STOCK IN QUARANTINE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1847, 5 September 1913, Page 10

STOCK IN QUARANTINE.

.VISIT TO SOMES ISLAND. There is now located at Somes Island ft lino collection of piirobred dairy cattle, representing diilerent breeds which have been drawn from studs outside tlio Dominion. Tliis week u number ot gentlemen interested in stock breeding visited tho quarantine quartors, on a tour of inspection, and a representative of The Dominion accepted an invitation to accompany them on their rounds. The trip was made under the guidance of Mr. Jas. Halligan, Stock Inspector, in charge of the quarantine station. The island, with its bright green pastures, looked at its best. 'In fact, tho growth of: grass thero at this early poriod of tho year surprised the visitors. The fertilising agencies of the sea spray seom to keep tho pasture in excellent' condition. The station is well provided with buildings for housing stock durinfe the prescribed poriod of detention. Several now buildings are in evidence, and it is understood that tho erection of twelve additional roomy loose-boxes is contemplated by tho authorities, to meet tho rapidlygrowing' demand for accommodation. It was noticed in passing that tho island is carrying a fair-sized flock of ewes to keep down the rough feed. Theso arc mostly aged cull sheep, which are kept for tho purpose of providing flesh food for carnivorous animals which nro temporary visitors to the island. However, tho Department first put the. owes to breeding purposes, and tho resulting crop of lambs and wool more than pays for the original cost of the sneep. A number of- lambs are now to.bo seen, and it looks as though there will be a good percentage when mustering time comes along. The particular shipments of stud stoct now on the island have already been described individually in these columns at tho timo of arrival from overseas. There aro now on the island twenty-two head of cattle, representing tho Jersey, Holstein, and 111awarra dairy breeds. Tho Jerseys, which all belong to Mr. Harkness, of "Wellington, and his sons, in Taranaki, number twelve all told, and are all females. These were selected by Mr. R. D. Harkness during his recent visit to the island of Jersey. Although all were purchased from different studS, thoy show a wonderful evenness of type and quality. ■ Several of them have come into profit since their arrival in quarantine. Tho opinion of a well-known steck authority who saiw ihem . was that tlie.y constitute the finest shipment of female Jerseys that he has seen landed in this country, and reflect the greatest credit on the judgment of the man who selected them, having undoubted utility points, type, and constitution. The next group of heifers to como under notice was the five Ulawarra Shorthorns recently brought ovor from Australia by Mr. Chas. Murray, of Marlborough. These came in for a considerable amount of. critical judgment, and while most of those present havo already established herds of other breeds the Ulawarra representatives wero tlio objects of much favourable comment. The doings of representatives of this breed of cattle in New Zealand will bo eagerly watched by breeders, more especially by those who '.favour cattle with a framo capable, of carrying beef in addition to largo milking capacity. . ' Passing on to tho Holsteins, four splendid heifers from tho United States came in for their just meed of praise. Tho first two boasts paraded for inspection wero a pair purchased by Mr. M'Pherson, manager of "Ohmey Farm, Plinimerton. The remaining couple 1 wore selected by Mr. Donald, the wellknown breeder, of Wanganui, wlien in America recently. Last, but by 110 means the least in point of value, the remaining beast to bo inspected was a nine-mo'nths-old bull, also belonging to Mr. Donald. ' The fanciers wero enthusiastic over him, and without liesitation predict a- brilliant. future for himself and his progeny in tho years to come. Mr. Donald was liot present_ to hear tho liigli praise passed on his judgment in selecting this youngster. There was 110 doubt in the minds of those who saw him yesterday that tlio young bull is.of the very best. Ho is a grandson of tho famous cow Pietje 22nd, wlio was imported to America from Holland ten years ago. It is declared to this day that this cow was the best Holstein that ever left Holland. The heifers aro all the offspring of the Pietje family. Mr. Halligan and his staff aro to.be complimented on the splendid condition of tho whole of tlio stock in quarantino. Time was when owners of imported animals found room for complaint regarding the accommodation and caro bc r stowed on their charges at the ' 3 l a ' u '. The most fastidious owner would find it difficult to sustain a similar chargo against the present conditions. One of the visitors, ■ who was of a calculating turn of mind hazarded a guess that tlio value of tlio stock at present on tho island would run upwards of £2000. Several of those present who had an approximate knowledge of tho purchase prices of tho various consignments brought the total cash value, after including freight and incidental charges, to just on double that sum. It will therefore be seen that in money value alono the dairy cattle in quarantine at Somes Island represents a substantial figure. With shipments such as those under notice being continually imported by specialists, there is ovorv prospect that tlio averago quality of dairy cattle in New Zealand will be spoedilv improved, with profit to the individual and the country generally.