LICE INFECTED SHEEP

Waipa Post, Volume 37, Issue 2179, 5 July 1928, Page 8

LICE INFECTED SHEEP

For exposing two lice-infected rams for sale, Which offence Was admitted, John Macky was. convicted at the local S.M. Court this morning. It was explained that dip had been used on the sheep, without effect. Mr G. B. Melrose prosecuted for the Agricultural Department, and said the authorities looked on the offence as serious, for infected rams would be turned in with a clean flock of ewes, and soon all the latter would be infected. Defendant had explained that he bought the rams privately in the Otorohanga district and believed they were free of lice.

Inspector Melrose also nroceeded against McWhannell and Bryant, dealers, charging them with exposing 300 lice infected sheep for sale. Defendants were dealers and handled manv thousands of sheep annually. They w/ere usually careful, and he had not had to prosecute them before. Defendant® pleaded guilty, but said the sheep had been dipped. They were holding a considerable number of sheep in their holding paddocks at Te Awamutu, and decided to offer some for sale, believing them, free from lice. It was a surprise to find they were lousy. •' His Worship said that as it was a first offence in each, case he would take a lenient view, especially as the inspector had said cas.es such as these are not frequent. A fine of £l would be imposed, with costs 10s.