Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 619, 13 October 1858, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

MEETING OF STOCKOWNERS.

Pursuant to an advertisement which has appeared in our columns for a few weeks past, inviting a meeting of the sheep-farmers of the province of Canterbury, to consider measures to prevent the increase of scab in the province, a large gathering of those interested took place on Saturday last at the Boyal.Hotel, Christchurch. Among the sheep-farmers present were Messrs. Higgins, Rhodes, Studholme.R. Chapman. Bray, Templer, Bead, Lee, Phillips, Mathias, Wilson, Macdonald, Ross, Meldrum, Adams. J. McLean, Rowley, Leech, F. H. Wilson, Westenra, J. Brittan, CaverhilL J. Hall, T. Hall, Beswick, Bridge, Tancred, T. Wilson, Dowling, Brayshaw, Field, Cator, J. Bealey, &c. Hi 3 Honor the Superintendent, and we believe every member of the Executive Council, were present, as also most of the leading merchants, woolbuyers, and others concerned in maintaining this important branch of the industry of the colony in a satisfactory condition. Shortly after one o'clock Mr. R. Higgins, being moved to the chair, proceeded to announce the purpose of the meeting, which he did in brief terms. He could not urge too strongly the importance of the object which had caused them to take counsel together, and he hoped such a purpose as the stoppage of the spread of scab would cause all to act unanimously. For his part he would take occasion to say at once, with respect to one subject that would come under coniideration, namely, the election of jui-in-

spector, that he strongly objected to that course, and recommended the meeting to throw the responsibility on the Government. He called upon , , „ . Mr. R. H. Rhodes, who moved the first resolution, to the following effect: — _ , " That the recent spread of the scab within a portion of this province, owing to the introduc- . tion of diseased sheep from the Province of Nelson, threatens to be productive of calamitous consequences to the pastoral interest of this province, unless energetic measures are adopted, to stop its further progress." \ —He need not enlarge upon the fact stated in this resolution; it was unfortunately too well known that scab had been introduced into the province and allowed to spread, he would not say hero by what means, or whose fault it was. But this was certain, that so long as sheep were brought over into this province from a scabby district that some strict regulations ough^ to be put in force on the border. The present law enacted that sheep must be passed as clean by the inspector before being driven through the province, and must not have been dressed within three months previous to their introduction. Perhaps even one month would be sufficient, but then it would have to be looked to that the regulation was carefully carried out. He knew there were many ways of dodging it. In Australia it used to be the practice, and so it was here now, that the driver of the sheep takes a bottle of poison in his pocket, and as he goes along, the flock being constantly under his eye, when he sees a symptom of disease in any of ] them, he immediately treats the particular animal with the poison. So that, if the inspector comes, he is most likely not able to detect any disease; and when the flock gets into the country, and the scab is discovered at last, it is only one sheep in every case that is scabby, and^ the importer cries out at the hardship of being fined for one sheep, and being declared scabby after having been passed as clean by the inspector. It would always be a great difficulty to make certain whether the sheep had been dressed at the border or not, and he thought attention should be paid to this point. He concluded by reading the resolution a second time.

Mr. T. W. Hall seconded the resolution with out remark.

Mr. Caverhill wished to add something to the suggestion that Mr. Rhodes had made. He thought that the inspector should have in every case established proof from importers over the border, not only that the flock had not been dressed during three months, but also that no sheep had been destroyed out of it for the same period. The resolution was then put and carried, nem. con.

Mr. Studholme, being called on to move the next resolution, which was as follows*:—

"That it is a matter of urgent necessity that the provisions of the existing Scab Ordinance should be strictly enforced, and that such improvement should be madetherein as experience has shown to be required, especially with a view to prevent the further importation of diseased sheep."

