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No. 246.
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No. 245/
COLONIAL VETERINARY COMMITTEE.
MEETING OF THE 21ST OF OCTOBER, 1908.
PRESENT:
Mr. A. W. Anstruther, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Mr. S. Stockman, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Mr. II. J. Read, Colonial Office; and
Mr. J. Anderson, Colonial Office (Acting Secretary).
1. The Committee considered a despatch* from the Governor of the Gambia, suggesting that "redwater" and "quarterill" might be added to the list of specific diseases of cattle included in the annual statistics of animal mortality in the Colony and Protectorate.
The Governor further suggested that failure to report deaths of cattle from epidemic outbreaks should be regarded as a punishable offence.
The Committee were of opinion that as "redwater" is not a contagious disease, it need not be added to the list, but that "quarterill" should be added. They con- sidered that any great mortality amongst cattle, from whatever cause, should be reported; and they agreed that, if "epidemic outbreak means any serious loss of cattle, the failure to report should be a punishable offence.
"
2. Mr. J. Brand's reportst on his investigation of trypanosomiasis in Northern Nigeria were discussed. The Committee were of opinion that some expansion was needed in certain directions; they recommended that Mr. Brand should be asked to revise his reports, and put them into complete form, and that reference to his special method of treatment should be omitted. Mr. Brand should be asked to consult Mr. Austin and Mr. Stockman.
3. A report from the Governor of Sierra Leone on the native method of cas- trating cattle was considered, and it was decided to recommend that the subject should be investigated by the Veterinary Officer whom it is proposed to appoint to the Colony. His services might be utilized to instruct the natives in the methods obtaining in this country.
4. A letters from the India Office regarding the participation of the Government of India in the proposed system for the selection of candidates was read. The Com- mittee decided that a letter should be drafted to the Civil Service Commissioners on the subject, stating that it is proposed to take advantage of the examinations now held for the selection of candidates for appointments under the Board of Agri- culture, if a "waiting list" of candidates who have passed the examination can be established.
The Committee recommended that the Colonial Governments should be asked to send reports on matters of veterinary interest to the Government of India, and that copies of reports printed in England should be sent by the Colonial Office.
5. The Committee considered it unnecessary to take any action upon a letter|| from the Foreign Office regarding the loan of the services of a veterinary officer to the Government of Zanzibar; or upon replies received from the Governors of Jamaica, Tasmania, the Falkland Islands, East Africa Protectorate, Bahamas, British Honduras, Windward Islands, Weihaiwei, and Northern Nigeria to Lord Elgin's circular despatch on the selection of veterinary officers. They recommended that the Governor of Mauritius should be informed that the Secretary of State proposes to await Dr. Lafont's report.
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6. The question of the selection of veterinary officers for the Gold Coast and for Sierra Leone then came before the Committee. They recommended that if Mr. Tate is appointed to Uganda, Mr. Beale should be offered the appointment on the Gold Coast provided that he is prepared to undergo a post-graduate course of instruction at the Royal Veterinary College. The Committee also considered that Mr. Abram would be a suitable candidate for the appointment in Sierra Leone.
The Committee then adjourned.
V
4424
SIR,
EAST AFRICA PROTECTORATE.
THE EARL OF CREWE to GOVERNOR SIR J. HAYES SADLER.
(Sent 3.45 p.m., 29 October, 1908.) TELEGRAM.
[Published as No. 59 in [Cd. 4472], January, 1909.]
(No. 436.)
No. 247.
SIERRA LEONE.
THE EARL OF CREWE to GOVERNOR PROBYN.
Downing Street, 24 November, 1908. I HAVE the honour to inform you that I have had under my consideration your despatch, No. 10, of the 22nd of January, 1908,* transmitting a report by the District Commissioner of Koinadugu regarding the native method of castrating cattle.
2. I am advised that it would be desirable that the subject should be investi- gated by the Veterinary Officer whom, as you are aware, it is proposed to select for appointment to Sierra Leone; and that his services might, with advantage, be utilized in instructing the natives in the methods of castration which obtain in this country.
I have, &c.,
13082
No. 248.
GAMBIA.
THE EARL OF CREWE to Governor SIR G. DENTON.
(No. 129.)
SIR,
CREWE.
Downing Street, 24 November, 1908.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch, No. 36, of the 9th of March,† recommending that "Redwater" and "Quarter-ill" should be added to the list of specific diseases included in the statistics of animal mortality in the Gambia.
2. You further recommend that failure to report the death. of cattle from epidemic outbreaks should be regarded as a punishable offence.
3. I am advised that, as "Redwater" is not a contagious disease, there is no need to add it to the list of specific diseases; but that these considerations do not apply to quarterill. 1 accordingly approve the addition to the list of the last- mentioned disease.
4. I am further advised that it is desirable that any great mortality amongst cattle, from whatever cause, should be reported to the Government; and that if, as is assumed, the term "epidemic outbreak " implies a serious loss of cattle from disease, any failure to report such outbreaks should be punishable.
I have, &c.,
CREWE.
• No. 212.
↑ No. 222.
• No. 222.
† Nos. 186 and 213.
‡ No. 212.
§ No. 165.
Not printed.
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