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sheep straying upon their runs. I am sure they have done all they possibly could to clean their flocks, but the difficulty has been in mustering. These runs are equally as bad to muster as the runs in Marlborough District. I consider it is necessary to inflict a penaltv. The flockowners would always be bringing these cases forward if they were too leniently dealt with. It is imperative to carry the Act out with a firm hand to stamp out this scab disease. A few examples made will have a great effect; I notice it already by the fines inflicted last week. In these cases of Messrs. Barker, Doull, Loisel, and Cook and Seymour, I have the honour to recommend that, owing to the extenuating circumstances, a remission of one half of the fine might be made in each case, should you consider it prudent to do so. Mr. Brassey engaged as counsel for the prosecution, his fee being £3 3s. in each case. Edwaed Oebell, Inspector of Sheep.

Sie,— 20th August, 1882. About eighteen months since I was fined by the Gisborne Sheep Inspector in the sum of £82, in consequence of my sheep being scabby. The circumstances of the case are as follow : The year previous to my being fined my sheep were dipped eight times, while my neighbour's sheep, which were rotten with scab and had not been dipped by their owners, escaped the fine, but I dipped them since at my own expense, for my own safety. Under these circumstances I consider that the sum I was fined should be returned to me. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Esq. P. Bab3keb.

Presented by W. Mackenzie, Ist September, 1882. To His Excellency the Goveenoe of the Colony of New Zealand, in Council assembled. The humble petition of David Doull, formerly of Poverty Bay, now of Wyndham, Otago, showeth:— 1. Your petitioner having bought Wainui Eun, took delivery of it in June, 1878, and found that, contrary to his expectations, it was infected with scab. He immediately dipped all the sheep on the run twice, and as it was midwinter and the fleece well grown, an immensely greater amount of dipping material had to be purchased, and also the cold after dipping caused the death of great numbers of the sheep. 2. To prevent the infected sheep from straying and spreading infection, he, at great expense that otherwise would have been unnecessary, had. to erect twelve miles of new fencing, and repair ten miles of fencing that was found insufficient when the run was delivered. 3. As one-third of the run was covered with bush and scrub, and infested with wild dogs, the mustering of the sheep for dipping purposes was extremely difficult and expensive. 4. He engaged a man of great experience to see the dipping done properly. This man by an unfortunate accident had his foot and leg severely scalded in the dipping-tanks, and lay for months before he got better, and during this time your petitioner had to pay him wages. 5. Your petitioner was prohibited from breeding while his sheep were scabby, and on this account he lost an increase to his flock that might fairly be estimated at three thousand five hundred lambs. Your petitioner reckons that in cleaning his run he lost on the whole nearly £500 for dipping material, nearly £500 for labour in mustering and dipping, about four thousand five hundred sheep killed in the process of mustering and dipping, and the above-mentioned three thousand five hundred lambs reckoned under the head of increase, and before your petitioner got a clean certificate he was fined £156 12s. sterling, for having scab on his run, and as he has received word from Mr. Allan McDonald, M.H.E., that the Government has agreed to refund said fine owing to the hardship of the case, and been instructed by him to apply at once for the refund of it; he therefore humbly prays you to consider his case and refund said fine, or grant such other relief as you may deem just and proper. David Doull.

Memoeandum from Edwaed Oebell, Inspector of Sheep. The Under-Secretary, Stock Branch, Wellington. 4th August, 1882. The enclosed is an application for a refund of fine under the 23rd section of " The Sheep Act, 1878." Mr. Seymour, on the Ist October, 1880, having been fined £100 and by the advice of Mr. Allan McDonald, M.H.E., Mr. Seymour makes this application. It is rumoured here the Government will return one-half of the fine upon application. Edwaed Oebell, Inspector of Sheep.

Sie, — Gisborne, 4th August, 1882. On the sth October, 1880, Mr. James Seymour was fined in the Eesident Magistrate's Court £100 and costs for having scabby sheep amongst the flock at Whangara, which sum I paid. I hear that the Government are willing to refund the sums paid as fines, and beg to make application for that paid by me—viz., £102, and shall feel obliged by your forwarding my application to the head of your department. I have, &c, E. Orbell, Esq., Sheep Inspector. Chas. Seymoue, Agent for James Seymour.

Sie, — Department of Justice, Wellington, 10th August, 1882. I have the honour to inform you that Mr. James Seymour has applied for a remission of the fine of £100 inflicted upon him in October, 1880, for a breach of " The.Sheep Act, 1878." lam directed to inquire whether you see any objection to remitting this fine, or"any portion of it. I have, &c, C. J. A. Haselden, The Eesident Magistrate, Gisborne. (For the Under-Secretary.)

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