NORTH ISLAND CATTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18571, 1 December 1923, Page 12

NORTH ISLAND CATTLE.

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

SAID TO HE TUBERCULOUS.

OFFICIAL REFUTATION. ■./ [BT TELEGRAPH.—tOWN CORRESPONDENT.] 'WELLINGTON, Friday. • In the course of an interview in Invercargill Mr. James' King, who was one of the judges at the Manawatu Show, made a statement to the effect that many of the cattle he saw in the North were a disgrace. He asserted that he was told the reason of their low condition was that they were suffering from tuber* culosis. If this disease obtained a firm hold, he said, farmers would have a difficult time. Fortunately, in Southland, they had very little of it, but farmers should keep a careful watch on their stock and check any outbreak. The matter should, he considered, be taken up by the Government, and measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease. When Mr. King's statement was referred to Colonel Young, director of the live stock division, he expressed surprise. He said a statement of this sort was not what was expected from a man who knew, or should know, cattle. Had Mr. King visited the district, say, a month or two later he would have found conditions very different indeed. As to the tuberculosis, n<i was absolutely. incorrect. The percentage of tuberculosis among cattle in New Zealand was no higher than, if indeed so high as, any other part of the world. The methods adopted by the Government here could only be improved upon in one way, namely, by the compulsory testing of cattle throughout the whole of the Dominion. This would entail an enormous expenditure of public money, and would lead to a condemnation of animals where the disease was in its early stages, ■with the prospect of never making further progress. . Such drastic measures were, in Colonel Young's opinion, absolutely uncalled for, as there was practically no danger from this source.

BLACKLEG IN WAIKATO.

"NO CAUSE FOR ALARM."

[BY. TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORBESFONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday. Reports to the effect that there are instances of blackleg among cattle in the Waipa district. Waikato, were to-day brouight under the notice of Colonel Young, director of the live stock division, of the Department of Agriculture. He said that no reports had reached the department of an outbreak other than that which occurred every year. There need be no alarm, he said, as the department had had considerable experience in dealing with the pest in Taranaki. He was confident that they could keep in check any outbreak that might occur at any time.

CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.

BULLOCK - DRIVER KICKED.

GREAT BARRIER ACCIDENT.

While driving a bullock team on Great Barrier Island, a young single man, Alfred L. Herman, had his leg broken by a kick from one of the animals. He was admitted to the hospital last evening, having been conveyed to Auckland by launch. Ho is the son of Mrs. F. Herman, of 2, Onslow Road, Dominion Road. A married man. Mr. William Hollins, received injuries last evening which necessitated hospital treatment. Mr. Hollins was working a printing machine at his premises in , Dundonald Street, Dominion Road, when his right hand became entangled in the machinery and was badly crushed. A hawker named Rudolph Gallen, was thrown from his cart in Park Road yesterday afternoon, and Deceived injuries to his head and face. He was admitted to the hospital. Mr. Gallen is a single man, 49 years of age, and resides at 64, Surrey Crescent. The jockey, Edward Copestake, who was injured at the Takapuna races yes terday, was admitted to the hospital suffering from concussion. Mr. Copestake is a. single man about 27 years of age, and is a resident of Wanganui. Another jockey, named Cotter, was also in jured in the 2*»"s hurdle race. He Was at tended to on the racecourse and taken to

his home in Green une by the St. John Ambulance, suffering from a fractured collarbone and other injuries An unknown motor-cyclist lost control of his machine while driving past the Epsom tramway depot in Manukau Road shortly after IF o'clock last evening, and collided with a group of four tramway motormen who were standing near the edge of the footpath. The rider of the motor-cycle and the other men all received slight injuries and abrasions, but they were able to proceed to their homes without assistance.