FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Patea Mail, Volume XLVIII, 25 May 1925, Page 3

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

VALUABLE STOCK LOST MK G. N. BELL’S LOSS During his recent yisit to England, Mr G. N. Bell ,of Palmerston North, purchased some valuable pedigree stoex, ■ but, owing to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease at the time, ho was unable to export the animals to the Dominion. Mr Bell has now received advice that the stock contracted the disease, so that his loss is a very severe one. , In mentioning the matter to a “ Standard” representative, 'Mr Bell stated that it was after a good deal of trouble that he decided to purchase the'animals he has so unfortunately lost by the ravages of this terrible disease. They were a line of Shorthorns. Some time ago he was offered a substantial sum for them by a North American breeder, ' the offer being refused. Hoping for the best, he allowed the insurance against the disease to lapse. On three occasions he was advised to sell, owing to the risk of the cattle contracting the disease, but the advice was not accepted, as he tvas naturally loth to part with such valuable animals. As Mr Bell purchased the animals with the object of further improving the cattle industry in this Dominion, he will have the sympathy of breeders in

his severe loss. . A noted English breeder and judge has forwarded Mr Bell the following letter: —"I am extremely sorry for you in losing your cattle, after all the pains you took to find good stock and the miles you travelled before you decided on what to take; your severe test for deep milkers, high butter'fat testers, the real old English type and the T.B. examinations. We admired you for your selection, and also for your remarks when you turned down a good foreign offer, that Now Zealand wanted the very best England had. You will require a stout heart to meet this great loss —that ,is a quality that every breeder requires.”