TICK-INFESTED CATTLE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 269, 3 January 1929, Page 8

TICK-INFESTED CATTLE.

DROVE IN MATAMATA. Union Takes Proitipt Action. Great indignation and consternation were felt in the farming community in Matamata when it was learned that on Thursday night a drove of tick-infested cattle, from Gisbomq direction, had been brought, via the Kaimai road, to Matamata to be entrained for the Lower Waikato. A special meeting of the executive of the Matamata Farmers’ Union was held on Friday night to deal with the matter as a subject of urgency. It may safely be said that ho more pressing subject has come before the branch since the waterside strike of 1913. Those present at the meeting, Messrs. T. Prowse ( president), A. Tong (secretary), J. W. Simpson, J. Price, R. Rollett, H. Seed and H. Sutherland, all expressed grave concern.

Mr. Simpson said he had been given the information in the first instance by Mr. J. Fitness, local stock agent for the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company Ltd. Mr. Fitness had told him that the cattle, had been put in the saleyards, and Mr. Fitness had removed them to a less public quarter. The speaker understood that there were about 129 steers and 23 heifers and that all were infested with tick, as were also the dogs and horses. It looked to him as though the dip had not been effective. Should the tick spread, the pest v/ould cost the farmers thousands of pounds, as it had done in other places.

The president said the cattle were full of ticks, every one being affected. He noted bunches of ticks on some of them. He had notified the local stock inspector. The cattle were supposed to have been dipped, but the ticks had not been disposed of. They were also on the horses and dogs. A wire had been sent to the Auckland executive of the union advising that body of the trouble.

Mr. Price : You should have wired also to the Minister of Agriculture.

On the motion of Messrs. Price and Rollett the executive decided to wire to the Minister and follow up with a letter.

Mr. Price observed that tick would not thrive in the Matamata district, owing to the general shortness of the grass, and also because of the heavy frosts. Nevertheless the matter was serious and prompt action was necessary.

Mr. Rollett said Mr. Prowse and he had seen the cattle and the ticks and had advised the inspector thereof and wired to the executive. They had told the inspector that they would see the matter through and find out who was responsiole for bringing tick-infested cattle into the district.

The riddance of the cattle and the field they are in of the tick will be a job that will require to be done thoroughly, at whatever cost.

Later information is to the effect that the stock have now been properly dipped under the supervision of the inspector. . .... ;1 1 vtUfr i ■