CATTLE IMPORTATION COMMITTEE. (REPORTS OF; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE, AND APPENDIX.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1876 Session I, I-09

1.—9

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

CATTLE IMPORTATION COMMITTEE. (REPORTS OF; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE, AND APPENDIX.)

Reports brought up 28*7-- July, and 2\st September, 1876, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Mouse of Representatives. Wednesday, the 21st day op June, 1876. Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into and report upon the expediency of prohibiting the importation of cattle into New Zealand, and also into the present state of the cattle in Kaikoura District; fire to be a quorum. Such Committee to consist of Mr. Baigent, Mr. Cox, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. X). Reid, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Wason, and the mover.— (Hon. Sir D. McLean.) Thuesday, the 29th day or June, 1876. Ordered, That the number of the Committee on the Importation of Stock Prohibition be increased to twelve, and that Mr. Harper's name be added thereto. — (Mr. Rolleston.)

INTERIM REPORT. That the Committee is of opinion that the importation of stock from without the Australasian colonies should be prohibited from and after a date to be proclaimed by the Governor and published in the London Times; and that the Government be requested to take the necessary steps as soon as possible to give effect to this resolution. 2. That the Government be requested to have the necessary regulation, to have uniform effect throughout the colony, issued to prevent the landing of any live stock, fittings, fodder, &c, from beyond the Australian colonies. A. P. Seymour, 28th July, 1876. Chan-man.

REPORT. Yotjji Coinrnittee have further to report, in addition to the resolutions contained in the Interim Report of 28th July, 1870, — 1. That if legislative action is required in order to carry out the recommendations contained in such Interim B,eport, a Bill should be forthwith introduced to give effect thereto. 2. That periodical reports should be furnished to the Colonial Secretary of the state of the health of the stock throughout the colony. 3. That no stock should be landed from any foreign parts in any port of this colony Avhere there is not a competent Inspector appointed to examine them. i. That the Government should procure from the neighbouring colonies copies of the periodical reports of their Inspectors of Stock as soon as practicable after the publication of such reports. Cattle Boards to have printed copies furnished to them. I—l. 9.

1.—9

2

5. That the special attention of the Government be directed to the reports from Inspectors in the Colony of Victoria of the month of July, 1876, containing information of the spread of " Fluke " in sheep, and should as soon as practicable issue regulations for the prevention of the introduction of that disease. And upon the question of the present state of the cattle in the Kaikoura District, your Committee have no special recommendations to make. A. P. Seymour, 21st September, 1876. Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE.

Thursday, 13th July, 1876. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present : Mr. Baigent, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Cox, Mr. Reid, Mr. Harper, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Murray, Mr. Wason. Orders of Reference read. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Murray, That Mr. Seymour do take the chair. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 18th July, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present : Mr. Baigent, Mr. Seymour. Mr. Larnach, Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. This meeting was called for the purpose of hearing the evidence of Mr. M. R. Miller, of Napier. From the want of a quorum Mr. Miller could not be examined, but uudertook to communicate with the Committee by letter. (Vide Appendix.) Resolved, That the Committee do adjourn until 11 o'clock to-morrow.

Wednesday, 19th July, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Reid, Mr. Harper, Mr. Rolleston. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Seymour. Mr. Ormond, Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Resolved, That the following telegram be sent to Mr. Naden, Cattle Inspector, Kaikoura :— " What number of cattle do you estimate are now inside the Proclaimed District of Kaikoura ? " (For answer, Vide Appendix.) Resolved, further, That the following telegram be also sent to Mr. Naden :— " Please proceed to Wellington by first opportunity, to give evidence on subject of cattle disease before Cattle Importation Committee. " Wire when you can leave. (Signed) " A. P. Seymour, Chairman, " Cattle Importation Committee." Resolved, That the following telegram be sent to Mr. William Smith, Kaikoura:— " Will you be so good as to come to Wellington per first opportunity ? Cattle Importation Committee desire your evidence." Papers and correspondence with reference to the matter under discussion were then handed in. (Vide Appendix.) Resolved, That the Committee do adjourn pending the receipt of replies to telegrams sent.

Friday, 28th July, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Cox, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Harper, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Wason. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.

