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65. Mr. Lance] Do you suppose that the country is free from scab outside ?—I would not say for the Birch Hill country, when people have mustered their sheep without dipping. 66. Do you think it possible that scabby sheep come over this country from Pelorus Sound?— All that bush-country is full of sheep from one end to. the other; but no scabby sheep have been found there. 67. Was there not some doubt about D'Urville's Island?— There was some doubt. I was there with the men on it in September, and again in January. I could not find any scabby sheep on it. 68. There were some rams belonging to Mr. John Kerr, of which some mention is made : can you tell us what that is about ? —That is a very simple matter. Mr. Kerr came to Blenheim and asked me what clause he would have to comply with suppose he bought sheep of Mr. Carter. I told him it was only necessary to give notice to the runholders. That he could drive his sheep bought from Carter, because Carter held a clean certificate. 69. And they were brought from Carter's to Tophouse?—Yes; there was no infected country to go through. They were growling because they could not move without complying with the 29th section of the Act, whereas Mr. Carter could. They had not to comply with that section, holding a clean certificate. Mr. Crisp had a lot of rams for sale. It was really myself that got him a purchaser ; but when I told him he would have to dip under the 29th section of the Act he objected. 70. Mr. Crisp seems to object to everything?—He does object to everything. Then he wanted me to go to Blenheim to get the advice of a lawyer. I told him I knew as much about the matter as a lawyer. I told him if he sent away any sheep without a permit I would lay an information against him. He said he would sell to Messrs. Kerr and Adams, and let them drive the sheep away. 71. Hon. Mr. Walker.] You could not stop him removing the sheep?—l can only enforce the penalties of the Act. I could not Stop him removing the sheep. I can only enforce the penalties for breach of the law. 72. Hon. Mr. Pharazyn.] Does not the Act empower you to put a man on infected property? Yes; if I have permission of the Magistrate under the 33rd section. 73. Mr. Lance."] Then, we hear that Mr. Carter sold some sheep about a fortnight later to Mr. John Kerr ; that they passed through Birch Hill Run, which has a clean certificate, and then the Manuka Island, which is infected ; and he complains of trouble and expense ?—With regard to Carter's sheep, he has a clean certificate for all his flocks, and I cannot do anything with him. 74. Mr. Dodsou.'j But, in driving through to Nelson Province? —The only thing I could do would be to consider what sheep were necessary under section 46, and no scabby sheep were driven through for many months. I did not think it necessary to dip them ; but, in the case of the Birch Hill sheep, they must be dipped under the 29th section of the Act. 75. Did you have any conversation with Mr. Kerr as to dipping the sheep?— Not before starting. Kerr said he would dip them when he got home. 76. Then, it is not true that you only wished them to dip, and difficulties were thrown in your wa y v—There was nothing that I considered it necessary to dip for. 77. You did not wish them dipped? —They were clean sheep, going from a clean run. Moreover, sheepowners would not pay any attention to me if I asked them to do what was not in the Act.' 78. Then, there was no difference of treatment in regard to Carter and Crisp ?—The Birch Hill people were owners of the adjoining scabby run, and they could not remove their sheep unless they dipped under the 29th section of the Act. I consider it my duty to see that the Act is complied with. 79. I would like to be more clearly informed as to whether the Inspector thinks the outside country between Mr. Kerr's, the Manuka, and the Red Hill Block should not be gone over again ?— I think it should be gone over this summer. I wanted them to give me sheep, as I have already stated, to put on the country, so that I could prove whether there are scabby sheep there or not. 80. Although you are pretty well satisfied in your own mind, you would like to be sure ?—Yes ; I would like to see it stocked. The men have been over it again and again and found no scabby sheep. I wanted Mr. Hanna to turn out a lot of sheep and trail them over the country, to go right through; if there were any scabby sheep about these would be sure to pick them up. I got Mr. Kerr to do that, and his sheep were mustered, and neither wild or scabby sheep came in. 81. Would you find it to be your duty to report that to the department?—l think I have reported it. 82. I have not seen it ? —I have sent in my quarterly report. I think I must have stated it in that. Hon. Mr. Richardson : I may state that Mr. Richardson mentioned these same things to me which he has now told to. the Committee : he said even more, I think. 83. Mr. Dodson.] There is no safety until these things which you recommend are done ? —No ; there is no safety till the country is stocked : that is the first thing to be done. It is true the Loan and Mercantile people offered me sheep if I would pay for an}' loss, and dip them that came in scabby. They were also ready to do anything I wanted if I would cancel the lease of Mount Patriarch Run. 84. Hon. the Chairman.] They evidently want to get rid of that lease ?—Mr. Hanna told me on the club steps that if not they must go into Court. He said: "We will do anything you like if you will cancel the lease." 85. Mr. Dodson.] Does not that arise from the state of their uncertainty that the country is not clean ?—I do not think they know anything about it. 86. Crisp must know something about it ?—I do not think that Crisp knows anything about it either, for there are reasons where men having such property are anxious to get rid of the lease. Air Crisp himself admits that what I want to do is proper. 3—l. 11.