(8)
services of an experienced and practical Australian shepherd well acquainted with
the management of flocks and the correct methods of shearing and the handling
of fleeces, who will be able to impart practical knowledge to the Indian breeders.
Fairs and shows.
See table XIV.
47. I personally attended and judged the cattle and other animals at the
Bulandshahr and Deva cattle shows and Mr. Wilson was present and judged at
the agricultural exhibitions and fairs held at Hardoi and Khairabad.
Maulvi Niaz Muhammad, Deputy Superintendent, attended the fairs and
agricultural exhibitions held at Etawah, Aligarh, Nauchandi and Batesar, where
he also conducted an exhibition of the latest Veterinary instruments and remedies,
and gave magic lantern demonstrations on animal subjects to the cultivators
attending the fairs.
It is somewhat doubtful if the system of distributing money in the form of
prizes for cattle at fairs and shows is productive of as much improvement in the
local stock as would be expected. A scheme is being drawn up with a view to
distributing prizes locally in those areas chiefly where Government stud bulls
are located for the best stock got by them. It is hoped by this means to
encourage the breeder to look ahead and breed up to a higher standard than he
has formerly done.
IV.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
Numbers, supervision and work performed.
See table VII.
48. The strength of the subordinate veterinary establishment as it stood
on 31st March was as follows:—
Veterinary inspectors 17, farm overseers two veterinary assistants employed
by district boards 129, veterinary assistants employed by municipalities 18, and
provincial veterinary assistants (including one at Cawnpore agricultural farm) 11,
in all 177 against 173 last year, making an increase of four only.
49. In view of the scheme for the new settlement of the financial
arrangements of district boards, 30 of these bodies have this year sanctioned an
increase in their subordinate veterinary staff and a demand for 52 extra veterinary
assistants has arisen. Owing, however, to the enormous demand for the services
of these men for the war, it is at present practically impossible to obtain anything
like the number required, and for the same reason the provincial headquarters
veterinary staff is now also 10 officers below its sanctioned strength. It is to be
hoped, however, that on the completion of the war we shall be able to fill some
of the vacancies, although the question of the supply of these assistants for the
future demands consideration.
50. The veterinary inspectors have been busily employed during the year
in checking the work of veterinary assistants conducting inoculation campaigns
and taking other steps to suppress outbreaks, and much of their time has been
spent in inspecting and supervising the work connected with horse, cattle and
sheep breeding and the maintenance and care of Government sires. Cattle
pounds, dairy sheds, &c., have been visited by them and reports on the state of
the working cattle and hackney carriage horses in municipalities have been
furnished. The provincial staff of veterinary assistants has done good work in
relieving district board veterinary assistants proceeding on leave, and in readering
assistance in treatment of cattle disease and inoculation in cases where the local
staff has been inadequate. They also helped considerably in making special
investigations and enquiries regarding diseases, and some have been able to render
good service connected with horse and cattle breeding operations, and in the work
of the laboratory. It has been found that generally the work of these provincial
men is of a more efficient and thorough character than that done by the men
employed by district boards, under whose orders they are. The reason being that
as they are directly under the control and supervision of the Superintendents,
these provincial officers are subject to greater discipline and better training. It is
obviously impossible for a district board to efficiently control officers carrying out
work of a technical nature such as this, and hence their veterinary assistants now
find no difficulty in evading certain duties which they would be unable to if placed
more directly under the control and orders of the Superintendents of the Civil
Veterinary department.