2
College. There is also the question of expense. Perhaps, the appointment of a
Eurasian farrier would be the best solution of the difficulty, if a really efficient
one can be found. Inquiries on this point are being pursued.
B.—THE PROVINCIAL CIVIL VETERINARY DEPARTMENT.
Reconstitution of the
Provincial Civil Veterinary
Department.
6. The changes in the constitution of the department foreshadowed in
last year's Report took effect from the 12th November,
The old arrangement by which the Superintendent, assisted
by a second Superintendent, was in charge of the Veteri-
nary Departments of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province was abolished.
Three separate circles were created for the two Provinces. One of these circles
with headquarters at Lahore is in charge of the Chief Superintendent who
exercises general control as regards the Punjab over the other two Superin-
tendents, North and South Punjab, having their headquarters respectively
at Rawalpindi and Ferozepore.
The Superintendent, North Punjab, Mr. Woodley, also holds independent
charge in the North-West Frontier Province. Pending the appointment of a
third officer to the Department (of whose early arrival intimation has only been
received after the close of the year) Captain Walker, Chief Superintendent, has
been called upon to perform in Lahore the duties of Superintendent, South
Punjab, in addition to his own work. This arrangement must continue until the
new recruit has been sufficiently trained in his duties to assume charge of his
circle.
Intended modification of
the itinerating system.
7. The process of development in the Department will be continued by
the recent sanction to the remodelling of the itinerating
system for Veterinary Assistants. It is intended for the
future to have a stationary Veterinary Assistant in charge of a hospital at each
tahsil, and in addition an itinerating Assistant whose range will embrace the
whole district to which he is appointed. The latter Assistant will, however,
devote particular attention to the tahsil in which the headquarter's hospital
is situated, as the stationary Assistant in charge of that hospital will, owing to
its importance, seldom be able to visit outbreaks of contagious disease in the
rural areas. It is hoped to introduce the new system with effect from the 1st
October next.
Utilisation of the special
grant to District Boards for
veterinary purposes.
8. The assignment by the Local Government of one lakh of rupees
per annum for five years to be devoted by District Boards to
veterinary purposes is another land mark in the progress
of the Department. A circular was issued last July, putting
forward suggestions as to the best means of utilising the district allotments.
These included (i) the purchase of stud-bulls; (ii) increased grants for medicines,
instruments, books, &c.; (iii) improved equipment for veterinary hospitals; and
(iv) construction of hospitals and dispensaries. Very general interest has been
taken by district officers in drawing up programmes of expenditure and the future
is full of promise, especially in view of the additional appointment to the superior
supervisory staff which has been severely crippled by overwork in the past. It is
owing to this pressure that a scheme for another cattle survey of the Province
proposed by the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, has been tem-
porarily postponed.
Transfer of the control of
the Simla Hospital to the
Municipal Committee.
9. It is unnecessary to summarize here the information on various sub-
jects given in the body of the Chief Superintendent's
Report. It should, however, be stated with reference to
paragraph 54 below that at the close of the year a proposal
was made (and has since been accepted) to transfer the control of the Simla
Hospital to the Municipal Committee for a period of five years and subject to
certain conditions. This transfer will, it is expected, facilitate the collection
of outstanding debts.
Tours and work of officers.
10. During the year under report Captain Walker, the Chief Superintend-
ent, was on tour for 156 days, travelling 10,330 miles by rail
and 952 miles by road. His tours embraced eight districts
and apart from attendance at outbreaks of disease included inspections of 10
Veterinary Hospitals and 16 dispensaries. He judged at 13 Horse and Cattle