LIVE STOCK EXPORT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10706, 16 July 1895, Page 5

LIVE STOCK EXPORT.

THE CAEGO OF THE SOUTHEBN CROSS. [from oub own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 18. A number of members of both Houses visited the Southern Cross, now lying in the harbour, for the purpose of inspecting her cargo of live stock for the English market. Amongst the visitors were tho Hon John M’Kenzie, the Hon W. O. Walker (Chairman of the Agricultural Stock Committee of the Legislative Council) and Mr Lawry (Chairman of the Committee of the House of Representatives). I had a conversation with Mr Lawry as to the number and quality of the stock. He informed me that 550 cattle, 400 sheep and about 60 horses were on board. He considers the cattle, as a whole, to be a good line, a large proportion of them being crossed with the Hereford. He, however, is satisfied that animals of the Shorthorn breed and those crossed with the Devon show unmistakable signs of being calculated to stand the voyage much better than the Hereford, as evidence of wasting is already more apparent in tho Hereford than the other breeds. He informed me that there was one magnificent specimen of tho Shorthorn which ha estimated to weigh fully 16001 b. Mr Lawry considers that before the export of live cattle can ba a success, some less primitive method of feeding and watering must be adopted, and though there are thirty-three attendants, he is certain that it is impossible to supply the wants of the animals in the tropics by merely placing a bucket containing water before them. The sheep he considers inferior lot, being the first cross from the merino, and not fat. This opinion was endorsed by the Hon J. M’Kenzie, Mr Duncan, and others qualified to judge. The horses are not heavy, but strong, active animals. Mr Lawry deplores that tho hay (lucerne) is of poor quality, exceedingly mouldy, and calculated to produce what should be averted, viz., thirst. This is the largest shipment of live stock ever sent from the colonies, and the stock-owners here are earnestly hoping that the enterprise will result in success. ,

The Government has been in communication with Australian Ministers on the subject of the restrictions upon tho importation of live cattle to this colony. It has been suggested that for the protection of stockowners the prohibition order passed with regard to cattle from Queensland should be extended to all the Australian colonies. B.efors carrying this into effect, it was resolved to invite tho opinion of the different Governments concerned on the subject. South Australia has replied offering no objection to the proposed regulation though pleuropneumonia is practically unknown in that colony. No • reply has yet been received from Victoria or New South Wales, and pending the receipt of communications, no order has been issued extending the prohibition. Hence the ’Southern Cross is allowed to touch at a New Zealand port, but acting on the advice of the Wellington authorities, every precaution has been adopted to prevent the possibility of contagion.