11
Horse shows, Table XIII.
67. The horse shows held in the Delhi, Karnal, Ambala, and Gurdaspur
districts received grants and medals from Imperial funds.
They were all attended by officers of this department.
Cattle shows, Table XIV.
68. Medals from provincial funds were given at the Gurdaspur, Chakwal,
Lyallpur, and Gujrat cattle shows. Most of the shows
were visited by an officer of the department who assisted
the Judging Committee. All shows are attended by one or more of the veterinary
staff to deal with disease and assist generally.
SECTION 4.-OTHER BREEDING OPERATIONS.
Merino rams.
69. It was not found possible to import the 25 Merino rams sanctioned
for the Kangra District as the purchasing agents could
not obtain them at the time of the year they were
ordered. Arrangements are being made to obtain the rams in the autumn,
however.
Part IV.—Subordinate Establishment.
Numerical
strength,
Table VII.
70. The sanctioned strength of the subordinate
establishment as it stood on the 31st March, 1909, was 139
as detailed below:—
Veterinary Inspectors
Do.
Assistants, 1st grade
Do.
do.
2nd grade
Do.
do.
3rd grade
Reserve
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
12
24
48
49
6
139
This is an increase of 11 veterinary assistants over the last year. 22 men
are still required to complete the staff of one man for every tahsil and one
in addition, for each district. These will be recruited at the rate of 8 a year.
An increase in the number of Inspectors to give them smaller charges and to
provide for leave vacancies is required, and definite proposals will be submitted
shortly. As the number of veterinary assistants increases, it follows that the
superior and intermediate staff must be added to.
Work of the subordinate
staff.
71. A proposal to improve the qualifications and position of the Veterin-
ary Inspectors is under consideration. They are doing
useful work, but the need for men of superior qualifica-
tions is indicated in order to give adequate relief to Superintendents. The work
of the subordinate veterinary staff in general continues to improve in efficiency.
Training in inoculation.
72. During the year, five veterinary assistants were sent to Muktesar or
Bareilly for training in inoculation. The necessary
training is now given to students at the local Veterinary
College before they qualify.
General remarks on the
Staff and work.
73. The new system of working may be said to have proved superior to
the old, as under it more work was obtained from the sub-
ordinate staff. The rules and forms that were brought in
have required surprisingly few alterations, and the system works smoothly. It
has, moreover, brought out very clearly that the present staff is inadequate
numerically 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. The present reserve is too small to provide for
leave vacancies now that nearly every man has a hospital. The appointment of
intelligent compounders provides to some extent for the temporary absence of
the veterinary assistants to attend epidemic disease in the ne ghbourhood. The
system should work perfectly well when it is found possible to put two men in
each hospital and to provide a sufficient reserve.