SHIPPING SHEEP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12426, 15 February 1901, Page 2

SHIPPING SHEEP.

Mr M. Murphy, Secretary to the Society)- .- for the ■ Prevention of Cruelty to has received from- the Inspector a report- onthe shipment of sheep, and their treat-inept on board ship. - Mr Miles, -the Inspector, states that he had witnessed the unloading of the Toroa’s sheep, from the Lhabhams,, the Mana’s,’ from, the Sounds, and the Kahn’s, from Napier. Of the hve hundred ■ sheep shipped at Napier by the Kahn, fourteen died, and several were landed in a veiy sickly condition.- They were shipped Air Miles was informed, Just after having, been driven a long distance', and they appeared t*. have been somewhat over-driven -and weak: when put on board. The sheep were not over-crowded, and were all well. penned r o&. Every reasonable, care seemed to have, been taken of the,animals, but Mr Miles thought that this case showed 1 the necessity; for gh-'; ing sheep a short ; rest, and, ii possible, a feed, before shipment. As to .the unship- ■ ping’ of sheep, they are landed by means of slings. Mr’Miles' saw over one thousand so landed, and though no in July was inflicted, the sling sometimes slipped forward, causing the rope to be drawn round the-animai’a body, and there was a risk of them being injured internally. - The. Inspector advises, ■ where the crane is used, that the should be hoisted in crates; and where the -sling is. used, that the portion of the. sling passed lomid the body should be a canvas ; orleather belt. As there are about ten thousand sheep to arrive from the Chathams and other places, he advises that the shipping agents should be written to at once, and asked to make the alterations suggests ed. At Lyttelton, a receiving paddock ’is greatly needed, but Air Miles has,been told a suitable site cannot be obtained. Air Allies intends making personal enquiries on the subject, and if a site can be secured, he will endeavour to get stock .firms to join in leasing and fencing it if necessary; Failing this, the yards on the breakwater’ ought to°be enlarged, and a-rack provided'to-en-able sheep left in the yards to be fed.