No. 1386, dated 8th July 1897.

From—M. F. O'DWER, Esquire, C.S., Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Punjab,

To—M. W. FENTON, Esquire, C.S., Revenue Secretary to Government, Punjab.

Introductory.

I HAVE the honor to submit the Annual Provincial Report of the Civil
Veterinary Department for the year 1896-97. It is based
on the reports of the Superintendents, North and South
Punjab, who have sent copies of their reports in full to the Inspector-General,
Civil Veterinary Department. Under recent orders the reports are due to this
office on 1st June and to Government on 1st July. The report of the Super-
intendent, Civil Veterinary Department, North Punjab, was received by me
punctually on 1st June; that of the Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Depart-
ment, South Punjab, on 18th June. The delay in the latter case is due to the
fact that the orders altering the date were not received in time to be given
effect to this year.

Officers in charge.

2. The Province is now sub-divided for veterinary purposes into two
circles, viz., the North Punjab, embracing 13, and the
South Punjab, embracing 18, districts. Veterinary-Captain
Larnder held charge of the latter from 1st April 1896 to 10th July 1896, and
after him Veterinary-Captain Joslen to the close of the year. Veterinary-
Lieutenant Turnbull held charge of the former throughout the year.

                                   I.—HORSE-BREEDING.

Number of stallions pre-
sent at commeuceient and
end of tbe year.

3. The South Punjab, though it offers a less favourable field for breeding
from Imperial stallions than the North, there being fewer
branded mares, is a suitable ground for the employment of
a smaller class of stallion, the services of which will, it is
hoped, gradually raise the quality up to the requisite standard. Accordingly
we find that while there are fewer Imperial stallions than in the North Punjab
there are many more District Board horse and pony stallions. At the
beginning of the year there were 40 horse and 20 pony stallions. Six
horse and 10 pony stallions were added during the year, viz., 4 horses in
Hoshiárpur, I each in Kángra and Montgomery, 5 ponies in Karnál, 3 in
Ludhiána, 1 each in Hissár and Amritsar. The 4 horses in Hoshiárpur and
the 5 ponies in Karnál, are the property of private persons. Four pony
stallions were removed from the register, 3 having died and one having been
sold, so that the number at the close of the year was 44 horse and 28 pony
stallions distributed as follows (2 horse stallions in Ludhiána having been
returned as ponies this year):—