THE STOCK ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 21

THE STOCK ACT.

The Minister for Lands has introduced a bill to amend the "Stock Act 1898" in several important particular*. Tho power conferred upon tho iiH«peck>rby section 15 of tho principal aot to kill btock shall extend to tho examination of the circuses of dead stcok. It is also provided that persona slaughtering sheep for human consumption shall furnish an annual return to the inspector. When stock is slaughtf tv-d by an ipspector compensation ehcll be allowed eul>j'-ct to the following conditions :—lf: — If tho carcfiso proves to be net infected tho full market value shall be grven ; if the animal desirojed should bo infected with aotinomycoais, cancer, mange, rabies, tuberculosis, or any tumor or growth which, in the opinion of the inspector, ia of a malignant nature, and such as to render unfit for human consumption the flesh or milk of the animal suffering therefrom, or If the animal (if imported) had not been actually df pastured in the colony for at least; six months, no compensation »hall be allowed. If the inspector is satisfied tint the animal was infected with any d:a?a<e (other than those above mentioned) then the compensation shall be according to two-thirds of the market value. In every case wh-re compevsntion is payable under thU srction the amount sball be ofcerUiued, if u(cts«n»ry, by arbitration, but sball in no rase cxeetd— for hones, £15 per head ; for cattle, £8 per bead ; for sheep or swine, £3 per head ; fur other stock, £1 fler head. Section 3of the priucipal aot is repealed. Owners of longwool and crossbred sheep are required between February 1 and April 30 in each year to dip their sheep, although under certvin circumstances the inspector may grtnl nn extension of time. Tho t9rrn "brand" as applied to sheep is re-deGned. The existing lew i* also amended so that it is not teiwary to petition the Governor in order to bring the clause referring to the driving of stock in the daytime into operation. Schedule Aof the principal act is repoaled, and the following flchedalo as to infectious d moists affecting Stock substituted : — AHiuomyccsis, anthrax, oancer, catarrh, foot and mouth dianase, glanderc, mr.nge, plturo-pneumonia, rabies, rinderpest, scab, swine fever, trichinosis, tuberculosis, variola ; and also any tumour or growth which in the opinion of an inspector is of a malignaut or recurrent nature, and such as to render unfit for bumau consumption the flesh or milk of the animal suffering therofrom Schedule Bis repea'ed.