—-said that it was well known that scab had spread through the country, and it arose from one of two causes, —either the provisions of the Scab Ordinance were not strong enough, or they had not been carried out properly. He believed that the latter was the true cause. The law might he open to alteration and improvement in sorrie points, particularly as to the introduction and importation of sheep; but he was certain that if it had been properly administered there would not now be a single diseased sheep in the province. Twelve months ago the scabby flocks had been confined to the district north of the Ashley,,but now by driving sheep through the province the disease had spread and been brought as far as Timaru. He attributed this result entirely to the negligence of the inspector for the last twelve months. That officer had made his berth a perfect sinecure; he would never go to inspect a flock unless he was sent for, and then

he had to be almost dragged down; and after all he would inspect the flock very loosely. But it was not sufficient to lay the blame merely on the want of inspection. The Government was equally to blame with the inspector for not attending to their duties. Numerous verbal complaints had been made from time to time. It had heen put in as a sort of excuse that no special complaint had been made; but it should be remembered that there was a great deal of difficulty and unwillingness on the part of private persons to incur the odium of sending in formal complaints. It was sufficient to throw blame on the Government that the monthly returns of the inspector had not been rendered for eighteen months past. This state of things had heen allowed to continue too long. The inspector himself did not deny that he had neglected his duties, but he asserted as a justification that when he took the office the runholders had guaranteed him £500 a year, and as this amount had never been made up, he considered himself justified in refusing to perform the duties of the. appointment. Now, he (Mr. S.) had never heard of this guarantee, and he did not believe that such an arrangement had ever been proposed. Even if it had, it did not excuse the officer for refusing to do his work while he drew the salary. Mr. Ross, insecondingthe resolution, took the same view as the previous speakers had done of the state of the case and the causes which had led to it. The whole blame was due to the the fact the provisions of the ordinance had never been carried out; the law had, remained positively a dead letter. It wav the duty of government to see those provisions administered and that duty had been shamefully neglected: no step had been taken to perform it. The officer appointed to inspect the flocks of the province had rules laid down for the performance of his duties at the time of his appointment, and it was easy enough to carry them out; it only remained for the present government to see that they were performed. The charge which had occurred in the holders of office lately might be Isome excuse, but besides that there were ways of evading a charge always found on the part of the government. He supposed that it waß the duty of the Superintendent himself to look after the conduct of an officer like the Inspector of Sheep, but there was no possibility of reaching that high official, for by the forms with which the government was surrounded there was always some 'buffer' or other shoved forward by

which a blow was avoided. There was a great deal of complaint that. the. ordinance had not been carried out, and much cause for it, and it behoved the government to see to it for the-future But, as to the other part of the resolution which went on to say " that such improvements should he made therein as experience has shown to lm required," seeing that the, law had' not been pro perly tried, it was impossible to say whether or not it could be improved. He hoped if there were any suggestions to be offered on the sub joct they might be brought forward, and the duty of consideration left to a committee, where they might best he considered Mr. Leech wanted to know how it was that the law did not work equally ? One person had his flock pronounced scabby, and was obliged to enter into a stringent bond to have thorn cleaned Another person was known to have bought a flock of scabby sheep a bargain, and had neverbeen asked to enter into a bond at all. (Some dispute here arose among some of those present as to the facts alluded to by Mr. Leech.) ' The Kesolution was then put and carried, ?t em con.

Mr. Tbmpler said that the third resolution had been given to him to propose. The necessity of taking active steps was obvious, and need not be enlarged upon. The. great .'thin* was to know the true cause of the spread of ihe disease, before determining upon the remedy Some causes had been already stated, and very truly; and the resolution which he had to propose was one which, he thought, aimed directly at prevention of the evil. It was as follows:—

"That the extent of country over wj-.i,;, pastoral operations in this province are nowspread, renders necessary the appointment o*' two inspectors of sheep, one for the north".:-!; the other for the southern portion of the >h-<:----vince. That looking to the important of <-'. curing for this office persons of- high eharaaer and ability any increase in the present rate inpayment which may be necessary for that purpose should be made without delay."

