THE CATTLE TICK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1624, 29 April 1919, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE CATTLE TICK.

REPORT BY DR REAKES. Preti Aeiocitttion. WELLINGTON, April 28. At a meeting of the Board of Agriculture the question of ticks infesting cattle in New Zealand was discussed as the result of a communication from the Masterton Farmers' Union. Dr C. J. Rcakes gave the board a full account of the nature and habits of ticks aud of the possible extent of their causing loss to Dominion stock-owners. The department had, he stated, carried out a thorough and exact investigation and experimental work on both practical and scientific lines, and had verified its conclusions as to the identity of the ticks by submitting specimens of them to first-class authorities in Great Britain. It was realised that, as the ticks acted as conveyors of tick fever, and were not in themselves capable of setting up this disease, the presence of these parasites in New Zealand did not constitute an immediate menace in the form of causing or spreading tick fever (which had never gained an entrance to New Zealand) or any other serious disease of cattle. At the same time, apart from serious disease, they could, if they becnme numerous enough, cause depreciation in value of stock, and, moreover, would afford a medium for spreading the tick. The board therefore resolved that regulations were required to apply to the North Island to make tick infestation of cattle notifiable and to compel the cleansing of infested cattle from parasites and the prevention of their spread to other districts through the medium of travelling stock.