GOVERNMENT AND SHEEP INSPECTORS.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 249, 29 August 1877, Page 2

GOVERNMENT AND SHEEP INSPECTORS.

Continuation of correspondence received from Government by Robert Horner, Esq., as to scab in this district : (Telegram) Marion, March 31. To Hon. Major Atkinson, Wellington. Had to come out to Eangitikei last night in the absence of a reply to my telegram from Wanganui. Will wait your instructions here re scab at Manutahi. Eobeet K. Simpson, Inspector of Sheep. (Telegram) Marton, March 31. To J. Giles, Esq., Wellington. Only examined flocks of Peacock and Symes, Inspector for the district considered others safe, and returned to New Plymouth. Owners in question are taking the necessary steps to cure, which should have been done months ago to ensure the safety of the district. Consider that competent inspector should be located in infected district. Present inspector’s head quarters too distant. Eobeet K. Simpson, Inspector of sheep.

Telegram dated April 4, from Under Secretary, Wellington, to F. A. Carrington, Esq., New Plymouth, stating that Mr Frederick Ellison Hickson, Sheep Inspector, Wanganui, had been “ instructed to go to Manutahi, where scab is,” and asking that Mr Hickson might be at once appointed sheep inspector for -Provincial District of Taranaki. (Telegram) Gov. Buildings, April 4. To Frederick Ellison Hickson, sheep inspector, Wanganui. Hon. Major Atkinson wihhes you to go to Manutahi, to adopt proper measures foxpreventing spread of scab, and to report on state of things. You will be appointed an Inspector for Taranaki, to enable you to act. Send word when you are going. J. Giles. Telegram dated April 6. from Executive Officer, New Plymouth, to Under Secretary, Crown Lands, Wellington, stating that Mr Hickson had been appointed sheep inspector for Provincial District of Taranaki, and that he had been notified to that effect. Telegram dated April 7, from Under Secretary Crown Lands, Wellington, to G. P. Sherwood, Esq., Carlyle.—“ appointed and Iras instructions to act.”

(Letter) Sheep Inspectors’s Office, Wanganui, April 17, SiE, —I have the honor to inform you that, in accordance with instructions received from you, I proceeded to the Manutahi District, and perfectly examined the different flocks of sheep. lam glad to be able to report to you that I found no fresh cases of scab beyond the two already known, that is, Mr Peacock’s and Messrs Symes’. The former has already dipped his flock three times, the latter began to dip their flock on the 13th. Some of the neighbors have dipped their sheep also, but there is ho knowing at what moment others may be infected. The whole district requires to be continually watched. I have also to inform you that few, oi none, of the flockowners have certificate- from Pale.a upwards, and I should strong] y recommend that eve in flock should be inspected, and certificates given to those having clean flocks. Every flockownex that J saw wi-hed this to bo done. There are several who have sold sheep, but the buyers will not take delivery without certificates. Several applied to me fo?- certificates for that purpose, but I did not know whether I should be exceeding my instructions by doing so. In case 1 should be instructed to grant certificates, I applied to the Executive Office, Taranaki, to forward me. the necessary forms required by the Act. Will you please inform me whether I am to act as Inspector for Taranaki District; if so, 7 would please draw your attention to the great deal of extra expense I shall be put to in having to travel over a great deal more country. —I have, &c., . Feed. E. Hickson, Inspector of sheep. J. Giles, Esq., Under-secretary for Lands, •Wellington.

(Letter) Gen. Crown Lands Office, Wellington, April 20. Sie;-—I have the honor to forward to you a copy of a letter from Mr Hickson, reporting on the scab lately ascertained to exist at Manutahi, in the Provincial District of Taranaki. . Assuming, in accordance with your telegram of the 6th instant, that Mr Hickson has bedn duly appointed a sheep inspector for the Provincial District of . Taranaki, I shall be obliged if you will be , good enough to give . him such instructions as he .may require for ' the purpose of dealing With the existing disease, and preventing its future spread. With respect to the last paragraph of Mr Hickson’s letter,- necessary expenses will of course have to be met, but Mr Hickson’s appointment was made to deal with an emergency, and the permanent arrangements to bo made for the inspection of sheep in the whole or any part of the Provincial:. District of Taranaki, will require further consideration. . Charles C. Bowen, For secretary for crown lands. F, A. Carrington, Esq., Executive Officer, ' New Plymouth. Telegram dated April 20, from Undersecretary Crown Lands, Wellington, to Mr ,Hickson, Wanganui—" Your report received. You are referred for instructions to Mr Carrington, to whom copy of your report has been sent.” (Telegram) Ilawera, April 30. To Hon. D. Reid, Wellington. Ee inspector of scab, I find that Hickson has not visited this district at all. He should be at once ordered to go up. and directed to take all necessary steps to stamp out the scab. It would perhaps be as well for him to be ordered to meet me at Patea to-morrow. : ' 11. A. Atkinson. [To he continued.']