—The district might besaid at present tobcabou:, 200 -niles-in length, and it might be frequently necessary for the inspector to be summoned from one end to th<^ other—or to be wanted at both ends at the same time. It was obviously impossible for one man to. do the whole duty. As to the expense likely to be incurred by a double appointment, he would only say, that one flock breaking -out in scab would entail as much cost as the whole yearly salary of an inspector. The salary therefore was not at all an object in comparison with the advantages which would accrue by the duty beiiig well done.

Mr. W. K. Macdonald had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. All would admit that the personal character of the officer to be appointed was the first consideration. For his part, he thought fully as much of high principle as a qualification for the inspector of sheep as of acquaintance with the disease itself. Honesty of purpose was the first requisite.

Mr. Rhodes wished to remark oil''this resolution that the original regulations for the guidance of the inspector required him to call at every station and report upon the sheep belonging to it. : This would be simply irhpossible when the disease had spread'over the whole country, and the presence of the inspector was required in a hurry in perhaps the most distant district. As far as regards the past, he could affirm that some stations had never been visited at all.. Even his own, where he had the charge of a great number of sheep, was only visited once during the four years, and then it was a flying inspection in the slaughter yard. He would therefore express his most hearty concurrence in the proposal to appoint a second inspector to take a portion of the district.

The resolution was then put from the chair and carried unanimously.

Mr. J. Hali, moved the 4th resolution to the following effect:—

"That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that the selection of persons for the above office should be made by the Executive Government and not by a majority of a public meeting of stockowners. That if the services of properly qualified persons cannot he secured within this province, steps should be taken for obtaining such Services from the neighbouring colonies."

—He felt sure that all stockowners would be glad to see members of the Government present at the meeting, that they might have an opportunity of hearirig.for themselves what jihey (the Government) had to say on the subject. He confessed that he moved the present resolution in reply, as it were, to the advertisement from the Pro • vincial Secretary, callinguponthesheepfarmers to select a person for inspector. This was a course which he deemed an objectionable one to be taken. Perhaps it was true that the Government wished for advice, and were anxious to obtain the opinion of the stockowners on the question. But it the stockowners at large declined to express an opinion, the Government would have to take the responsibility on themselves, which he thought the most rational and most, wholesome way ot doing it. Large as the present meeting was. it could not represent the whole body of the stockowners, and the majority of their opinions con'l' not be taken for those of the body at lar^e. liesides, a public meeting was not the place wlMl' the credentials and character of a I_'nn,^ lU>..' could be properly enquired into. -.Ag«i'i, sj'". owners would he more than men if, in the c!s<>"'^ of an inspector, they were riot io some exit'^ biassed by personal predilection.tor some -P»e candidate. It was better for. all purposes that the appointment should be made^ W those who in case of error could he, J not hanged, at least directly open to blame, and would be responsible tor any «j!^ of remissness on the part of their servant. j* L trusted that on this resolution heing Put ;" meeting would give a decided opinion one wiJ or other, aud that Government would conw with the wish expressed. As to obtaining niti from the neighbouring colonies, he would s this, that it was of the utmost importance top* good men. It was no use making a law, it w°*. remain merely a dead letter, unless a perfcw J efficient man were found to give effect to it. man was wanted who would take an interes it the work and carry it out thoroughly. I<; w°' therefore be a most prudent course, if a c°* petent person were not to be found i» the P

vince ready to take the office, to search in the neighbouring provinces and colonies for the best man to he found, and .spare no pains to obtain hi 3 services. He hoped that suggestions, if there ■were any, onthisand other points would be laid before a committee appointed to consider them. Mr. Studholme seconded the resolution. Mr. Damfiek made some rather lengthy observations on the manner in which the Scab Ordinance had been originally framed and the intentions of the Council in passing it. He agreed that it was important that the appointment of Inspector should emanate from the Government, and he desired to say that in his opinion the officer carrying out the law was not to blame for the spread of scab, so much as the law itself. . . The resolution being put was unanimously adopted. * Mr. J. McLean rose to propose the fifth resolution: —

" That a committee be appointed for the purpose of conferring with the Executive Government upon the modifications required in the existing law, and upon the steps which it may be desirable to adopt with a view to its being vigorously and efficiently carried out. That such committee consist of Messrs. Templer, Studholme, Ross, Higgins, J. Hall, Rhodes, Macdonald, and the mover."

