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of District and Local Boards to assist the inhabitants of the Province,
how can they do it better than by insisting that their cattle should be
kept healthy and free from disease ? No cattle, no food, no population,
what then is the use of education, public health, good communications,
etc.?

The actual direct loss in money to the Presidency, through animals
becoming diseased and dying is enormous, and could nearly all be saved
by calling in Veterinary assistance and the indirect loss is probably
incalculable.

Other provinces are quickly realising that veterinary work has been
relegated to an inferior position for far too long, why should this pro-
vince lag behind ? It is refreshing to see that a ray of light has pene-
trated the darkness, in the case of the Naogaon Dispensary, which is,
after many years of thought, about to be built, and in Berhampore where
provision is being made for a Hospital. Hopes are entertained that
similar light will dissipate the blackness in which veterinary work lies
in other places.

Several schemes for improvement are held up for want of funds,
such as " Free distribution of serum," " Increase of pay of Veterinary
Assistant Surgeons," " Division of work into three Ranges," " Staff
Veterinary Assistant Surgeons," etc. There is, however, little hope of
them maturing for same time.

63.     In the midst of these depressing circumstances it is a pleasure
to record that a sum of Rs. 324 has been placed at the disposal of the
Rangpur Board by the proprietors of the Panga Fair for the improve-
ment and expansion of Veterinary aid in that district.

64.     Assistant Directors.—Rai Sahib S. C. Paul, in spite of repeated
periods of sickness, has worked extremely well and been of great assist-
ance to me. Babu N. N. Majumdar has also worked consistently and
conscientiously.

65.     Veterinary Inspectors.—I am making no mention this year as
circumstances do not warrant it. I appreciate the difficultites they have
to contend with, though I nevertheless am of the opinion that more
energy would secure more results.

66.    Veterinary Assistant Surgeons.—Good work was done by Babu
H. K. Bose and M Shaikh Abdul Wahab on the Demonstration Train,
other than this nothing outstanding appears to have been done by any
Veterinary Assistant Surgeon. My remarks about the Inspectors are
equally applicable here and I am afraid they do not advertise themselves
enough on their tours.

67.     Office.—The increased staff has not yet materialised. This
combined with what appears to be an unusual amount of sickness prob-
ably explains the delays about which I have frequently grumbled.

When the staff is augmented, everything should work much more
smoothly.

                                                                    R. T. DAVIS, I.v.s.,

                                               Director, Civil Veterinary Department, and
                                         Veterinary Adviser to the Government of Bengal.
          Calcutta:

The 25th June 1928.