20

which are obviously insufficient and not easily understandable when
there were 5 for 32. Out of 42 appointments, there are now 12
vacancies and 7 officers in military employ, i.e., 19 vacancies.
This is due mainly to the war, of course, and one has to recognize
that. It would be interesting, however, to know what steps are
being taken to fill up these vacancies, and if there is any response
from desirable candidates.

" It is clear that as far as numbers are concerned, the department
is in a parlous state. Some of the few remaining military men are
on the eve of retirement. We military men have received a cordial
invitation from the Public Services Commissioners to retire, but I
understand that the Government of India are not so keen to part
with us.

" I think I have said enough to show that the Imperial branch
of the department is practically moribund, and that if it is intended
to revive it, a reorganization is required to include the reappoint-
ment of a head.

" If nothing is contemplated, it were better to put the corpse in
the coffin and give it a decent funeral, as soon as possible, leaving
it to Local Governments to appoint an officer occasionally in the same
way as they might a Boiler Inspector.

" If I have convinced the members of this meeting that a
reorganization is required, I will ask them to pass a resolution to
that effect. But before doing so, I will add that, as I have already
shown, the department was originally constituted to deal mainly
with horse-breeding operations which were to have first claim on
its energies. It always has been and still is entrusted with horse-
breeding in non-selected districts and, as far as I know, the duties
are carried out as satisfactorily as they can be with the limited
facilities that are invariably provided in the shape of financial
support. In the Bombay Presidency, the horse-breeding operations,
which had been taken over by the Army Remount Department
in 1903, were handed back to the Civil Veterinary Department in
1910. They had to be conducted on a much smaller scale and a
reduced establishment, as economy was suddenly discovered to be
desirable. Special officers of the Army Remount Department and
an Indian officer had been employed, but they were taken away and
the Superintendent, Civil, Veterinary Department, was given no
extra assistance. I have heard it said that very little is done by
the Civil Veterinary Department, Bombay, for horse-breeding.
That is not a statement which I can agree with altogether, but it
serves as an illustration of the way in which this unfortunate depart-
ment is generally used as a whipping post. One cannot do much
without money and staff.