DISMISSAL OF SCAB INSPECTORS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 531, 21 June 1872, Page 3

DISMISSAL OF SCAB INSPECTORS.

A meeting of sheep-owners took place at the Dnustan Hotel, Clyd,e, on Friday the J4th instant, to take into consideration the action of the Government in dismissing the Sheep Inspectors. j t . The following gentlemen attended the meeting, or were represented by their proxies, viz.- Messrs Henry Campbell, 0 f \Vanaka Station ; dTO - GrClaaaford, Matakamii Station ; It, M. Turnbull, .Moutere Station ; W. A. Low, Galloway Station; J. Handyslde, Lauder Station ; L>. Sironach Ida Valley Station ; A. Holland, Blackstone Hill Station; J. Loughnan, Mount Pisa Station; J. C, Low, Fern-hill Station'; H. t> Thomson, Wanaka West Station; E. R. Anderson, Teviot Station ;• W.* Fraaer, Earnscleugh Station ; John Howell, Fairi;„ht Station ; Alexander MT.ean, Ardgour Station ; C. C. Boyes, Kawarau Falls Station ; A. C. Thomson, Arrow, and E. Stewart, Hawksbum"'Statiou. Mr. Henry. Campbell was* unanimously called to the Chair, and W; A- Low to.be Secretary to the meeting. gTho Chairman briefly stated the purpose for which the meeting was called, after which a general discussion'ensued, during which it was pointed out that in the’faV seuce of paid Inspectors, in the present state of the Law, sheep could only be travelled from one part of the Country to another on sufferance, and that honorary Inspectors were not inclined to undertake the regular duties of Inspectors. The experience of Victoria’-was’referred to/andjit was stated that from the infection of one flock in that Colony, scab spread to such an extent, that it was questionable, whether it would ever he possible to extirpate it, so'exteasive was the region, and so numerous the'flocks ove r which it 'now held sway. Several letters were read bearing on this subject. Sotn e writers in the Australasian the total destruction of scabby flocks, looking to this as the only remedy for the disease. and pointing out the necessityferimmediate action being taken, in order to prevent the reputation of Victorian preserved meats being irretrievably damaged, in the eyes of the British purchaser. Through a mistaken economy, r amljmany‘ years of mismanagement, the Victorian government has been landed in an expense of no less than'ls,ooo; a year tor*lnsp(ctors salaries, alldindirectly the loss to sheep-owners and to the o ouutry is enormous. - . The following resolutions were then "sub. mitted,the meeting and carried unanimously. 1. Moved by Mr. IHandysitte, and sc condcd-hy Mr. Glassford—“That the sheep, oavnersof the Dunstan 'district, view, with great alarm, the recent action of the Govenuhent in dismissing the Sheep Inspector thereby leaving nearly three quarters of a million of sheep unprotected from disease.’’ f2. Moved by Mr. W.* A. Low, [and seconded -by Mr. Mr, I).’’Stronach—‘‘That this mcctmg.considora that,-although sheep ownersare primarily interested, the question of scab and other diseases, amongst the flocks of.this Colony, interests the public, inasmuch as there Ls,’great danger the flocks, sooner or later, becoming in" fected, and should this*'come to’pass, the result will ho disastrous from several public points of view. Firstly—There is a great probability of the public having to subsist on scabby mutton, or upon the flesh Of sheep rendered loathsome, and probably deleterious, through the action of the poisons used in the cure.of the disease. Seeiuidly—ln the event of disease obtaining a holdtoany extent intheProviaceitwillhave a most injurious effect upon the sale of our preserved meats in Great Britain, which have hitherto maintained a high reputation and thus tend to contract and destroy the operations of the various Companies now at work, to throw out of employment a large amount of labour and capital, and-to strangle what promises to be a|flourishing industry. Thirdly—The prevalence of disease in the flocks, may ultimately reduce the export of wool fifty percent, on the quantity.at present produced, besides," rendering it less valuable, and entailing 'in its production a vastly.increased .expense, which, unless the Government might see its way to a great reduction hi the present assessment oh sheep, might meanjjabsolute ruin to those directly concerned.” H.gMoved by Mr. Turnbull, and seconded by Mi’. Handyside—“That this meeting condemns the dismissal by the Government of the sheep Inspectors, and {the attempted transfer of their functions to honorary Inspectors, and would strongly impress upon the Government the fact, that in .the of scab breaking out in one, .or more centres of the district, honorary 'lnspectors couldnotpnssibly.be expected to devote the time and attention necessary to secure proper steps be. ng taken for the cleansing of the sheep, and the protection of adjoining flocks.” 4. Moved by Mr., Stronach, and seconded by Mr. Glassford—“ That tlxis meeting has heard with alarm, that scab has broken out, within the last week, in a flock adjoining this district,, and would therefore most earnestly request the -Government to take immediate steps to reappoint the Inspectors, .so that the disease may he localised, and prevented from spreading broadcast over the interior, where, if once established, it would, from the broken nature of the country, bo physically impossible to'eradicate it.” .5. Moved by Mr. Glassford, and seconded by Mr. Low—“ That a letter be addressed to his Honor the Superintendent setting forth the grievance complained of, and containing a copy of the resolutions passed at this meeting, .and, if necessasy, that a deputation should, wait upon the Government, for the purpose of further enforcing the views of the meeting on this important subject.” G. Moved by Mr.‘Stronach, and seconded by Mr. Tnmbull—“ That the thanks of this meeting be accorded to Mr, Campbell for the trouble he has taken in connection with the object of the meeting, and- for his conduct in the Chair, 1 ■