The Stock Act.

Manawatu Herald, 14 December 1893, Page 2

The Stock Act.

Colonel Gorton has written the following letter to a contemporary : — Sir,— As lam afraid many of the farnieis will not take the trouble to read the Stock Act, 1&93, which comes into force on the Ist January next. I should like to draw their particular notice through your eohunus to some of the clauses, which, if they neglect to pay attention to, will undoubtedly result in their being fined. Clauses K», 10, and 17, give full power to tiie inspectors to order thfdestruction of any stock they think dis ascd, whether on the farm or in the yard, and any obstruction under clause 2H is punishable with a minimum fine of £2 for each offence, the maximum being £100. Clause 25 is very stringent, compelling owners to give notice to the inspector of any stock that are diseased, within twenty-four hours of discovery, the penalty for not doing so being a fine of i;ot less than £~> and not exceeding £50 for every day they neglect so to do. Clause 27 deals with the driving of diseased stock on any land or roads, the minimum penalty for each clay being £2. Cause 84 deals with diseased stock put into a sale yard, rendering the party who puts them in liable to ft penalty not exceeding £20 per head. Clause 44 deals with sheep affected with lice being driven or' depastured, the minimum fine being £1 ; and if put into public sale yards, by clause 45, parties can?br fined as high as £10. Clauses ,10 to 70 deal with the branding c=f stock, and failure to brand sheop legibly with a registered brand after shearing, and lambs before the 80th April, rmia ' me owner the risk of being fined np fco ft, maximum tine of 10s per head. It is therefore absolutely necessai'v for all sheep to be legibly branded with a l'pgislered brand before being; brought to the sale yards, • andl settlers should be very careful not la bring any stock to the yards that aif diseased, as in both these ca<-es -.they are bound to be fined.