5

32.     Table VII shows in detail the distribution of assistants in the
various districts of this Province.

33.     During the year one Veterinary Assistant died, one was discharged
and eight were on military duty. Four new posts for which sanction had
been received previously were also opened during the year. Eleven new
graduates were received from the College, and they were absorbed in filling
up old and new vacancies. Sodepur Pinjrapole entertained one more Veteri-
nary Assistant during the year.

34.     Deputy Superintendent.—Babu Sarat Chandra Paul has given me
much assistance in inspection work.

35.     Veterinary Inspectors—Have worked satisfactorily. Babu
Nripendra Nath Majumdar, Veterinary Inspector in charge of the Presidency
Division, was on combined leave for about eight months, during which period
Staff Veterinary Assistant Babu Rabindra Nath Bose acted in his place.

36.     Staff Veterinary Assistants.—Of the four staff Veterinary Assis-
tants sanctioned for this Department only two were employed at the close
of the year for want of men. Of these two one was on deputation for the
most part of the year. The remaining staff Veterinary Assistant, Babu
Pashupati Nath Mukerjee, performed his duties satisfactorily.

37.    Veterinary Assistants.—With few exceptions the work of the
Veterinary Assistants was generally good. One Veterinary Assistant was
suspended for misconduct.

                            Part V.—Expenditure of the Department.

38.     Table XIVA shows the expenditure of the Department during the
year including that of the Bengal Veterinary College. This statement has
been prepared according to the figures furnished by the Accountant-General,
Bengal.

                                                General Remarks.

39.     Cattle Poisoning.—This crime was rife as usual. Veterinary Assis-
tants performed post-mortem examinations on several cases sent up by the
Police, and viscera were sent to the Chemical Examiner to the Government
of Bengal. Offenders were punished in cases where arsenic was detected.

40.     Cruelty to Animals.--Endeavours were made by the Veterinary
Assistants to prevent cruelty, and several cases were sent up for prosecution
under the Act.

41.     Office Establishment.—Owing to the death during the year of the
second clerk and the transfer of the third clerk to Dacca in the office
of the Director of Agriculture, Bengal, the work in the office was somewhat
difficult for a time. The head clerk had extra work and responsibility in
consequence, and I am pleased to be able to say that his efforts in keeping the
work up to date were very satisfactory.

                                                                    A. SMITH, LT.-COL.,
                                                        Offg. Supdt. Civil Vety. Dept., Bengal.
    CALCUTTA,
The 28th Jane 1918.