SHEEP DIPPING.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 37, Issue 9591, 5 July 1907, Page 3

SHEEP DIPPING.

About (SO pastoralists attended a meeting of those interested in the question of .sheep clipping, in the County Chambers, on Wednesday, Mr H Johnstone, County Chairman, pre sided and t-xplaiiied that the object of the meeting was to protest against the action of the Stock fnspector in forcing a number of settlers to dip at this sea son of tlu: ymr. No doubt there was vermin in ihe- district and it had to be exterminated, but there was a ct rtain amount of danger in winter dipping, Mr C. Tnder thought there were, eight or nine months in the year in whiph sheep could be dipped,' but if they were dipped now there, might be a heavy death rate. The Inspector had to administer the law, but he did not think it was intended to apply to this altitude in winter. He would move —That this meeting vinws with alarm the action of the Stock Department in compelling sheepowners to dip at this unfavourable season, which means certain death to a large percentage of sheep; that the Minister of Lands be requested tc so amend the law as to exempt the months of June, July and August; and that the meeting expresses itself favourable to the law being strongly enforced during the summer months. Mr Bleach seconded the motion, briefly speaking in favour of it Mr James Hore having pointed out that th&.t would put them into the middle of the lambing season, Mr Inder said that the act made provision for ewes in lamb.

Major Logan thought it was merely a matter for asking the Department not to enforce the act here at the present time, owing to the adverse season. They would only get lice stumped out by the act being enforced, He moved as an amendment—That in view of the present adverse season and low condition of stock in Maniototo, this meeting of farmers is strongly of opinion that the Stock Department should not enforce the act for the eradication of lice until after shearing, This was .seconded by Jlr Armour, although it did not quite meet Ins views The question was what is to be done with the lousy sheep in the exempted months

After a few remarks by the chairman Mr Coyle and Mr Blench, the latter remarking that M r Clapcott had told him he would not expect any man to dip in unfavourable weather, Mr Kinney suggested that tbe amendment should be carried first as a motion, and Mr Inder's motion afterwards, This was approved of, and the meeting terminated with the usual vote to the chair.