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Department of Agriculture, Pathological Laboratory, Wellington, The Secretary. 15th August, 1903. Be Black-leg in Taranaki. As Mr. Young has ascertained by his inquiries that this disease has been spread to a certain extent from farms to farms not immediately adjacent in Taranaki through the sale of calves, I think it is extremely desirable to prohibit the removal of calves or cattle under two years old from the affected district. I note on looking up the Act that this disease is not in the schedule. I recommend, therefore, that it be added thereto with the least possible delay. J. A. Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian.

The Secretary. 17th February, 1904. Re Black-leg in Taranaki. The gravity of this disease is increasing, as will be readily appreciated when I state that Mr. Young informs me in a report which I have just received that each year the radius of the disease is extending by from eight to ten miles. Therefore it behoves the Government to take urgent and immediate steps to prevent its further spread within the affected district, and thence to other parts of the colony. As the most feasible means to this end, Mr. Young recommends that the removal of cattle from an area bounded by the Wanganui and Mokau Rivers to other parts of the coast be absolutely prohibited. He recommends particularly that the whole of Clifton, Taranaki, Stratford, Hawera, Patea, and Waitotara Counties be declared infected areas, out of which no cattle under the age of eighteen months may be removed (except for immediate slaughter) under pain of a heavy penalty. I recommended prohibition of moving in my memo, to you of the 15th August last. Within these infected areas, I think it would be wise to provide for the compulsory inoculation of all the young cattle, as this would tend to prevent the spread of the disease and its permanent location on farms which at present are free from disease. In reference to this, Mr. Young says that, while the farmer who is a heavy loser yearly is only too anxious to have his herd inoculated, others whose loss is merely one or two animals treat the matter lightly, and are often liable to spread the disease by selling the remainder of their young stock. The chief methods by which one may hope to prevent the further spread of the disease and minimise its ravages are (1) by declaring the aforementioned counties to be infected areas, (2) by compulsory and free inoculation, (3) compulsory notification. J. A. Gilruth, Chief Veterinarian.

[Extract from New Zealand Gazette, 10th September, 1903.] Declaring Black-leg (Symptomatic Anthrax) a Disease for the Purposes of " The Stock Act, 1893."—Notice No. 808.

RANFURLY, Governor. ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House, at Wellington, this thirty-first day of August, 1903. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. In pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities vested in him by " The Stock Act, 1893," His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby order and declare that the disease known as black-leg (symptomatic anthrax), which affects cattle, is a disease for the purposes of " The Stock Act, 1893," and shall be subject to the regulations made thereunder, and now in force. And it is hereby declared that this Order in Council shall come into force from and after the dateof the publication hereof in the New Zealand Gazette. ALEX. WILLIS, Clerk of the Executive Council. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,425 copies), £2 Bb. 6d.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o4. Price 3d.-]