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VI.—GENERAL REMARKS.
59. The work of the department performed during the year is on
whole very satisfactory. Every effort is being made to render the dep
ment directly and practically useful to the agricultural community
from the testimony of the people, the stock owners themselves, it is obv
that their confidence is being gradually won. One of the satisfacy
features of this year's report has been a considerable decrease in
mortality from cattle diseases. This must, of course, bo a great means
be attributed to favourable climatic conditions. More hospitals and
pensaries have been established and the increase in the number of
treated at these institutions bears a sinking proof of their popularity.
60. As pointed in paragraph 56 of the last year's annual report on
subject of the present unsatisfactory system of reporting outbreaks
patwaris, the matter has been taken into hand, and it is hoped t ha-
satisfactory procedure will be introduced shortly. I may quote, for
information of Government, an instance, in which reports of outbrea
were sent to the veterinary assistant surgeons after 29 and 76 days af,
the first date of occurrence.
61. The question of fixing the number of veterinary assistant surgee
in a district having not yet been decided by the Government, certa
district boards in spite of my repeated protests and without awaiting Gover
ment orders, have reduced the number of veterinary assistant surgeons
want of funds, and these unfortunate men have been without any pay
months. It is hoped that Government will now expedite their decision
an early date so that the question may be settled once for all.
62. Taking into consideration, the importance of cattle in an agrier,
tural province like the United Provinces, every effort should be made
the boards to provide funds for this purpose and not to reduce the number
of veterinary assistant surgeons already employed. It is presumed the
district boards realize that they have now undertaken to a great extent the
duties and burdens previously imposed on the Local Government and t he-
the welfare of the cultivators is a very urgent duty. These cultivaton
form by far the major portion of the population and contribute a gre
share to the district board's revenue and for this reason their intcres
should be well protected and cattle are so essential to them.
63. If district boards would realize the importance of veterinary won
and increase their veterinary staff according to the population of the agr
cultural stock and area of the districts—400 square miles per veterinar
assistant surgeon—we should not find ourselves in the lameutable position
of having thereby 30 graduates remaining unemployed.
64. One sanad was awarded for rendering genuine assistance and
furthering the work of inoculation,
65. I should like to bring to the notice of Government the great help
rendered by the following gentlemen to this department in the reccnt
severe outbreaks of contagious diseases in the Cawnpore district :—
1. Rai Sahib Pandit Sheo Kumar, Chairman of Education Committee
of the Cawnpore district board.
2. Thakur Mukand Singh, Chairman of Tahsil Committee of Ghatampur
pur.
3. Sheikh Snjjad Husain, a zamindar of Bara Akarpur.