(6)
53. Rupees three hundred and seventy-six were distributed as prizes at
Ballia, Bara Banki, Dehra Dun, Gorakhpur, and Partabgarh.
54. In the past, cattle shows have not on the whole proved successful in
these provinces, and very little improvement in breeds can be traced to them.
The scheme of visiting the breeding tracts themselves and personally awarding
prizes to the best young stock got by Government bulls is now being put into
practice and is hoped will meet with encouragement.
IV.-Subordinate Establishment.
Numbers, supervision, and work performed.
See table VII.
55. The strength of the subordinate veterinary establishment as it stood
on the 31st March was as follows:—Veterinary inspectors 16, farm and depot
overseers 4, veterinary assistants employed in districts 133, veterinary assistants
employed by municipalities 18, veterinary assistant deputed to Military department
16, and veterinary assistants attached to headquarters staff (including one at the
Cawnpore Agricultural farm) 9, or in all 197 against 189 last year, making an
increase of 8.
56. Owing however to many of the veterinary assistants being at present
employed under the Military department it is quite impossible to obtain the
number required, but it is hoped that on demobilization we shall be able to fill up
many of our vacancies.
57. The veterinary inspectors are doing useful work, and have been busily
employed during the year in checking the work of veterinary assistants, conducting
inoculation campaigns, and taking other measures to suppress outbreaks, also in
inspecting and supervising the work connected with horse, cattle, and sheep-
breeding and inspection and care of stud sires. Cattle pounds, dairy sheds, etc.,
have been visited by them. The headquarters staff of veterinary assistants has
done good work in relieving district veterinary assistants proceeding on leave, and
in rendering assistance in treatment of cattle disease and inoculation in cases
where the local staff has been inadequate. The inspectors travelled 15,940 miles
by rail, 23,256 miles by road, and inspected 6,793 villages.
V.—Expenditure of the department.
See table XIV-
A.
58. The cost of the department according to the statement furnished by
the Accountant-General is Rs. 1,59,770 against Rs. 1,57,200, being an increase of
Rs. 2,570.
VI.—General remarks.
59. Notwithstanding such drawbacks as the paucity of officers of the
department, the shortage of fodder as the result of the drought, as well as the
disastrous epidemics of influenza and other diseases which greatly effected the
labour supply, the progress made in nearly every branch of the work of the
department has been considerable. Breeding operations comprising horse, cattle,
and sheep have increased. More hospitals and dispensaries have been established
with a proportionate number of cases treated, and there seems to be a greater
appreciation exhibited by the public for the veterinary help it is receiving.
60. Great inconvenience is still being experienced for want of suitable
office accommodation, and it is hoped before long that the new office and other
necessary buildings proposed to be erected at Badshahbagh will be undertaken.
61. For rendering genuine assistance in inoculation four certificates were
awarded.
62. Mr. Stow has worked assiduously since he took over his new appoint-
ment, and I am indebted to the Deputy Superintendents, M. Niaz Mohammed, and
S. M. Raza Husain, who have also worked with great energy and zeal throughout
the year. The work of the subordinate staff, both clerical and technical, has been
most satisfactory. The head clerk, B. Srish Chandra Bhattachariya, is deserving
of special mention for his work, which yearly becomes more arduous owing to the
expansion of the department.
E. W. OLIVER, M.R.C.V.S., F.Z.S.,
Superintendent.
Civil Veterinary department,
United Provinces.