Correspondence.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 209, 8 January 1894, Page 2

Correspondence.

MORTALITY AMONG LAMBS, AND THE WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD. TO THE UDITDIt OF TIIK STAII. Sir,— ln your issue of January 2nd, I notice a letter from Mr Wilks on the question of lamb docking. I have no doubt those farmers who lost so many lambs through docldng will be very much obliged to Mr Wilks for the information lie lias given them. Mr Wilks has proved conclusivly (to himself) that it is either brutal treatment or unseasonable weather, or a combination of the two, which is the cause of the trouble. A man cannot adduce any proof stronger than his own personal experience. Mr Wilks docked 30 lambs " all by himself," and not one of them died. Given a fine clay, high glass, drying wind, skilful handling, and a red hot copper tool, the risk of docking is reduced to a minimum. For speedy coagulation of the fibrine in the blood I don't think that you could have anything more effectual than a red hot iron. As Mr Willis has come out as an authority on lamb docking, I would like to ask him how it is that in some cases the deaths were almost entirely among wethers. If the treatment and weather were favourable to the ewes, why should the wethers die? With regard to the question as to whether the Wanganui Education Board have the confidence of the people, I beg to differ with Mr Wilks. I believe that the present members of the Board are honourable and intelligent gentlemen who have at heart the best interests of the people whom they represent, and that they do the best they can with the limited funds at their disposal. In the matter of introducing into schools the subjects of agricultural chemistry, surgery, or Botanj-, I have' nothing to I say ; but I think if a little law were introduced it would be a great advantage. A knowledge of > such Acts as Fencing, Drainage, Impounding, Police Offences, Larceny. Resident Magistrates and Supreme Court procedure would be a great blessing to a number of people. It would probably save many a one from being brought before the bar for various offences against society. It would also save an immense amount of money from going into the pockets of tiie lawyers. Seeing that the election of members for the Education Board will take place in March, and that Mr Wilks was a candidate at the last election, his letter has to me very much the appearance of an advance electioneering address. I have no doubt that if he were returned to the Board, Mr Wilks would make it very interesting for the Inspector, Secretary, and the other members of that " Board of nonentities." I am, etc., W. P. Pearce. C'olytou, June 6th, 1894,