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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PEPLLC.O. 885

20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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last, on the subject of Colonial veterinary officers, I have the honour to transmit a copy of a minute by the acting Principal Medical Officer, to whom this despatch was referred; but I do not altogether agree with the conclusions arrived at by Dr. Garland.

2. The question of investigating local animal diseases is one in which I have taken much interest since my first arrival in this Colony; and I regret that it has not yet been found possible for either the London or Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to send a special veterinary expedition to West Africa, as recommended in my despatch, No. 163, of the 2nd April, 1904.†

3. The subsequent history of what has been done on the Gold Coast in the way of veterinary research work is detailed in my despatch, No. 591, of the 30th November last, dealing with the case of Dr. Graham; and the latest development is referred to in Major Bryan's despatch, No. 118, of the 3rd April current,§ in con- nexion with the course of training to be pursued by Dr. Collier.

4. I should be glad if a special veterinary officer, to be attached to the Medical Department, could be selected for service in this Colony; and, if your Lordship concurs, I will provide for this appointment in the 1908 estimates, on the terms specified in paragraph 11 of your Lordship's despatch under reply,* or such other terms as may be considered necessary to secure the services of a thoroughly qualified

I have, &c.,

candidate.

Enclosure in No. 127.

JOHN RODGER,

Governor.

MINUTE by the ACTING PRINCIPAL MEDICAL OFFICER.

The Honourable COLONIAL SECRETARY,

In my opinion the appointment of a veterinary surgeon for research work is not needed in this Colony.

So.

One medical officer is already about to undergo a veterinary course in England, and most of the medical officers in the Northern Territories have sufficient know- ledge to carry out independent research when supplied with proper means to do. At the present moment certain places on the Coast remain impossible for horses, mules, and donkeys owing to one disease, "trypanosomiasis." Kumase is the only place we need seriously consider for the present, and I hope that Dr. Graham and Dr. Collier may be able to do all the work that is necessary and possible in this. direction. So far it has been determined that piroplasmosis has existed in two Yaws have occurred in a few cases, one a horse the other an ox, neither fatal. cases, causing temporary illness amongst horses.

To show how apparent it is that trypanosomiasis is the real enemy to be dealt with at Kumase, I quote from Dr. Montgomery's report:-

"I made blood examinations in 18 horses during the half-year that I was. in Kumase and found trypanosomiasis in 15. The other three cases were fit and healthy horses and I did not expect to find any in them. Of the 15 cases where I found the blood infected, four are still alive. The rest have died. The four that are infected and are at present alive are gradually becoming weaker and I have no doubt that if they are not dead before the next rains that they will then die.”

Horses taken to Kumase with special precautions on the railway should do well if not taken outside Kumase. The gradual clearing of the forest round Kumase will render local infection more difficult.

There is no doubt that there is a great mortality amongst cattle and donkeys taken further south than Salaga and Kintampo, more especially amongst the latter. This is an important matter to Hausa traders, who use donkey and sometimes ox made transport for conveying their loads. There is no proof that there is any ravage by preventible disease, nor can I see how tsetse fly infection or such diseases are to be avoided when one considers the vast tract of country over which caravans travel.

13930: not printed. † 14775: not printed.

• No. 93.

46932: not printed.

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I can have the condition of cattle and donkeys investigated without the assistance of a veterinary surgeon.

March 25, 1907.

16002

No. 128.

P. J. G.,

Acting Principal Medical Officer.

ORANGE RIVER COLONY.

GOVERNOR THE EARL OF SELBORNE to THE EARL OF ELGIN. (Received May 4, 1907.)

(No. 69.)

MY LORD,

Governor's Office, Johannesburg, April 15, 1907. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's circular despatch of the 26th February last,* on the subject of veterinary matters in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates.

2. This Government fully concur in the suggestion that a standard of exami- nation similar to that prescribed for the post of Veterinary Inspector under the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries should be adopted in respect to veterinary appointments in the Crown Colonies and Protectorates. In view, however, of the proposed early change of Government they consider that they would not be justified in binding their successors by agreeing that any officers required for the higher ranks of the Veterinary Department will be taken from the list of approved candi- dates referred to in paragraph 10 of the circular, and they therefore propose to leave the question over for the favourable consideration of the Responsible Government.

may state that the Director of Agri 3. In connection with this question culture, who is at present in England, is endeavouring to obtain the services of a Veterinary Bacteriologist from the source mentioned in your circular despatch.

16364

No. 129.

I have, &c.,

SELBORNE,

Governor.

LEEWARD ISLANDS (ANTIGUA).

GOVERNOR SIR E. B. SWEET-ESCOTT to THE EARL OF ELGIN.

(Received May 8, 1907.)

(No. 164.)

Government House, Antigua, April 16, 1907. MY LORD,

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's circular despatch of the 26th February last, and to express my regret that, in the present circumstances of the Leeward Islands, it is not possible to take advantage of the arrangements which have been made for the establishment of a Veterinary Depart-

ment.

2. In Antigua a qualified Veterinary Surgeon acts as Inspector of Animals under Antigua Ordinance No. 11 of 1900, and receives for his services salary at the rate of £100 a year. No similar appointment exists in any of the other Presi- dencies.

I have, &c.,

BICKHAM SWEET-ESCOTT,

• No. 93.

25310

Governor.

L

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82

No. 130.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received May 9, 1907.)

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, by direction of the Secretary of State, transmits herewith copy of the under-mentioned paper.

Foreign Office,

May 8, 1907.

REFERENCE TO PREVIOUS LETTER.

Colonial Office, November 9, 1906, Reference No. 40701/08.*