AN EXPERT HEAD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 7

AN EXPERT HEAD

FOR AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT

DR. REAKES APPOINTED

Dr. C. J. lleakes, Director of tho Live Stock Division of tiio Agricultural Department, has been appointed DirectorGeneral of Agriculture, and All'. J-'.S. Pope, who for some years has been Secretary of tho Department, and under tlio JJew Zealand organisation the recoguised head of the Department, is to bo Assistant Director-General. The effect of the change will bo that tho fiead of wJiat is prc-oniinoutly a ecientiiic, or at least, an expert Department, will be an expert. Dr. lfeakes joined tho .Depaitment as a veterinary surgeon in 161)7, and in 19011. on Urn retirement of Dr. Gilruth, ho was appointed to his position of Director of thu Livo Stock Division of tho Department, in which branch lie has l)een able to do some work of special value to tho farmers of this country. Probably the most important work of a scientific character that ho did was the pathological part of tho research which led to the discovery of tlie causes of the buffling disease called "bush sickness" in cattle. Dr. Heake; is a graduate in veterinary surgery of the lioyal Veterinary College, London, and in 1910 the University of Melbourne conferred upon him tho degreo of Doctor of Veterinary Science.

' Since the wnr broke out he has had the additional "title, scarcely ever used as applied to him, of lieutenant-colonel, with tho office of Director of Veterinary Services and Remounts. He and his stall have had charge of tho purchase of all horses required for any purpose by the New Zealand Forces, and it is generally admitted that the horses sent abroad from this country have been well bought. He has also had control of the classification, grading, and inspection of meat for export under the requisition scheme, but that lias meant .very little, if any, addition to his regular duties, for ever since fiio establishment of the veterinary branch, ono of the duties of officers of the Department has boen the inspection of meat slaughtered for export. Ho has been the chief executive officer, in control of thu arrangements for the valuation of wool, hiden, and sheepskins under the other requisition schemes.

Dr. Iteakes is not a veterinary surgeon morely, for he has hail some farming training, and his long acquaintance with tho work of the Department, and with farmers, has taught him much about farming in this country. During recent years ho has been controller of the farm connected with the Wallaceville Laboratory, and lie lias directed also other farming enterprises and concerns of the Department.