RESIDENT STOCK INSPECTOR.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 228, 15 March 1928, Page 3

RESIDENT STOCK INSPECTOR.

CAMBRIDGE OR MATAMATA Farmers’ Union Discussion. Farmers in the Matamata district are becoming apprehensive over the fact that the position formerly occupied by Mr. H. Cleland, Government Stock Inspector, resident at Matamata, has not been filled, the district now being served from Cambridge. The general disquiet over the matter was voiced at the monthly meeting of the Matamata branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Mr. H. Rollett presiding. “ I think you are all aware that since the removal of a most efficient and capable officer from a farmers’ point of view,” said Mr. J. Price, '“ we have been without a resident stock inspector. The way in which he carried out his duties on our behalf, and to our knowledge on behalf of the Department, and the amount of work he was called upon to carry out since stationed at Matamata, which is not getting any less, were very creditable. We should voice our opinion very emphatically that it is time his successor was living in this locality. I understand there is a strong agitation in Cambridge to have the officer for the newly-consti-tuted district (since the removal of Mr. Cleland) stationed in Cambridge. I have no desire that we should enter into the argument of whether it is necessary to have a man stationed at Cambridge. I feel sure that every farmer east of Tokoroa ranges and Waikato river will agree with me that this district cannot be successfully worked from that end. In the first place, the large tract of dairying country, which is carrying at least 70,000 dairy cows, should have an officer stationed within reasonable accessibility, and there would not be any delay or hardship on the farmer in having to get in communication with the officer.

“ As you are all aware, the diseases of dairy stock especially are not on the decrease, and the outbreaks we have had in late years have only been checked by quick and energetic efforts.

“ If there was any shadow of doubt that the district did not warrant an officer living in Matamata or somewhere this side of the range, we would be far better served to go back to the old arrangement of headquarters at Hamilton.

“ I move that we wire the Department and the Minister, pointing out the desirability of having a stock inspector, etc., resident of this district of Matamata, as we are handicapped under the present arrangement of administration.” Mr. E. Bowler stated that he understood that the district had been revised and that the inspector had to travel as far away as Paeroa and Opotiki. Mr. H. Delaney commented that what the district really required was a qualified Government veterinary surgeon. He did not see that it made much difference where the officer lived if he was only an inspector of stock.

Mr. J. W. Simpson expressed the opinion that it would not be advisable to take any action until they found out exactly the boundaries of the inspector’s district. If Cambridge was the centre of the district it was little use trying to get the inspector to live in Matamata. Mr. Price’s motion was passed, with the addition that particulars be obtained of the boundaries of the new district.