases in India.
384. On 20th September I proceeded to Quetta and attended the Horse
Show. I also inspected the arrangements which had been made for the preven-
tion of horses affected with glanders and farcy leaving the Show: these being
necessary owing to the prevalence of glanders at Quetta. I discussed the
question of the Northern Horse Trade with the Agent to the Governor-General.
385. I visited the Bahawalpore State and inspected the Stud and en route
to Hissar I inspected the dispensary at Ferozepore. At Hissar, I went very
carefully into the question of fodder which owing to the drought had become
one of much importance. I came to the conclusion that with the amount of
cultivation which had been undertaken we would be able to maintain the
cattle until the monsoon of 1900.
386. I then visited the Alwar State and inspected the Stud and paddocks.
I was able then to draw the attention of the Political Agent to the fact that
mule-breeding had not extended as much as it might.
387. I then proceeded to Ajmer and inspected the Veterinary School. My
visit enabled me to lay before the Agent to the Governor-General in Rajputana
certain points connected with the financial position of this Institution.
388. At Kapurthala, which State I next visited, I held an inspection of
mares and young stock which was most encouraging. I then proceeded to
Rawalpindi to inspect the stallions before leaving for the districts.
389. I attended the Horse Show at Hansi and the Amritsar Horse Fair. I
then proceeded to Bombay and en route I visited Poona to discuss with the
Director of Land Records and Agriculture the subject of the system of preventive
inoculation for rinderpest; this subject was of much importance at that time
owing to large numbers of cattle being collected at the various Cattle
Camps in Guzerat. I then visited Bombay and interviewed the various Arab
dealers, but finding that the best horses had not arrived, I deferred my pur-
chases for a week.
390. I then proceeded to Madras, at the direction of the Government of
India, to confer with the Commissioner of Revenue Settlement and Director of
the Department of Land Records and Agriculture; at this interview the
following points were discussed :—
(i) Advisability of dispensing with the present Stock Inspectors, the
majority of whom are useless, and the training and appointment
of Veterinary Assistants.
(ii) Advisability of starting a Veterinary College at which Veterinary
Assistants can be trained.
(iii) Advisability of starting dispensaries, none of which exist in the
Presidency.
(iv) The duties of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
(v) Advisability of cancelling the General Order whereby the duties of
the Department are limited to enquiry.
I was able to formulate a scheme which has been submitted for the
consideration of the Government of India and which, if given effect to, would
lead to the more efficient working of the Department in the Presidency.
391. I then proceeded to Calcutta where I was engaged with the Secretary
to the Government of India, Department of Revenue and Agriculture, in the
drawing up a scheme for the future recruitment of officers of the Civil
Veterinary Department. I was also able, in consultation with the Comp-
troller of India Treasuries, to arrange all details for the transfer of the accounts
of the Hissar Farm from the Military to the Civil.