The Star. [PUBLISHED DAILY]

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2437, 27 May 1893, Page 2

The Star. [PUBLISHED DAILY ]

SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1893.

THE STOCK BILL.

A meeting of the general committee of the A. and P. Association has been convened for next Wednesday to consider the Stock Bill which has been prepared for introduction into the Legislature next; session. It may be ot iutereet to the farming community in this district to learn something of the views of farmers elsewhere, so that the matter may be talked over and opinions formed on pro* posals likely to come before the meeting. At a meeting of the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association the other day the subject was discussed and an elaborate report was drawn up and adopted. The following appear to have been the principal suggestions agreed to ." — 1. All sheep must be dipped between Ist of February and 30th April, and not in March and April only as proposed. This the committee thought, if passed, a useful measure. 2. That the law should not apply to tioks as proposed. 3. That tbe law Bhould apply only to contagious foot rot. 4. That ie would be unfair to tax oattle, as the tax upon sheep more than covers the expenses of the Sheep Department. 5. That all owners should Day the rate, without any exception in favor of those having less than two hundred sheep. 6. As to sections 54 and 56, which relate to the compulsory branding with tar ail stock about to be travelled ; as to giving

notice before driving across a run or hundred, and also to driving only within certain hours of tbe day, the committee strongly urge that these sections do not become law. 7. In the section referring to notice being given before mustering, the words " dipping " or " dressing " be struck out. 8. In branding sheep, that a lire brand on the horn or face should be a brand within the meaning of the Act. 9. Tbat lambs be branded after six months old, and not four months, as proposed. 10. Tbat the petition to exempt 6_eep being wool-branded be from the majority of stock owners of a county, and not a district or subdivision, as proposed. Most of these suggestions are likely to ibe brought forward on Wednesday, > and probably many will be adopted. So far as we can learn there is likely to be a | considerable amount of discussion on ths subject of branding, particularly the branding of cattle travelling or being passed through Bale yards. Recent events have stirred up a desire on the part of many farmers to see if something cannot be done, a_d an attempt will likely be made in this direction. The difficulties of course will be great, and the onus will rest on the proposers to show how a system of branding can be introduced which will be workable. At Wanganui, too, it was resolved to again draw tbe attention of the Government to ihe heavy mortality in lambs on this coast, fully 30 per cent., it was stated, having died. The committee suggested that the inspector be authorise- to make experiments, and that a qualified expert be sent up to help sheep owners and inspectors by his advice. It was evident that the settlers co far bave failed to cope with ihe difficulty, and tbat the losses are increasing year by year. The committee were unanimously of opinion tbat the death rate in lambs was even worse than scab. This subject, too, will no doubt be discussed. The meeting will thns have an interesting afternoon's work.