PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1211, 17 May 1895, Page 5

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.

Christchurch, May 9. Mr Gilruth, Government Veterinary Surgeon, arrived at Lyttelton this morning for the purpose of taking steps in connection with the Australian cattle on the Perthshire, one of which is suspected to be suffering from pleuro-pneumonia. It was resolved to slaughter the beast, and Mr Gilruth, with Mr Charlton, M.R.C.V.S., held a post-mortem examination. The bullock which died on Tuesday was also examined.

No information as to the result was permitted to leak out till instructions were received from Wellington, but as the time for the steamer’s departure drew near, the rumour spread that the Government had refused her Customs clearance, without which she could not proceed to sea. About 4 p.m., however, instructions were received from Wellington that the vessel was to be allowed to proceed to sea, and it was then learned that the bullock killed that morning had been found to be suffering from contagious pleuro-pneumonia. The other animal' which died on Tuesday showed signs of gangrenous pneumonia. Both carcases were left on the steamer, and will bo thrown overboard when the vessel gets to sea. The President of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association has sent a telegram to the Government, urging the importance of making it clearly known in Great Britain that the cattle on the Perthshire did not come from New Zealand, and had no communication with the shore here. [On making enquiry at the Department of Agriculture, we ascertained

that the Stock Inspector at Christchurch, acting under insructions from the department, applied for leave to cut up and examine the carcase on board. This request was refused by the captain of the vessel, and the Inspector therefore, in virtue of the power given him under the Stock Act, took possession of one of the living beasts, and had it killed and dissected on board. The autopsy by Messrs Gilruth and Charlton showed that the animal •vas suffering beyond a doubt from pleuro-pneumonia. Wo further action was deemed necessary, as there had been no communication with the shore. All the Perthshire’s cattle were shipped in Australia, and the Government will now have to consider the expediency of prohibiting the importation of Australian cattle.] The Government have cabled to the Premier of Queensland informing him that an unmistakable case of pleuro-pneumonia had been found among the cattle on board the Perthshire which were shipped from that colony for England. A cable message has also been despatched to the AgentGeneral for New Zealand, apprising him that the Perthshire’s shipment of cattle were all from Queensland and that, although the vessel called in at a New Zealand port, care w r as taken to prevent any communication with the shore. This information will tend to counteract any false and damaging impression prejudicial to this Colony which might be produced by the fact of the Perthshire having been in New Zealand waters.