THE SHEEP ACT, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 429, 28 May 1879, Page 2

THE SHEEP ACT, 1878.

Wfi have just received from the Colonial Secretary’s Office, a pamphlet entitled a Thie Sheep Act, 18?8," which introduces itself with the following memorandum : “ In consequence of numerous inquiries, of daily occurrence, a pamphlet has been prepared under the direction of the Colonial. Secretary, and is issued from the Government Press to-day, containing the Sheep Act, which came into operation on Ist January last ; together with all proclamations, Orders in Council, and Gazette notices ; and the regulations and forms to be used under ‘ The Sheep Act, 1878 ; ’ also a memorandum on the parasitic insects which infest sheep, This pamphlet will be supplied to every sheep-owner in the colony, through the inspectors of sheep, the moderate charge of two shillings pei copy being made to cover cost of printing." Commenting on the pamphlet, the New Zealand Mail says In refeiring to the volume itself, we desire in the first place to recommend it to every flock-owner as an indispensible vade mecum for his use. Our reasons for giving so hearty a recommendation we will endeavor to set : forth as briefly as possible. In the first place the Act in octavo form is far more handy and easy of reference than in the usual quarto size. The working of the Act varies considerably in the several districts which are affected by the Proclamations, Gazette notices, and Orders in Council, which are gathered together 1 under one cover in a style very different to the only other way open to the Sheep Inspector or owner if no such book of reference had been provided. The schedule of Acts arid Ordinances which is reprinted is worthy of especial notice, as many an lliterate up-country farmer would otherwise refer to and act upon a copy of an obsolete Scab Act in full confidence that this source of information was undeniably correct andautheutic. Though in favor of a thoroughly stringent Act, such as the Act passed last session, we have strong objections to certain points, such as section 25, which enforces the branding of all scabby sheep with an indelible wool brand, which will remain on the sheep and reduce the market value of the animals months after they have been pronounced clean by the inspector. We dislike section 26, which prohibits sheep breeding on scabby runs, although this clause may be suspended until 1885 ; and clause 50, under which any occupier may, without warrant, obstruct any sheep passing over his run and cause the same to be inspected—-whether the owners have a written permission from the inspector to drive the sheep or not. These are however comparatively unimportant details; in other respects we believe the Act in its present form to be a good workeable measure, and are of opinion that it was most beneficially amended while passing through Parliament last session. The points we have refened to will command special attention by reason of the prominence we have thereby given them. The Wellington District comprises the following divisions -Wanganui, Rangitikei, Wellington, North Wairarapa, and South Wairarapa. The volume before us contains also copies of the eighteen books and forms required by Sheep Inspectors. All of these are in a form which will commend themselves to those who have a practical knowledge of what is required. The warrant for yarding and herding is couched in legal phraseology, which will be a little difficult of comprehension to some of the country settlers. Before closing our notice of this part of the publication, we desire to call attention to the omission of the usual analysis or index to the clauses of'the Act, which we regard as likely to depreciate the value of the work to a serious extent.

The memorandum by Dr Hector on the parasitic insects which infect the sheep, we hope to publish in lull, but pending an opportunity, will only observe that it is a very complete treatise on the subject. Strange to say, the writer talks of scabby sheep biting and rubbing themselves, but omits to notice the equally prevalent habit they have of scratching themselves with their hoofs, which practice, in wet weather, makes them exceedingly dirty and unsightly. We thoroughly agree with the writer’s advocacy of hyposulphate of lime as a specific, it is a certain cure if carefully used ; but we desire to point out that its use should be avoided within three months of the date of shearing, as it injures the quality of the wool very considerably. We believe that in England, a well-mixed dip of a solution of carbolic acid has been proved to be thoroughly effective, and, in some respects, less open to objection. Great care is necessary, because if the solution is not kept stirred the undiluted acid floats to the top of the mixture, and may cause the death of the sheep under treatment. The excellent wood-cut A of the scab parasite, deserves a word of praise, but the small stroke at figure 1, which is supposed to represent the acarus of life size, is fully twice, if not three times, as large as the biggest specimen ever observed. Some readers might be puzzled to know; what was meant at the conclusion of the first paragraph on page 94, by “ rubbing with a cruch.” We believe the word is a misprint for crutch. The treatise is a valuable one, being both concise and clear, and we have much pleasure in recommending it to our readers. The life history of the several sheep parasites is very interesting, and all the wood-cuts are excellent likenesses of the insects they represent. The sheep bot (cestrus ovis) is of more common occurrence than many owners suspect, but very few shepherds know it by its real name, and its presence is not very noticeable in a flock.