2
5. Owing to the fodder famine there was very great mortality among
cattle during the year, and fairs were frequented chiefly for the purpose of the
sale at low prices of cattle which their owners could not afford to keep.
Veterinary-Captain Gunn's valuable and interesting report on the cattle of
Jhelum, Ráwalpindi and Hazára was consequently received by Government at a
time which was not favourable for taking action upon it.
6. It is observed that no new Veterinary Dispensaries were established
during the year, and that the question of starting one at Delhi was held in
abeyance owing to the famine. The total number in the whole Province is at
present 10, and the remarks made by the Superintendents on the working of the
Siálkot and Amritsar Dispensaries show how useful these institutions are when
carefully worked. In this direction also His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor
hopes that the reorganization of the Subordinate Veterinary service will result
in considerable improvements. The scheme suggested by Colonel Montgomery
for having a central dispensary in charge of a competent Assistant in each district
would no doubt result not only in the more successful treatment of disease, but
also in the dissemination among the agricultural classes of the knowledge of the
methods by which disease can be successfully treated.
7. That there was no decrease this year in the number of castrations of
colts was satisfactory, considering that the year was one of famine, a circumstance
which probably accounts for a material reduction in the number of castrations
effected in the Delhi Division.
8. Consequent on the removal of the Depôt to Abbott-abad His Honor
the Lieutenant-Governor has recently sanctioned an arrangement by which the
head-quarters of the Superintendent, North Punjab, will be located at Abbott-abad.
The head-quarters of the Superintendent, South Punjab, will also be at Abbott-abad
from 1st July to 1st October to admit of the Superintendent, North Punjab, going
on tour, as it is necessary that one of the Superintendents should be present
at the Depôt during that period. The Superintendent, South Punjab, will spend
the months of May and June in Simla. It is of great importance that any
outbreak of disease on the tonga line should be promptly dealt with In this
connection it is satisfactory to observe that the Superintendent, North Punjab,
succeeded in checking an outbreak of glanders on the cart-road to Srínagar in
the summer of 1899.
9. The cost of the Civil Veterinary Department to Provincial Funds during
the year under report was Rs 21,045-80 as against Rs. 17,989 in the previous
year. The increase was almost entirely under the head of travelling allowance,
and the amount drawn under this head was considerable. In accordance with the
remarks made in paragraph 7 of last year's Review it is observed that a new
Table R has been attached to the Report showing for 1898-99 the expenditure
incurred by District Boards on Veterinary objects and countervailing receipts
from horse and cattle fairs. It is hoped that next year it will be possible to
give the figures under these heads for the actual year under report.
10. His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor concurs in the commendation
which the Director bestows on the work done during the year by Veterinary-
Lieutenants Trydell and Smith, and wishes to express his thanks to Mr. Sykes for
an interesting Report.
ORDER.—Ordered, that a copy of the Report and the above Remarks be sub-
mitted to the Government of India in the Revenue and Agricultural Department,
and be forwarded to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department in India;
also that the Remarks be published in the Punjab Government Gazette and be
communicated to the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab.
By order of the Hon'ble the Lieutenant-Governor,
A. H. DIACK,
Revenue and Finl, Secy. to Government, Punjab.
Punjab Government Press, Lahore—7-8-1900—280.