480 
MISCELLANEA. 
SHABBY REMUNERATION OF VETERINARY 
EVIDENCE. 
Whitchurch, 5th April, 1847. 
Sir, — The latter end of last year, Mr. Tapley, of the Holly- 
hurst, had two horses stabbed by his waggoner, and I attended 
on them. Mr. Lowe, solicitor, Nantwich, had the prosecution, 
and I was subpoenaed on the trial, which took place at Chester, 
on the 4th January last. The policeman who subpoenaed me 
informed me I was to have a guinea a-day besides my 
travelling expenses. 1 attended, and the man pleaded guilty. 
In a day or two afterwards, I received from Mr. Lowe 5s. for 
my day’s work and 15s. (9 d. a mile) for travelling expenses. 
Now, I think it very hard that I should be compelled to attend 
and be so illiberally remunerated. It cost me 10s. for coach 
fare to Berston and back again, and 3s. by railway, besides my 
eating and drinking, and loss of business at home; and had the 
Court broken up half an hour later, I should not have been able 
to have got home before six o’clock the following day, and not 
have had a farthing allowed for my extra expenses and the loss 
of another day. 
The table of fees, I believe, allows a guinea a-day only to the 
three professions, law, physic, and divinity. Now, I should 
feel particularly obliged if you will lay this matter before the 
magistrates at their next sessional meeting, and try to have 
veterinary surgeons added to the other professions, so as to 
entitle us to the guinea a-day. 
You, perhaps, may not be aware that in 1844 a Royal 
Charter of Incorporation was granted, conferring on our art the 
title of a profession, of which I am a qualified member. 
I scarcely for a moment can doubt, when you lay the 
case before the magistrates, but what they will allow us the 
same fees as other professional men ; for I think it is hard 
indeed that even a policeman shall receive for attendance 7 s.6d. 
a-day and us only 5s. 
Such an allowance is enough to make veterinary surgeons 
evade giving evidence, and so cause the ends of justice to be 
defeated. 
I am, Sir, 
Your most obliged and obedient Servant, 
W. A. Cartwright, V.S. 
To H. Churton, Esq. Chester. 
P.S. The above letter, though written as dated, from some 
cause or other, was not sent. I believe I may add to it, that 
the paltry re-imbursement named is pretty general throughout 
the country. W. A. C. 
