EARMARKS AND BRANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 8

EARMARKS AND BRANDS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir —I note with interest a letter u this morning's issue of your paper signed ''Old Farmer," deploring tbi present state of the earmarks and brands of sheep in the Oxford district, and stating that the local Government Stock Inspector said in his .evident, the other day that in that district "there were 700 different earmarks, and that owing to duplications earmarks had lost much'of their .value for identification purposes, and £-«»-* so in that small district, what must the position be over the South: Island; in fact, all over New Zealand? : T mar sav in this connection, tna> about the year 1910. a long debate took place in Parliament (there having been a Croat increase of sheep stealinf during that year), the result, being that the then Minister of. Agnculturt was instructed to ask tor schemes ant suggestions on the matter from tbc general public, with the promise of & ?ood substantial bonus, for really good and workable suggestions and ideas. Having mvself been a sheep farmer ot about fifteen years' standing, and being also the inventor of a tattoo brand, I considered mvself competent to compete amongst others. I spent a long time evolving and perfecting a new wool-branding scheme to be worked in connection with a perfectly simple svstem of skin branding (either bx tattoo or other suitable process). I sent nit scheme up to the Department in Wellington, and in time got a reply stating that my system had been thoroughly gone into by Government officials*'in the Stock Department, that it was verv interesting, and that it the Government, eventually decided to make an alteration in the present system, (save the mark) they would communicate with me again, and, with what seems always the way these things are managed. I'heard no more. .Net much encouragement here. T may say that all the various samples of sheepskins I sent them, sheep, ears also.showing tattoo marks, together with all documents, have been kept by them ever since. Now. sir, I have .a copy oi my plan still at home, and if your friend "Old Farmer" is interested,;it might perhaps be advisable to publish it in pamphlet form or through the newspapers, and Farmers' Unions could then take the matter up if they felt so disposed.—l am. etc., L. DAVIES.