MORTALITY AMONG STOCK AT TOKOMAIRIRO.

Otago Witness, Issue 2371, 10 August 1899, Page 5

MORTALITY AMONG STOCK AT TOKOMAIRIRO.

Phis matter came up for discussion at last week's meeting of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club. Mr Allison drew attention to the great mortality among sheep and cattle at the present time in several parts oi the district. The deaths were very numerous when compared with the numbei _of stock. He thought that if the district were visited by one. of the veterinary surgeons brought from Homo lately, some light might be thrown on the cause. He called at the local stock inspector's office about tho matter, but the inspectoi was unavoidably absent. He was, however, told that veterinary surgeons did not care to examine animals which had been dead for several days, and that it would be useless- to ask a veterinary surgeon to make an examination unless the case was a fresh one. He mentioned the subject thinking that probably some member of the club might have a- fresh case when the services of a veterinary surgeon wore available. It was not the weakly cattle or sheep which died off, but apparently healthy and strong animals. The chairman remarked that owners did not get much warning ; as cattle and sheep which were apparently healthy and strong would in a few hours be dead. Mr Inglis asked Mr W. Grey as one who had lengthy experienca of sheep to give his opinion. Mr Grey did not think a veterinary surgeon emiid. do much good in these cases ; the only

thing he eonld do would be to tell them to shift the sheep and give them a change of feed. Mr Inglis saicHie never allowed his sheep to stop in a turnip paddock when the weather was wet. When sheep were allowed to eat dirty turnips there would be any number of deaths. He believed the only remedy was to shift the sheep at once. Mr Allison said that a bullock of his died in a grass paddock to which turnips were carted. In this paddock there was a stack of straw. Mr J. Grey suggested that if any settler wanted one of the Government veterinary surgeons he should send for him ; it would not cost the settler anything. Mr Martin thought that these veterinary surgeons were not tied to any one place. If one of them stayed here for a few days there would be probably some cases for him. to investigate. The subject was then dropped. -