196

            Results of Professional Examinations, September 1897.

1075.    We are mainly interested in the results of the third or final examina-
tion, and it is disappointing to find that only 7 candidates were successful out of
14, who presented themselves for examination. The small number of Veterinary
Assistants turned out from this College is much to be regretted as it so greatly
lessens its value from an imperial point of view; take for example last year when
8 Veterinary Assistants were required for service in Uganda, Bombay was unable
to furnish one, and all were supplied from Lahore.

1076.    When we compare the results with other teaching establishments, we
find the following results:—

  Results of Final Examinations 1897-98.

1077.    Reporting on the examinations held at Bombay, the Assistant to the
Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, who is a member of all Boards of
Examination, states:—

I regret that I have to report that the majority of students showed a want of knowledge in going about their
animals. It is very certain that had the animals been other than absolutely quiet, there would have been some
serious accidents. Very few of the class B. students were able to take the pulse correctly or tell the age of an animal.
In class C. many of the students were unable to take the pulse correctly and the same remarks are applicable to the
ageing of cattle. With these men also there was a sad deficiency in the manner of handling and going about cattle.

All the operations were conducted upon living animals under the influence of chloroform and in the majority of
cases showed that the students had been well ground in this subject.

1078.    And although the Principal states that other Institutions cannot be
compared with the Bombay College, where the curriculum of study is altogether
of a higher character and the tests more severe and searching, I am informed by
the Assistant to the Inspector-General, Civil Veterinary Department, who attends
all examinations, that the tests are somewhat more stringent at Bombay, as in
addition to the viva voce there are written papers on each subject, nevertheless it
is certain that in the practical application the Bombay students can in no way claim
better qualifications than those of other schools.

1079.    Veterinary-Major Mills, the Principal, brings forward the advisability
of a shorter course and consequently a lower standard of education. He states:—

Owing to the frontier wars there was a great demand for Salutris, and inquiries were made by the Commissariat
Transport Department whether such men were available at the College. I had to reply that there were none. Our
present men refuse such appointments, not only for want of sufficient remuneration, but because of the nature of the
work they would have to perform. In my report on the two years' course I have brought to the notice of Govern-
ment that for such work, and also for continuous travelling duty, men from the labouring classes should only be
trained, and that such training should be given in Hindustani, a language more or less understood by every community
in India, as it is rare to find men of this class with even a rudimentary knowledge of English. Besides, they must be
men able to stand hard work. These men too, it has been pointed out, will be useful for employment as municipal
market inspectors and veterinarians to petty native states who are unable to employ graduates.

1080.    I fear this goes to prove that the students educated at this establishment
are above hard work which is so essential to success in the case of Veterinary
Assistants. This result is exactly what I foretold would be the case if the status
of the Bengal School were raised. I am an advocate for the extension of the
period of study provided it does not turn men out with too lofty ideas, but in the