TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2315, 13 August 1921, Page 1

TUBERCULOSIS IN COWS.

A DAIRYMAN FINED,

FAILED TO NOTIFY DEPARTMENT.

William 0. Francis, dairyman, Papaiti, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, this week, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., on the information of Mr Munro, Government Stock Inspector, with (I) Failing to give notice of a diseased cotv; (2) did mix milk for sale from the said cow suspected to be in an unhealthy condition; (3) and did allow a diseased cow to come into contact with other cows. Mr Munro said that it was cusromary to ask if any new cows had been added to a herd. The defendant did not disclose the fact that he had bought other cows. He had been warned on all occasions to notify the Department if cows showed definite symptoms of disease. Albert E. Palmer, assistant stock inspector, said that on June 29th he inspected defendant’s herd. Asked ijf he had purchased any new cows, he sad that he had purchased one. On July 12th witness and another inspector had another inspection and found a cow with a lump below its ear. Milking was in progress at the time.

Mr F. Hill, inspector, said that defendant said that he had bought a new cow, and pointed out a brindle animal. He raid that he had not bought any other cows, Witness’ son passed some remarks about “the good Government jobs they had that they could hang round a man’s cow shed all day.” Witness saw the cow milked. Defcndandt said that lie had bought her about three weeks before. •E. Howard, Government veterinary surgeon, said that in November last a cow from defendant's farm was condemned for tuberculosis. On July 13th he visited defendant’s place and condemned a cow for tuberculosis. He considered that it was dangerous to sell milk from the cow. To Mr Hussey: It was possible for a cow with tuberculosis to give good milk. Donald Sutherland, farmer, Papaiti, said that he sold a blue roan cow to defendant. Defendant referred to the lump below the ear, and witness said that he had hit the cow with a broom getting her into the bail.

To Air Hussey: Defendant paid £l3 for the cow.

James M. Low, farmer, Aramolto, also gave evidence. Giving evidence, Mr Munro stated that the lump on the cow was about the size of a man’s two fists.

The defendant, William G. Francis, said he bought the cow from Sutherland, who was his next-door neighbour. He had been milking three years, and prior to that was a painter and paperlianger. He had not had previous experience of cows. He drew the inspector’s attention to the lump on the cow’s neck. He was not aware that the cow was suffering from disease. He would be the last person to buy a tubercular cow if lie knew it. To Mr Munro: He thought that the lump was caused by a knock, and did not think that it was necessary to report it to the Department. Lionel If. Francis, son of defendant, said he did nor notice any marks on the cow when they got her. After a few days he saw the lump. His Worship said that it was a case of a kind difficult to decide unless one was a mind reader. He could not accept the defendant’s story in the face of the evdence given for the prosecution. The defendant appeared to have been unfortunate in previously having cows suffering with tuberculosis. It seemed that the defendant had milked the cow to the last, and would he convicted on all the charges. The third charge was withdrawn by the Department. The defendant was fined £l2 and £1 5s costs.