SALE OF DISEASED PIGS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 12

SALE OF DISEASED PIGS

YOUNG FARMER FINED. ■ Horace E. Ordish, farmer, of Dalefield, Carterton, was charged on the information of the Stock Department with selling three pigs suffering from demodectic mange.

Mr. T. C- Webb. Inspector of Stock, appeared for the Department, and Mr. S. Moynagh for Ordish. Mr. Webb said that the pigs had been slaughtered on the defendant’s farm about April 26, and arrived in Wellington about two days later. They were seen by the Government Meat Inspector and condemned as being unfit for human consumption. The animals had been suffering from demodectic mange. William John Walker, Government meat inspector, Wellington, said it was his duty to inspect all pigs sent into Wellington. On April 28 he went to Tucker’s shop and found the carcasses of three pigs, which he did not consider were fit for human consumption. The carcasses were diseased, one being particularly bad. Tho carcasses were hung up in the open shop. He condemned them and refused to allow compensation. Francis .1. Tucker, butcher, Cuba Street, said that he received three pigs from Ordish on April 28. He had bought the pigs from Omlish subject To inspection, and upon inspection they were condemned.

This closed the case for the prosecution. >

James Ordish, the father of the defendant, said he had been rearing and slaughtering pigs for a good many years. He remembered killing three pigs, and ho scalded and dressed them. They were a cross with bush pigs, and were very rough. The p(gs had been on hard grain feed. There was nothing in the appearance of the carcasses to lead him to believe that the pigs had suffered from mange. There was an inspector of stock at Carterton and a veterinary surgeon at Masterton. .The latter had a very big district to attend to, and it was not always convenient to secure liis services. He was aware of the fact that the carcasses sold to Tucker would have been inspected, before they were offered for sale. There was nothing to be seen on the pigs when they were alive, and when they were slaughtered there was a rash apparent, which witness put down to the change of food to hard grain. He did not think they had suffered from mange.

Harold E. Ordish said that he was the owner of a farm quite close to his father’s. He assisted his father in killing the pigs, and he did not' notice anything more than what looked like a rash. He noticed one of ths carcasses was a little rougher than the others and he nut it down to the wild breed. Alexander Milligan, veterinary surgeon, said that demodectic mange was uncommon amongst pig', but was common amongst cats and other animals. The Magistrate, after reviewing the evidence nt some length, said that he must convict the defendant. Ho took into consideration the fact that the defendant was a young'man and n returned soldier who had recently embarked in the business, and on that account he would make the penalty a. light one. Ordish was fined 20s. and 7s. costs.