3

1.—9.

Mr. Naden, Cattle Inspector, attended and was examined. Mr. Naden states :He does not consider the disease infectious. It is no doubt hereditary, and is propagated according as the cattle propagate. He further states, it is neither infectious nor contagious. It was his wish to have the question set at rest by placing some diseased cattle in the same paddock with clean stock, to see whether the disease spread to the clean cattle. This suggestion has not yet been carried out. The stock in this district (Kaikoura) is inferior in breed, and no fresh stock has been imported ; the cattle, consequently, are in a very poor condition. The greater number of the owners of cattle, if compensated, would be glad to have their stock destroyed. He (Mr. Naden) would suggest thar the stock should be-valued and the owners paid at the rate of one-third of such valuation. He further thinks that it would not pay to boil down the carcases. His recommendation with reference to the destruction of the hides of diseased cattle was of a general character where infectious disease existed. He did not think that in this case this treatment would be necessary. He is of tho opinion that the cost of the compensation for and destruction of the cattle in this district would not exceed between two and three thousand pounds. He states that, after valuing say 300 or 400 of the more valuable class of stock, the remainder, when valued, would represent but a small sum. Resolved, That an Interim Eeport be brought up in the House by the Chairman. (Vide Interim Eeport, p. 1.) The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, Ist August, 187 G. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Pbesent: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Cox, Mr. ltolleston, Mr. Larnaeh, Mr. Seymour. Mr. Murray, Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Wm. Smith attended and was examined. Mr. Wm. Smith states: He is a member and chairman of the Local Cattle Board at Kaikoura. He was not aware of the nature of his examination before this Committee, except by assumption. He had asked the question, but it had not been answered; therefore he was not fully prepared on the subject. Cattle owners were required by advertisement to send returns to Mr. Naden, the Inspector, and not to the Cattle Board. Mr. Naden, therefore, will be the best authority as to numbers. He (Mr. Smith) cannot state accurately, but can only approximate the number of cattle in the proscribed district at fifteen hundred (1,500). There are large numbers of wild cattle in the bush, but these are included in the fifteen hundred. A Mr. Gibson, in this district, alone owns some five hundred head of cattle. This lot of cattle are very nearly distinct from those affected, but the owner is willing to subject them to any test that might be thought necessary. From where these cattle are running, there is an interval of some twenty miles of rough country between it and the land where the infected stock are depasturing. Some Maori cattle, however, from the district where disease was known to exist may have strayed and come in contact with Mr. Gibson's cattle. To effect the destruction of the cattle, he thinks it very necessary that the settlers should co-operate with the Government. He thinks some of the settlers would be inclined to conceal their better class of stock, unless some stringent measures were taken to prevent them. The general opinion is, that the original disease has entirely died out; and the opinion is (in the district), that the existing disease differs from the original, and has resulted from the settlers having inoculated most of their healthy cattle in the district with the disease, with a view to prevent their taking the infection or contagion. Some even say the disease is attributable to poverty and undue exposure. He thinks there is no doubt that the disease teas infectious, but that it has not been so for some considerable time. It is generally considered in the district that the disease was brought into the country by some cattle imported from New South Wales by Mr. Bullen. It was after this date (1868) that the disease spread in the district. There were two or three shiploads imported at that time —in all, about 400 head of cattle. The value of cattle in this district varies, and sales, except of an occasional beast, are unusual. He thinks they would not be sold for a less price than that existing in other districts. The deaths in this district are in a very small percentage as compared with other districts. The stock are poor as a rule, not from disease, but from scarcity of feed, owing to the settlers going in for sheep, and enclosing the land for agricultural purposes. He considers the disease that existed in the district, like cholera and other epidemic diseases has died out. Is not aware that any beasts have died from it or any other disease lately. He thinks the disease existing of late is not infectious nor contagious, but he cannot say whether it is hereditary or not. As regards destruction, the first step would be to clear the cattle out of the bush ; and the way to do that would be to engage persons in and with a knowledge of the locality to hunt out as many as possible, and shoot down the remainder. He thinks that persons in the district could be got to do this, but does not think the Cattle Board would undertake the destruction, but will ascertain. The general opinion of the people in the district is, that the full market value should be paid for all stock destroyed. The loss the settlers have suffered from their district being closed for so long a time, should beconsidered ample sacrifice on their parts. The people in the district would not like to replace their stock, when destroyed, from immediately outside the boundaries of the closed district, but would prefer to get them from a distance, as some think that the disease may also be outside the proclaimed boundaries. He would recommend, that if the Government destroy the stock, that the owners should have the carcases to utilize as they might think fit, and perhaps thereby reduce the compensation. He does not think the result of a public meeting to consider this matter would be in

1.—9.

