THE CATTLE TICK THREAT.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 April 1919, Page 4

THE CATTLE TICK THREAT.

LARGE MEETING OF FARMERS A very largely attended impromptu meeting of farmers and graziers, thoroughly representative of the whole Taihape district, was held in Taihape yesterday to consider the reported presence and; spread of the Cattle Tick in the - Auckland province, Mr. James Smith being in the chair. Mr. H. O'Callaghan said trie tick had been in Auckland for a long timebut it had been worse this year than ever before. Some people thought it was not the worst kind of Cattle Tick, while many others state definitely that it is the Queensland tick. He thought that all people handling stock should avoid Auckland cattle coming to the district; efforts shoTSI? be made to keep the Taihape sale

yards clean and lie was sure everyone concerned would work together to secure that end

Mr. McCarthy pointed out that a large number of cattle from Auckland came to Taihape, and until fullest investigation was made the Government should prohibit, railing stock from infected to clean areas. It was important that no affected cattle be allowed in railway trucks that would afterwards be used for carrying clean cattle, and it was also important that affected cattle was kept out of the local saleyards. It was pointed out that farming and grazing had reached a stage in this immense district that fully warranted the Government placing in' Taihape a resident' Stock Inspector..

It was unanimously resolved: That as the cattle tick has already made' its appearance in the Auckland district and has spread over a considerable area, thus demonstrating the fallacy of the theory that the pest could not exist south .of the 24th parallel of latitude, the Government of this Dominion be requested to take such steps as will absolutely confine the pest to the districts, already infested and eventually effect its eradication. Further, at the present time there is nothing to prevent tick infested cattle from being, trucked and driven for sale to districts that are perfectly clean, and if stringent measures, are not promptly taken the pest will soon be a prevalent calamity through the length and breath of the land.

The secretary was instructed to forward the resolution, together with an explanatory letter outlining the trend of the discussion, to the Hon. W # D. S. Macdonald, Miuis'tc-r of Agriculture.