26
198. The prizes which are given at fairs perhaps excite some local interest
and as well managed fairs produce a very large income to the districts it is well
that a small amount in prizes should be distributed to cattle owners. Shows,
if held in convenient places in good cattle breeding centres may excite some
interest and they are undoubtedly a great success in some places. It is a
matter for Local Governments to decide what is best to be done in regard to
shows. Fairs will take care of themselves.
IV.-SUBORDINATE ESTABLISHMENT.
Numbers, su-
pervision and
work
per-
formed.
199. Table VII gives the strength of the subordinate establishments as they
stood at the end of the year. All the services are now Provincial except that
of the United Provinces. Bombay has only just arranged to organize the
Subordinate Department and it is hoped that some improvement may be possi-
ble when the scheme is developed and gets into working order. The develop-
ment of the subordinate establishment is much hindered in the United Provinces
for lack of funds and the Superintendent remarks in this connection that:—
"To give effect to the scheme of Government to raise the subordinate veteri-
nary staff to an ultimate strength of 200 by a gradual yearly increase in num-
ber, according to the financial position of the District Boards concerned, every
endeavour was made to induce these bodies to increase their Veterinary Staff
where it appeared most necessary. Nineteen out of 48 districts agreed to do
so and it was hoped that at least 30 men would be added to the strength.
Many of the District Boards have had to forego their original intention to enter-
tain the additional men with the result that the increase will only be about
half that which was originally intended and required. It will easily be realised
how hopelessly impossible it is for a Veterinary Assistant to cope, single-handed
with a severe outbreak of disease in a large district."
200. In the more advanced provinces there can be no doubt whatever that,
the work of the Department is much appreciated and that more assistance, neces-
sitating extra staff, is wanted; the present staff being numerically inadequate
to deal with the work, especially when epidemic disease is rife. The weakness
lies in the necessity for closing Veterinary Hospitals when men have to go on
tour or leave. Two men in each tahsil is now generally recognised as neces-
sary.
201. The lack of trained men from the vernacular College is deplorable.
The College has been very much overcrowded and the number of students must
be decreased to maintain efficient training. There is a demand at the present
time for over 500 men whilst the College cannot train a sufficient number to
even replace casualties. Urgent representations have been made to Govern-
ment with a view to the establishment of a second vernacular College, which is
very urgently needed. Now that the magnificent and costly Agricultural
Colleges are nearing completion it is hoped that sanction may be given for this
College which opens up a useful career to the sons of agriculturists for whom
immediate and useful employment is forthcoming.
202. The work of the superior staff, especially is becoming more and more
arduous as the subordinate staff and the work increase out of all proportion to
its strength. We can obtain no addition to our strength of Imperial officers,
and it is clear that if the department is to make any progress in dealing with
contagious diseases such as Anthrax, Hæmorrhagic Septicaemia, Black
Quarter, etc., we must have a more highly trained native agency, who can give
efficient assistance to the superior staff, and who will be capable of dealing with
epidemics efficiently in the field. Such officers should be placed in charge of the
Veterinary Assistants in workable areas. This it appears to me, must come at
once if we are to be efficient and it will necessitate the establishment of an
Imperial Veterinary College, training men up to the standard of the European
or Continental Colleges and granting a degree of B. Sc. in Veterinary medicine.
I think good material can be found in the country.
203. The following table will show at a glance the sanctioned establish-
ments of the various provinces, the number added, and the strength at the end
of the year:—