4

any way satisfactory. He suggests that Patrick Peoples, a dairy-farmer, is a man who could give valuable evidence. He himself would, on his return, if wished to do so, be willing to ascertain the general feeling of the settlers, or consult the Cattle Board on the matter. The Local Cattle Board was not established until some time after the district was proscribed and the original disease had subsided. The Committee then adjourned.

Thttbsday, lOtii August, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Cox, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Harper, Mr. Wason. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Caverhill, of Highfield, with reference to the Kaikoura cattle. Mr. Rolleston gave notice that he would move at the next meeting the following resolution : — That the Government be requested to take steps for the entire destruction of the cattle in the Kaikoura District, paying compensation for the same at per head; such compensation to be fixed by / valuation. The Chairman read report from Mr. Boulton, Chief Inspector of Sheep, Canterbury, on the importation of stock. (Vide Appendix.) The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 15th August, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Pbesest: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Reid. Mr. Cox, Mr. Rolleston, Mr. Harper, Mr. Seymour. Mr. Murray, Mr. Rolleston's motion, of which notice was given at the previous meeting, being put, the Committee divided, — Ayes. ■ Noes. Mr. Harper, Mr. Baigent, Mr. Rolleston. Mr. Murray, Mr. Reid. jlotion negatived. 'Hie Committee agreed that the following rccommedations should be embodied in the Report:— The Committee is of opinion,— 1. That periodical reports should be furnished to the Colonial Secretary of the state of the health of the stock throughout the colony. 2. That no stock* should be landed from any foreign parts in any port of this colony where there is not a competent Inspector appointed to examine them. 3. That the Government should procure from the neighbouring colonies copies of the periodical reports of their Inspectors of Stock as soon as practicable after the publication of such reports. Cattle Boards to have printed copies furnished to them. 4. That the special attention of the Government be directed to the reports from Inspectors in the Colony of Victoria, of the month of July, 1876, containing information of the spread of " Fluke " in sheep, and should issue regulations for the prevention of the introduction of that disease. The Committee then adjourned.

Thuesday, 21st Septesibee, 187 G. The Committee met pursuant to notice. PkESENT: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Harper, Mr. Rolleston, Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Murray, Mr. Wason. The Chairman informed the Committee of his reasons for summoning them, to draw up final Report. Memorial from Local Cattle Board at Kaikoura read by Chairman, and considered. (Vide Appendix.) Mr. Larnach moved, That it is desirable to remove the restriction at present existing, which prevents the removal of cattle from the Kaikoura District. The motion was negatived. A final Report was agreed to (Vide Eeport, p. 1) upon the question of Cattle Importation.

1.—9,

APPENDIX. * :n"o. i. Mr. M. E. Millee to the Ciiaibma.>-, Cattle Importation Committee. Sic,— Napier, 20th July, 1876. Since you were good enough to permit any evidence I could give to be conveyed to you by letter, I have the honor now to avail myself of this, and state that, — For some considerable time past I have been in receipt of letters from various breeders and others in Australia, who are desirous of obtaining stock from us, stating how much they desire that the Government of this colony would carry out the agreement of 1874 to prohibit importation of stock from Europe till such time as the foot-and-mouth disease has been eradicated or sufficiently subdued at home, as till such enactment is made here our stock must be prohibited from entering Australian ports ; or should a port nominally be opened, there would necessarily be such restrictions as to quarantine, &c, so severe as virtually to exclude our stock. Although it is so well known, you will pardon my remarking that the interchange of stock is most valuable to both colonies, and that, especially in our long-wool sheep, the English-derived stock here acquires a larger frame, sounder constitution, and more equal growth of wool than the parent stock : this fact makes the Australian colonies desirous of receiving supplies from us. I venture to state that the Australasian colonies have no\v.within themselves as well-bred stock in sheep or cattle as is to be found at Homo. Victorian pure-bred cattle now equal or surpass the present English stock; and the same applies to New Zealand long-wool sheep. Begging you to refer to the letter of the Chief Inspector of Stock, Queensland, I had the honor of forwarding to Sir Donald McLean, showing the feeling of that colony also on the subject, I have, &c, A. P. Seymour, Esq., M.H.E., M. E. Millee. Chairman, Cattle Importation Committee.