—It was not his intention to make many remarks upon the wisest course to be adopted with regard to improvements in the existing law, this duty would rest chiefly with the committee. In the main he agreed with the two previous resolutions. As to the second inspector, he fully concurred, for he believed that it would take one man's entire time to watch sheep arriving. He also believed that the law if rightly and strictly carried out was quite sufficient and •contained all necessary provisions. But the administration of it had been shamefully neglected. He must say, however, that sheepfarmers were themselves a good deal to blame in the matter, for not bringing definite complaints against the officer in cases which occurred within their notice. [Messrs. Macdonald and Studholme he-re stated that on two several occasions they ha 1 made such complaints.] A3 to getting a man from the neighbouring colonies, he rather objected to that course. The appointwas as good as vacant, and a man was wanted to fill it once; aud he thought a man could be found quite equal to the duties here, without going further. Whatever man was appointed, at any rate, if lie did not proceed to carry the law vigorously into effect, he should at once be made to give place to some one who would do so.

Mr. R. Chapman seconded the resolution, which was at once put and carried nem. con.

The series of resolutions prepared having been passed, Mr. J. Hall, moved a vote of thanks to the chairman.

Mr. Ollivier, (Provincial Secretary) wished to make some observations on the remarks which fell from Mr. McLean and some other speakers, as to the object of the government in publishing the advertisement. A misapprehension seemed to be prevalent that the government proposed to appoint that man, and that man only, who should gain, most votes at the meeting summoned. But. it was not so. .. Certainly the fact of one person receiving a large number of votes would amount to a very strong recommendation, and so far was important, but there were other considerations to be taken into account. If it was supposed that the government would give the appointment simply to the man who had a mere majority, it,was a great mistake; they would listen to all recommendations as to fitness, but if two candidates had about equal support, it would become the duty of the government to select the man most likely in their opinion to fill "the office best. To turn to another point, he was not aware that any complaints had been made to the government which had not been taken up immediately, by the inspector being ordered to proceed and act accordingly without delay. The time for enquiry into these matters would be at the meeting of the Council, when the reports of the inspector would belaid before that body, and it would be seen whether the duties of the office had been efficiently performed. As to the choice of an inspector, though this meeting had declined to make a selection, government would be prepared nevertheless to listen to suggestions made by stockowners on the subject. The meeting which was called for next Saturday would therefore be held, though in the present state of things it seemed almost unnecessary.

His Honor the Superintendent said that he had come to the place of meeting in the expectation of finding the business concluded, but happened to arrive just as the resolution was adopted which affirmed that the appointment of an inspector should vest in the Executive Council, without reference to the body of stockowners. This conclusion he might look upon in the light ■?f a great compliment to himself, intimating as it did that full confidence was placed in his Government by those whose interests were so much at stake in the matter. But, in fact, the course which had been followed by the Government ""jis the result of an earnest desire on the part of himself and his advisers to obtain the advantage of experience which they themselves ""I not possess. He was not a high authority upon the question of scab in sheep, nor was the Provincial Secretary well acquainted with ™c subject, nor, he believed, were any of the incentive Council. It was therefore necessary, tor the proper choosing of a man to fill an office whose duties involved matters of which the members of the Government had no personal .*Penence,to take advice from some one who sol?' i l° must; t!,erefore be a sheep-farmer himam V t!ien hecame a question—to whom should • imiKiation be made?—whose advice should-be •isvl ln the ,natter?—-and why should one be tel! i aud nofc auother? It was impossible to fort* Was t,le best person to advise, to prick con .'° mau w,'° was ,no9t competent. The only or/in- 30 t0 l>e taken was evidently to obtain the t ) lr ; 10n. of the whole body generally as expressed uv'e t»' t,IG maJority- Ifc was Wite absurd to ehoic r a raeetin& would be biassed in the caiidi i ? an ins Pector by private esteem for a ritv nf '? r to "lmagi«e that the personal populatoeut 1 maividua* would lead to his appointthornn 11 a body of sheep-farmers who were iougwy cognizant of their own interests. He

