©be Mortlrmt 2ttSsttit4 |THE CLEVELAND SCAB CASE.

Northern Advocate, 1 September 1888, Page 2

The Northern Advocate THE CLEVELAND SCAB CASE.

The great importance of the issues involved must be our excuse for again referring to this now notorious case. If there is one branch, of "pastoral pursuits of more value to New Zealand than another, it is that of our flocks, and any circumstance which tends to imperil these must be at once arrested. It is a matter of regret that, one, t)f the results of the plentifulness of money in ike past, hundreds of. individxials of no particular calling, and who otherwise would sink before ordinary competition in the struggle for existence, by impudent importunity or by interest, have bean placed in important positions Of trust under the Government, often requiring trained skill, for which they are utterly unfit > and it is not until some great wrong is done, or some serious blunder is committed aad made know, that it is discovered that things in a given department are all wrong. la bur last issue we said that it was passing strange to us how it could be possible for any who had experience with sheep and" cattle to mistake ring- worm for scab, as they are so dissimilar in appearance and effects. "We will not insult our agricultural readers by telling them these differences, but merely mention one with which the least observant — even Messrs Bayly and Drummond— should be familiar, as it is a certain test, without even looking for the insect. In ring-worm friction has a soothing effect on an animal, while it irritates in the case of scab, causing the animal to bite and kick furiousily. This, however, is not the point which we wish to impress on our readers and the Government, but challenge the the assertion that ring-worm existed in the Cleveland sheep, or that it ever was found in any sheep whatever. We believe we are safe in asserting that it never was, and that no one, until now, ever heard of such a thing. The celebrated veterinary surgeons Clater and Armitage, with whose works most are familiar, 'affirm that it has not, and Professor Gangee confirms their opinion. Professor Gerlach, of the Veterinary College of Berlin, who. has made a special study of all skin diseases in animals, not only says that ring-worm never did exist in sheep, but that it cannot even be scientifically communicated. In speaking of ring- worm that gentleman observes, " Having remarked that oxen, which were in the same stall with those affected, contracted the disease, I determined to perform some experiments, with a view to ascertain whether it was communicable to other animals. The crusts were devided coarsely, and placed under the hair of several oxen and calves. In all these animals the characteristic skin affection developed itself. * * * * Further experiments proved the disease is communicable to the horse, but failed in sheep and pigs ; and succeeded in oxen even after the expiration of two, three, and six months. In man the disease was produced, in the crust of which was contained the vegetable parasite that produced it in the ox." And what does all this go to show? That Inspectors Bayly and Drummond — these models of wisdom ! — challenged Inspector Elliott's opinion, and declared the Cleveland sheep to be free from scab, but to be suffering from a disease which all experience shows never did exist in that race of animals, and which science says cannot even be communicated by its aid. Little wonder then that scab is continually breaking out in flocks pronounced clean by these men, seeing they know as little of the whole subject as an untutored savage. The thought may occur to some minds, that Inspector Elliott was also in some little doubt, or why send for Drummond ? Why not have acted at once ? Mr Elliott, however, has not, nor ever had, any doubt on the matter, and his conduct is explainable enough. Being gazetted as Inspector for the Marsden sub-division only, it was illegal for him to declare the Cleveland sheep unclean, and his only course was to send for Inspector Drummond, in whose sub-division Inspector Elliott was, as soon as he discovered scab. In fact Inspector Elliott had no business in the Auckland sub-division at all, for the moment he left the Marsden boundary he was not acting under authority, as "or elsewhere" never has been added to the gazette notice of his appointment. Whatever the Government may think of this -matter, amongst flock owners there can be but one feeling, that of utter distrust, a determination to have the present abuses abolished, and fitting appointment made ; and we urge on them, as they value the safety of their flocks and their prosperity, to see to it that they rest not until the whole department is swept clean of ignorant inspectors. We learn that, after having at first refused, and after Inspector Elliott is safely back to his sub-division, Bayly has professed to have the sheep in question brought to Auckland for examination. We say professed. To the result of this we attach no importance whatever. We should be verdant indeed if we could be induced to believe that, with £100 penalty hanging over the owner, and with the reputation and livelihood of the two official blunderers at stake, after so long a lapse of time, the identical sheep would be brought to Auckland, especially as Inspector Elliott was safe out of the way in his remote sub-division, and not able to

.challenge the nnimal produced. To none who havo perused the history of this case, and marked the treatment of Inspector Elliott, can their feelings be other than those of niingled disgust and alarm. For what •was he insultingly and hastely or* 1 "-- * back to his district, f- "* - —^« ea. dismisspd? P-' ■>• aas hastely duty T; 3-f "W for domg hie l m y- Had he been guilty of the grossest he could not nave been worse treated. Unless a great change is wrought after this the duties and the interests of Inspectors will be as opposite as the poles, and cleanliness will be the general cry when all is unclean and putrifvinff sores. r J °