No. 2. Mr. M. E. Milled, to the Hon. Sir D. McLean. Sic, — Napier, 30th June, 1870. I enclose a letter I received by last mail from Brisbane, from the Inspector of Stock there, and my reply. Ido not address you on this matter officially, as Ido not know if it is in your department ; but this I do kuow, from our last conversation on the subject-matter, that you will exert your influence to accomplish the object desired by the correspondence —than which there could be few more beneficial to the interests of stockowners and the colony generally—the passing of the Act prohibiting importation as speedily as possible. I have, &c, The Hon. Sir D. McLean, Wellington. M. E. Miller.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. Mr. P. E. Gobdox to Mr. M. E. Miller. Office of Chief Inspector of Stock, Sic, — Brisbane, sth June, 1876. I have to acknowledge receipt of your monthly circular. It has been suggested by some of our sheepowners that I should bring the following under your notice. At the General Conference of the Colonies held in Sydney in 1873 (at which New Zealand was represented in the person of Mr Vogel), it was unanimously agreed to that all the colonies represented should take powers to prohibit the importation of sheep, cattle, and pigs for two years, or until the disease called "foot-and-mouth disease" had subsided. All the colonies, with the single exception of New Zealand, at once took the necessary powers, and a close prohibition has been since carefully carried into effect. In consequence, however, of New Zealand refusing or neglecting to place an embargo on European sheep and cattle, the other colonies were under the necessity of prohibiting the importation of New Zealand sheep, cattle, and pigs. This has limited our field for the selection of large-framed sheep. Prior to the date of the Conference we trusted to New Zealand almost solely for our supply of heavycarcase stud sheep. At the present time the demand for Lincoln stud sheep in Queensland is considerable, and cannot be satisfied until the New Zealand trade is again opened. Under these circumstances, it has been suggested whether, with risk of introducing foot-and-mouth disease into New Zealand from Europe, and with a sure market for Leicester and Lincoln stud sheep here, it would not be a wise policy for your colony to reconsider the subject of prohibition until such time as the foot-and-mouth disease had so far abated in England as to render importations free from risk of infection. I have, &c, M. E. Miller, Esq., P. E. Gobdon. Stock and Station Agent, Hawke's Bay, N.Z. o t q

5

1.—9

6

Enclosure 2 in No. 2. Mr. M. R. Miller to Mr. P. R. Gordon. Sir,— Napier, 30th June, 1876. I have to hand your letter of oth instant re Prohibition of Importation of Stock from England for a time, till foot-and-mouth disease had sufficiently abated. In reply, I have the pleasure of informing you that several of the provinces of this colony have assumed the power to prohibit importation of any European stock for the future, and, for the past year nearly, the quarantine laws have been so strictly enforced that they have been almost prohibitive. Further, and what is absolutely necessary, a Colonial Act is being prepared, to pass this Session, prohibiting importation to any part of the colony. I was informed by His Honor Sir Donald McLean, who takes a lively interest in this matter, about three months ago, that information had been conveyed to the Agent-General in London that the Government intended to carry this law immediately, so that parties interested would not be tempted to ship stock. I have forwarded to Sir Donald and others interested copy of your letter, which will considerably strengthen immediate action on the subject. A great many of our stock-farmers were in favour of simultaneous action with the other colonies in prohibition measures being adopted in 1874; but still another and influential party could see no danger of infection, after the usual long passage here. However, a powerful reason with many interested for not adopting immediate prohibition was the extreme rivalry existing, not only between various provinces, but of course more keenly by individual breeders competing, to possess and to procure as long as possible the best and most favoured breed of England in long-wools, and also, in a lesser extent, in short-horns. Trusting .these measures referred to will lead to early and useful reciprocity, I am, &c, P. R. Gordon, Esq., Chief Inspector of Stock, M. R. Miller. Brisbane, Queensland.

