No. 5401G.
FROM
J. E. SCOTT, ESQ., I.C.S.,
OFFG. DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
EASTERN BENGAL AND ASSAM,
To
THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF
EASTERN BENGAL AND ASSAM.
Dated Shillong, the 1st July 1909.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to forward the Annual Report of the Civil Veterinary-
Department, Eastern Bengal and Assam, for the year ending the 31st March 1909,
together with a report by Mr. McCaldron, the Special Veterinary Officer employed
under the Surma Valley Branch of the Tea Association.
2. During the year Mr. McCaldron and his staff continued to do good work in
the Surma Valley in combating the rinderpest and other forms of cattle-disease. It
is clear from Mr. McCaldron's report, which is enclosed as Appendix A, that the
virulence of the epidemic of cattle-disease in the Surma Valley has now consider-
ably abated. Up to the end of 1908-09, Government had contributed Rs. 25,000
towards the maintenance of this special staff, and in view of the excellent results
obtained, a further grant of Rs. 6,000 has been made for the year 1909-10. The
total expenditure of this establishment will be found in Appendix B.
3. It is satisfactory to note that the students from Eastern Bengal and Assam
acquitted themselves with great credit at the final examination of the Belgachia
College held in March 1909. Out of 25 students that graduated from the College,
there were 13 from this province securing first two places and 6 out of the first 10,
of whom three were Assamese Muhammadans. It has been arranged that in future
the third-year students will be taught the theory and practice of inoculation work
at the Belgachia College. This will avoid the delay and expense now involved in
training the Assistants either at Bareilly or Muktesar.
4. Vernacular editions of the four veterinary leaflets referred to in paragraph 11
of the report are just ready and arrangement is being made to secure their widest
possible publication among the cultivators and cattle owners in several districts.
Leaflets Nos. 3 and 4 are the most important of the series and the ones most likely to
attract the attention of raiyats and to lead to useful results.
5. During the year rinderpest was more or less prevalent throughout the entire
province and is reported to have accounted for 44,123 deaths as against 32,823
last year. The disease took its most severe form in Bakarganj and caused a total
reported mortality of 8,132 cattle.
It is gratifying to observe that raiyata are beginning to appreciate the utility of
inoculation which was carried out on a fairly large scale in 27 districts or subdivi-
sions, against 22 in the preceding year. The number of inoculations for rinderpest
made by the permanent establishment increased from 30,1S2 to 43,011.
6. With a view to securing prompt reports on the outbreaks of cattle-disease, a
proposal is now under the consideration of Government to supplement the work of
the police as a reporting agency by the employment of peripatetic officers of: Excise
and Education Departments, Managers of Wards' estates, Kanungos, mandals, etc.,
for the purpose.
7. The condition of tonga ponies on the Shillong-Gauhati road has not improved
much. It is recently reported by the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department,
that the rule prescribing the minimum number of serviceable ponies to be main-
tained is not observed; and the ponies are underfed, and instructions and warnings
of Veterinary Officers are not attended to by the contractors' men. I have asked
the Public Works Department to take necessary steps on the matter.