Inspection of Stock.

Manawatu Herald, 13 May 1899, Page 2

Inspection of Stock.

We have been surprised that our Borough Council has not moved to get the stock in this district inspected. The management of dairies is under their control, though we believe the Government has offered to relieve them of this duty. But looking upon our Council as the mouthpiece of the wishes of the Burgesses it stands to reason that every person desires the purity of the milk and meat supplies, and without inspection that cannot be secured. The paragraph elsewhere mentions that twenty-one head of diseased cattle from the Shannon and Levin districts were slaughtered at the Longburn works last month, and there are more to follow from elsewhere this month. Who knows where these beasts are going from ? Some do, but the majority do not, and it is not a pleasant idea that they may have been selected from amongst our dairy cows, or the butchers' stock. We hope some action will be taken by the Council, and we feel sure that a representation from that quarter would secure such a duty being undertaken at once. We trust that as the Council has delegated its authority in the matter of inspection of dairies. to the Government, a speedy inspection not only of the cattle, but also of the yards and buildings where milk is kept by those offering it for sale will also be made by the Department without loss of time, as specimens of what the owners term "milkers" have been seen on our public roads which, from their appearance, would appear to be anything but desirable animals from which to obtain milk.