No. 3. The Hon. Sir D. McLean to Mr. M. R. Miller, Napier. Sir,— Wellington, sth July, 1876. I have to acknowledge receipt of youra of 30th June, enclosing a letter you had received from the Inspector of Stock at Brisbane, and your reply thereto. I have read the correspondence very carefully, and agree with you that it would be beneficial to the interests of stock-owners and the colony generally to pass such an Act as you suggest. I have, &c, M. R. Miller, Esq., Napier. Donald McLean.

No. 4. Answer to Telegram to Mr Nad en of 19th July (vide Minutes). Auckland, 20th July, 1876. About fifteen hundred. Returns are at Kaikoura. Not being compulsory, not quite complete. Will leave here per "Wellington," on Monday next. A. P. Seymour, Chairman, G. Naden, Importation Committee, Wellington. Cattle Inspector.

No. 5. Mr. W. Smith to Mr. L. Harper, M.H.R., Wellington. Sir, — Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura, 22nd August, 1876. I have the honor, by direction of the Local Cattle Board, to forward herewith a memorial from the inhabitants of Kaikoura in reference to the Cattle question, and to beg you to kindly present it as addressed, thereby very much obliging the members of the Local Board and the memorialists. I have, &c, L. Harper, Esq., M.H.R., William Smith, Government Buildings, Wellington. Chairman, Local Cattle Board.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura, 22nd August, 1876. Memorial of the Inhabitants of Kaikoura to the Importation of Cattle Committee, or the Honorable the House of Representatives, Wellington, praying the first to recommend, or the other to cause, the restriction of the exportation of cattle to be removed from the boundaries of the district, and which the Local Cattle Board was requested, by the unanimous resolution of a numerously-attended public meeting, to forward, if approved of by the said Board. Copy of Memorial signed by the Chairman of the Meeting. To the Chairman and Members of the Importation of Cattle Committee, or the Honorable the Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled at Wellington, in the event of the Committee being dissolved,

7

1.—9.

The respectful Memorial of the Inhabitants of TLaikoura humbly showeth, — That this meeting (a large and influential one) of the inhabitants of Kaikoura, held this 18th day of August, 1876, unanimously request the Local Cattle Board to forward this subjoined memorial to the Importation of Cattle Committee, or, in the event of that Committee being dissolved, to the Honorable the House of Representatives, in favour of the prohibition of the exportation of cattle being removed from their district, if the said Board approves of its prayer. 1. That your memorialists are satisfied that there is no disease of an. infectious, contagious, or epidemic character in their district, which opinion they understand is concurred in by the Inspector, Mr. Gr. Naden, veterinary surgeon. 2. That your memorialists are of opinion that the cases of lung disease that have occasionally occurred amongst the cattle in the district are not confined to Kaikoura only, but occur amongst the cattle in the neighbouring districts also, and that they believe them to be more or less general in New Zealand. 3. That your memorialists submit that the percentage of deaths in their district is less than the average loss in other districts which are reported free from disease. 4. That therefore your memorialists are convinced that the destruction of their cattle is not necessary for the security of the neighbouring districts. 5. That your memorialists believing that no evil can result to the neighbouring districts from theirs beincr opened for the exportation of cattle, but that it would remove a very serious and long-standing hardship from your memorialists, they respectfully urge your Committee, or your Honorable House, to recommend, or cause, the restriction to be removed from the boundaries of their district. And your memorialists will ever pray, &c. Signed on behalf of the memorialists of the meeting held 18th day of August, 1876. Henry F. Meadows, M.R.C.S., <fee, Chairman. Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura, 22nd August, 1876. By resolution of the Local Cattle Board passed at a meeting held on the evening of the 18th instant, the foregoing memorial was approved, and the Chairman was requested to forward the same, with copy of letter from the Local Cattle Board to the Inspector, Mr. Naden, and his reply thereto, attached, to Leonard Harper, Esq., M.H.R. for Cheviot,.and beg him to present it to the Importation of Cattle Committee, or, if the said Committee have been dissolved, then to the Honourable the House of Representatives. William Smith, Chairman of Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura. Court House, Kaikoura, 22nd August, 1876.

