20

7. The following statement shows the work done in 1923-24 of the touring
Veterinary Assistants, the staff of which was increased by three during the year as
compared with that of the previous five years.

It will be observed that there was a considerable fall both in the number of
inoculations carried out and in the number of cases of contagious disease which were
treated whilst there was an increase under the other two heads. The Chief Super-
intendent attributes the fall in the number of inoculations mainly to the introduction
of fees for the 'serum alone' method of inoculation against rinderpest but it is
obviously more closely connected with the smaller prevalence of epidemic disease. It
was hoped that the levy of a small fee of As. 8 for inoculation against rinder-
pest would result in the realization by the ryots of the value of the operation and
that this would prove an incentive to them to produce their animals for the subse-
quent inoculations necessary to preserve their immunity. But, as it now appears
that the fees have deterred cattle-owners from taking full advantage of the protec-
tion against cattle disease afforded by the inoculations, the Government have decided
to abolish the fees from April 1925.

8.  In reviewing the administration report of the Veterinary Department for
1922-23, the Government expressed the hope that by exempting persons bringing
animals for treatment at Veterinary institutions as a class from payment of tolls,
district hoards and municipal councils would remove difficulties in the way of such
animals being treated at veterinary institutions. The Government are glad to note
that this suggestion has been widely adopted and that only a few district boards and
municipalities now levy tolls in. such cases.

9.   The only important change introduced at the Veterinary College as the
result of the recommendations of the Retrenchment Committee was in regard to
stipends. The Committee recommended that stipends should be entirely abolished.
The Government were unable to accept this recommendation but directed that their
number should be reduced to 15 annually. The change has not so far materially
affected the strength of the college, the strength of which at the end of the year was
84 against 88 at the end of the previous year. The results of the yearly examina-
tions were creditable to the college staff. The Government are glad to note that the
refresher course which was held for the second year was considered by the Board of
Examiners to have amply justified the institution of this course.

10.  The receipts and charges of the department as reported by the Accountant-
General are shown in the subjoined statement:—

The expenditure on the department in 1922-23 was Rs. 5,58,997-4-10. A sum
of Rs. 37,981-9-4 was also expended during the year 1923-24 by the Public Works
Department on veterinary buildings.

                    (By order of the Government, Ministry of Development)

                                                                                                F. NOYCE,
                                                                                        Secretary to Government.

To the Chief Superintendent, Civil Veterinary Department.
„     Principal, Madras Veterinary College.
„    Local Self-Government Department.
„    Public Department.
„     Accountant-General.
„    Board of Revenue (Land Revenue and Settlement).
„     Government of India (Department of Education, Health and Lands), with C L.
Editors' Table.