THE “ANCONIA” SHEEP-DIP FRAUD.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XVIII, Issue 4, 21 April 1919, Page 225

THE “ANCONIA” SHEEP -DIP FRAUD.

Farmers should .appreciate the. promptness with which this fraud was exposed, and the thoroughgoing manner in ' which the case was followed up by the New Zealand police authorities, ending in the man Harrison being convicted and sentenced to six. years’ imprisonment. The case involved the extradition of Harrison from Canada, one of the victimized storekeepers being sent from New Zealand to give evidence in this connection in addition to the police officer. Witnesses brought from Australia to supply evidence of Harrison’s dealings in that country included a South Australian storekeeper to whom in 1917 Harrison (under an alius) had sold “ Merino ” dip, a worthless preparation similar to the “ Anconia.” Australian detectives were also brought , over and unfolded an amazing past career of fraud, &c., on the part of the accused. In regard to Harrison’s brief New Zealand campaign, the police estimate of the sum obtained by him by selling the “ Anconia ” dip is over £1,100. Their, investigations also show him to have obtained fully £1,000 worth' of credit from business people in the North Island between December, 1917, and March, 1918. This credit covered not only, printed . matter, materials for making the “ dip,” &c., but also the supply of office equipment, carriage of goods, hire of motor-cars, and many other items. It may be mentioned that Harrison escaped the meshes of the law in connection with the “ Merino ” dip business in Australia, a fact which makes the result of the New Zealand- proceedings all the more creditable and satisfactory.

The following extracts from a report of the Supreme Court proceedings at Auckland last month may be here recorded: —

. Alfred J. Parker, Government Analyst for the Auckland District, said that he had made qualitative analyses of the contents of various packets of “Anconia ” dip submitted to him, giving special attention to"value. Some of the powder was yellow and some brown. The yellow powder was composed of sulphur, carbonate of soda, and salt. The brown composition was composed of sulphur, carbonate of soda, salt, ground limestone, and, a trace of organic matter. He placed no value at all upon the mixtures as sheep-dip or disinfectant. The value of the contents of each packet was about 6d. A sample of “ Merino ” dip he had analysed was composed of salt, ground limestone, sulphur, and pollard. • 1

James S. Maclaurin, Dominion Analyst, said that the eleven packets of “ Anconia ” dip which he had analysed formed them

selves into three groups. Group I consisted of ground limestone, sulphur, tobacco-dust, carbonate of soda, and salt ; group 2, of sulphur and carbonate of soda and group 3, of sulphur, salt, and carbonate of soda. The only insecticide found was tobacco-dust in group 1. The proportion of tobacco when the dip was mixed according to directions was 1 in 5,000. This was 200 times less than the quantity specified by the English Board of Agriculture. There was not sufficient tobacco in his sample of “ Anconia ” to make it of any value as a sheep-dip. In groups 2 and 3 there was nothing of value,’ in the strengths prescribed, for sheep-dipping purposes. The cost of the materials in the packets. in group 1 was about 3d.; in group 2, qd.; and group 3, 8d. All the packets were branded the same.

John L. Bruce, Assistant Director of the Live-stock Division of the Department of Agriculture, described tests of the dip which had been carried out by him, and stated that it had not been of the slightest use in destroying ticks and lice. With this powder part of the substance sank to the bottom, and part floated, leaving the water practically clear. . The -evidence of Mr. Bruce was corroborated by Hugh Munro, Inspector of Stock, and Herbert W. Carbury, Acting Officer in Charge of the Veterinary Laboratory, Department of Agriculture.

Humanistic entomology has been neglected in New Zealand in the past, but this aspect of entomological science is now being developed in order to aid the practical man in the suppression of insect foes. Some of the problems being taken up are the ecology of the orchard, field - crop, and vegetable insects. An investigation into the mosquitoes and other blood-sucking forms in relation to - disease is well in hand. Our aquatic-insect fauna' and its status as nourishment for fresh-water fish is an important feature awaiting the investigator. In the future new phases of entomology will occur ; . for instance, as the areas now being placed under exotic timber-trees expand so will the

danger of insect attack increase.—

—David Miller.