Enclosure 2 in No. 5. Copt of a Letter addressed to Mr. Naden, Cattle Inspector, by the Local Cattle Boaed. Sir, — Local Cattle Board, Kaikoura, 3rd March, 1876. I have the honor to hand you herewith a copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Local Cattle Board held on the 22nd ultimo, and to beg you, at the instance of the said Board, to give the information asked by the queries contained in it, namely,— Meeting of the Local Cattle Hoard. Court House, Kaikoura, 22nd February, 1876. Present —The Chairman and Messrs. Bullen and Davidson. The Chairman explained that in accordance with the request of the last meeting, he had written to the Colonial Secretary for a copy of the Inspector's Report, which had been furnished. The report was read and considered not satisfactory; and it was resolved, That the Chairman be requested to write to Mr Naden, the Inspector, and beg him to give the Board the information asked by the following queries, namely,—■ 1. Is the disease referred to in your report as existing amongst the cattle in the district contagious ? 2. Since sending in your report, have you seen any instance of contagious disease amongst the cattle in this district ? 3. What is the correct veterinary name of the disease you describe as existing amongst the cattle of the district ? I have, &c, William Smith, G-. Naden, Esq., M.R.C.V.S., Inspector of Cattle, Kaikoura. Chairman. Copt of a Letter received by the Local Cattle Boabd from Mr. Inspector Naden, in reply to the above. Sik,— ■ Kaikoura, March 27th, 1876. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 3rd March. With reference to question No. 1,1 do not consider the disease now existing amongst the cattle in this district contagious, but at the same time I should recommend some experiment to be tried. No. 2. Had there never been any fresh outbreak of disease of a contagious or epidemic character, I should have acted according to the instructions contained in the 21st section of the Diseased Cattle Act of 1871. No. 3. I know of no term in veterinary nomenclature which combines the different forms of chronic lung disease. I have, &c, G-. Naden, Wm. Smith, Esq. Inspector of Cattle, Kaikoura.

1.—9

8

No. 6. Mr. P. B. Botjltost to the Hon. J. Hall. Sib,— Christchurch, 31st July, 1876. As the enclosed report is of great importance to those interested in pastoral pursuits, I hope it may be carefully considered before the Cattle Committee's report is adopted. Flukes and rot of the liver (a colonial term for rot) is included in the Schedule of " The Diseased Cattle Act Amendment Act, 1873." After the warning contained in the report, it is madness to continue to import sheep from Victoria. A number of informations (43) have been laid against Mr. Moore ; but it is doubtful whether we can prove the sheep found in Mr. McFarlane's flock came off the Waikari Run. The Sheep Ordinance is very defective in not making it compulsory on an owner of scabby sheep to have them branded (the flocks) with a distinguishing brand. I have, &c, The Hon. John Hall. P. B. Boultoin\ There is no scarcity of good stud-stock in New Zealand, and of every description. I should not prohibit horses.

No. 7. Mr. P. B. Botjlton to the Hon. J. Hall. Sib, — Christchurch, 2nd August, 1876. Referring to my letter of the 31st ultimo, I find in the Australasian of the 15th instant that the Champion Show for merinos and long-woolled sheep will be held at Hamilton, in the district of that name. See " Victorian Report." I also find in the same paper that proceedings have been taken against a butcher in the District Police Court, Collingwood, for exposing for sale the carcases of thirtysix sheep unfit for human food, being in the last stage of rot —dropsical. This is a warning that should not be overlooked. Our Sheep Ordinance should include " scab " or other diseases of an infectious nature ; for in case of any other disease appearing, the Inspector would be without any authority to act. As yet, this country has been very free from diseases—scab escepted; but from over-stocking, wet seasons, and other causes, diseases of a malignant type may break out. I have, &c, The Hon. John Hall. P. B. Bottltost. By Authority: Geob&e Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB76. Price 6d.]