Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 832, 4 October 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1870.

have received from the Chairman of the Legislative Council committee a jjopy of a draft bill prepared with a view $o legislation by the General Government on the subject of scab and other contagious diseases of sheep, and their prevention. The draft bill is accompanied by a circular letter, calling attention to the matter, and requesting its consideration. It is gratifying to find the general legislature has turned its attention to this important subject, and taken advantage of the recess to obtain as much information as pqssible from those in the Colony who, it may be presumed, have de\ ored atttentiqn to it. Up to the present, each province has its own laws—generally crude and unsatisfactory enough —on the subjects of scab, foou rot, &c. Even our own Provincial Council, which has devoted perhaps quite as much time and attention to the subject as any other Provincial Government, finds its enactments more or less unworkable and imperfect; and it eeems evident enough that a question affecting., as it does, the whole Colony, and not one or two districts merely, should be dealt with as a whole, and in a comprehensive manner, by the general Parliament of the Colony, We append a memorandum showing, ihe main provisions of the proposed Bill, and we feel sure that the committee will favorably consider any suggestions that parties interested in the subject may think proper to make. CMSMOKAKDUM EEFEKBIED TO.] All Provincial legislation in regard to the prevention pt the spread pf disease in sheep, and the registration and use of brands, will cease to be operative from the passing of the Act. l"he Act will then necessarily extend to the whole colony, which, for the purposes of the Act, is to be divided by the Governor into cpnvenient districts. |Tqy eaph distr ct a board of Directors will be elected by the Bheepowners, who for the purposes of the Act, will be the ratepayers within it; and by this Board Inspectors and other pflicer?, except Registrars of Brands, required for the working of the Act, will be Appointed, subject to toe approval of the Qoyernor, and their salaries fixed. In the appointment; of Inspectors, and Registrars of Brands, regard will be had to existing holders of those offiqes under the present law. Qrdinary provisions will be introduced into the Act for regulating the conduct of the proceedings of the Directors. Jfor carrying out such of the objects of the Act as requires the expenditure of money, a general rate is to be levied. It is proposed that, from returns and estimates to' be furnished by the Directors within each district, j] J 9 general rata 6hali be fixed for the whoje puiony by the Governor, and when levied eh,alJ be paid c>ye? to the Colonial Treasurer,

and by him paid out to the Board of Dire,c* ioTB of.the several districts, according to the estimated necessities of ,each district.

Provisions will be made in the Act for the registration of brands, due care being taken that the system of branding shall be such as will prevent fraud and enable persons to ascertain the actual ownership of diseased sheep found in thejr flocks. The duties of the Inspectors will be declared by the A,cjt, and are intended to be, chiefly, keeping in a Registry Book, accessible on payment of a small fee, annual returns of ,the sheep in each district, and publishing such returns; collecting, if so directed, the rates ordered to be levied; visiting and reporting upon runs j taking the necessary steps for preventing the importation of diseased sheep, and performing such other duties as the Act may direct.

Powers will be given to Inspectors for examining the flocks within their districts, and penalties imposed upon pwners of sheep obstructing or refusing to comply with their requirements. The Act will contain stringent provisions for compelling owners of sheep becoming diseased to make it known to the Inspectors, and the latter will be empowered to take measures for securing the cure of the flock, with sufficient penalties upon the owners to make any resistance to the requirements of the Inspectors react severely upon them. Provision will also be made for enabling the Inspectoi a to obtain evidence as to the condition of the flocks within their district. It is also proposed to give to owners or occupiers ot pastoral land power to examine any sheep which they may find being driven across it.

Persons mustering will be required to give due notice to adjoining sheepowners previous to muster.

Stringent measures are proposed to prevent the introduction of diseased sheep by sea. Various penal clauses will be introduced into the Act in order to give full effect pq the provisions imposing duties or restrictions, and all other necessary provisions will be made to give full effect to the main intention.