believed them to be quite capable of choosing the best man to bo appointed by the Government. With this end, he had called the meeting, hoping to be guided by their advice, which they now declared against. He should, however, act upon any sound advice which he might receive, however he might gather it. He would remind the sheep-farmers that after the appointment was made, it remained with themselves in a great measure to see that the officer performed his duty. (Cries of No.) Ho begged pardon,—-let them hear him out. It was impossible for him to be riding round the country at the heels of the inspector to see that the flocks were properly overhauled, but those among whom that officer's duties lay were perfectly competent to point out to the Government if he did not do his duty. And he would remind them further, that it was impossible for the Government to entertain any charge against its officers, unless it contained a specific complaint He pledged himself that if a specific charge ! were brought, Government would give every I facility for its being investigated and properlydisposed of; if a serious change was proved, the officer would be dismissed incontinently. 'But if the stockowners left the appointment altogether in his hands, he would not refuse to take it; and he would then look to them to assist him in carrying out the provisions of the law. Mr. Ross said that it was all very well in theory to require that complaints should be laid in a certain form, but practically it could not be done. He knew very well that no appeal was attended to, without it was fairly written out, and tied up in a red tape; but it was absurd to expect this from men who were not in a position to know the exact form in which their complaints should be laid. It was the duty of the Government to look after their officers, and it was too bad to throw the duty upon the runholders, and to make them responsible for the efficient discharge of the officer's duty. He himself was ready if he knew of a cause of complaint to bring it forward any day, but he could not be told that no charge would be attended to unless put in writing. [Mr. Ollivier interrupted the speaker to ask whether he (Mr. R.) himself had not had immediate attention paid to some complaints lately brought forward by him.] He admitted the fact alluded to ; they had received immediate attention from the Government, and the inspector had been ordered to attend to it, but that gentleman had not thought proper to comply. He (Mr. R.) had no interest in opposing the Government; he war quite ready to support them whenever they were found to be doing their work. All he wanted was that the work which it was so important to do should be done; if it was, he was glad of an opportunity of saying in this meeting that his support should be given to the Government, j But when he found that the heads of the Government were able to take a five months' holiday and had time to go to the North, and on returning had to declare their ignorance of the state of things at home, he must blame them strongly for neglij gence in not looking after so important a part of the affairs of the province.

His Honor the Superintendent thought Mr. Ross's remarks were scarcely in good taste at the present meeting. If he really wanted to know whether the Government were to blame or not he would be able to obtain all information at the sitting of the Council; until he was able to say that the business of the province had been neglected, it was scarcely proper in him to make such strong accusations publicly against the Government. He would ask them to draw a distinction between making specific charges against the Government, and making them in formal language and tied up in 'red tape' as it had been insinuated was required. He wanted nothing more than a definite charge, which would be a worthy ground of accusation against an officer who ought not to be exposed to attack upon every complaint, whether capable of substantiation or not.

The Rev. J. Wilson remarked that the Government overlooked the fact that many serious evils arose in cases where a specific charge could not be laid; for instance where the officer kept strictly within the law and did as little as he possibly could. There were many cases such as this where Government might interfere, though they had not definite information before them in black and white.

The discussion here assumed a somewhat conversational tone, and the meeting shortly afterwards broke up.

Business will be stopped on the Lyttelton Jetty to-day, at noon, to allow of the works for the extension being proceeded with. These works will be commenced, should no obstacle intervene, on Thursday.