12
Equipment of Veterin-
ary Assistants.
" The equipment of Veterinary Hospitals and itinerating men is proceed-"
" ing fairly satisfactorily. It requires a lot of attention to "
" detail, but the matter is being dealt with in a systematic "
" manner, and I hope the work will soon run smoothly. In this connection also "
" the help of an inspecting staff will be most advantageous. In the majority of "
" cases. District Boards have met my proposals for a fixed allotment for equip-"
" ment, but some have been unable to do so for want of funds. I have not yet"
" been able to make a satisfactory arrangement for the transport of medicines "
" and instruments in the districts, but the matter is now under the consideration "
" of Government in connection with the travelling allowances of Veterinary "
" Assistants."
Temporary
Veterinary
Dispensary at Delhi Dar-
bár.
"A temporary Veterinary Dispensary was established at the Delhi Corona-"
" tion Darbár from December 15th to January 15th on"
" a site allotted for the purpose by the Central Cemmittee."
" Sixteen in-patients and 617 out-patients were treated dur-"
" ing that period. Rs. 500 were sanctioned for instru-"
"ments and medicines for this dispensary, and, out of this, a sum of Rs. 225-6-6 was "
" recovered by sale of instruments and unexpended drugs to District Boards, and "
" credited to Government. A further sum of Rs. 54-5-6 is still owing and will "
" be credited to Government on receipt. In addition, a sum of Rs. 300 was "
" provided for chappars and miscellaneous charges, out of which Rs. 33-7-10 were "
" spent. The total cost of this dispensary to the Provincial Government there-"
" fore was Rs. 253-12-4. A temporary chappar was erected for in-patients and "
" paid for by the Central Committee."
I entirely approve of the touring scheme proposed by the Superinten-
dent, Provincial Circle. The Veterinary Assistants will do much more good
by visiting the larger villages and staying a few days in each, than by flying
round their subdivisions. The question of travelling allowance, is now, I trust,
on a satisfactory basis, a fixed monthly allowance of Rs. 10 having just been sanc-
tioned for each itinerating man. This sum is to cover expenses of transport of
medicines.
VI.—SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
" The strength as it stood on 31st March 1903 is shown in Provincial "
" Table O."
" Eight men have been handed over to the North-West Frontier Province "
" and the strength of this department, including the North and South Punjab"
"Circles, has been finally fixed at 96."
Training in inoculation.
" During the year, 27 men were sent to Muktesar "
" for training in inoculation against rinderpest."
Post-graduate course.
"Fifteen men attended the Punjab Veterinary College for a post-graduate"
" course of three months. I was able to give them some "
" attention myself when in Lahore, and at the end"
"of the course submitted them to an examination. Most of the men distinetly "
" benefited by their attendance, and I feel sure the results will justify any"
" temporary inconvenience to districts and to this department that may have"
" been felt."
" I propose with the consent of the Principal to send another batch of "
" men during the year if their services can be spared in the districts."
Re-organization neces-
sitated.
" Impending changes in the cadre of this department due to the trans-"
" fer of a number of men to the Army Remount Depart-"
" ment will necessitate a re-organization."
" I can only venture to say that I hope an effort will be made to put "
" the establishment on a proper footing. With the present pay and prospects "
" we cannot hope to enlist the best men and the efficiency of the department"
"must suffer. Veterinary Inspectors are an urgent necessity, and I hope that"
" sanction for a grade of these men will be obtained as soon as possible."
It has already been pointed out that our grades of pay are lower than
those in other departments which employ Veterinary Assistants. This is very