No.
FROM
W. C. RENOUF, ESQUIRE, C.S.,
Director of Agriculture, Punjab,
To
E. D. MACLAGAN, ESQUIRE, C.S.,
Offg. Chief Secretary to Government, Punjab.
Dated the 1st August 1906.
SIR,
I have the honour to forward the annual combined Report on the Punjab
Veterinary College and the Provincial Civil Veterinary Department for the year
1905-06. The Principal of the Punjab Veterinary College has written Part I,
and the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department, Parts II to IV. I add the
following remarks on the reports of these officers which should be read with
what I have already said in the Preface and in Parts V and VI.
A.—THE PUNJAB VETERINARY COLLEGE.
Work done during the
year.
2. The results of the annual examination are distinctly good, the per-
centages of passes being 83 per cent. in the first, 90 per cent.
in the second, and 89 per cent. in the third year. There were
209 students in all under tuition, and courses of training were also provided for 65
transport dressers and 9 farriers. The number of students has been raised to 278
with a view to meeting the exceptional demand for Veterinary Assistants. I agree
with Major Pease that the classes are becoming too large to permit of sufficient
individual attention. But I am inclined to think that the number of admissions
next year may be reduced to the normal. The Punjab Provincial Depart-
ment only requires about 50 men to work up to its full strength, as contemplated
at present, and recruitment will be spread over at least five years. The
numerous vacancies in other Provincial Departments are being filled with young
graduates, and retirements will be of rare occurrence in future years. Making
every allowance for unforeseen developments, a diminishing demand may be
expected to set in some four or five years hence. An improvement is being
proposed in the pay and prospects of Veterinary Assistants serving in this
Province, and, if sanctioned, it should result in higher educational qualifications
among the class of students who are selected for admission to the College. This
would enable them to benefit fully by the three years' course. This year, 20 per
cent. had passed the Entrance Examination of the Punjab University, a marked
advance on 11 per cent. in 1905.
Amalgamation
with
Ajmere, extension of re-
search work and new
buildings.
3. The year has been an eventful one and is full of promise for the
future. The amalgamation of the Ajmere College has
brought with it a needed increase in the teaching staff.
The addition of a third English Professor has permitted of
a considerable extension of research work. A very satis-
factory feature is the co-operation of the College and the Provincial Department
as this is an essential condition of success in the investigation of disease. The
officers of the Provincial Department have very little leisure and limited facilities
for laboratory work, but they come into contact with outbreaks of disease and
obscure forms of disease in the villages and can bring interesting cases to
the notice of the College. Appendix F shows an excellent record of work, and
I hope that we may now look forward to rapid progress in the most important
subject of the investigation of disease. The buildings and equipment have already
been materially improved from the funds placed at our disposal by the Govern-
ment of India for agricultural development. The hostel and the new anatomical
room cannot be begun until sites have been acquired. Lengthy delays unfortunately
appear to be inseparable from proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act,
The difficulties attendant on the adoption of a separate course for the Military
students have been represented to the Government of India.