SCAB IN SHEEP,

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 107, 29 October 1858, Page 3

SCAB IN SHEEP,

{ From, the Canterbury Staitdard ) The appointment which tlie Government will shortly have to mako of Sheep Inspector in this province is one of such importance as in our judgment to call for special consideration in this place. There are indeed few appointments (left by grace of the General Assembly) in the hands"of our local governors which can be. regarded as more serious than that to which we now direct public 'attention; whether we consider the magnitude of the pastoral interest and its importance to the revenue and commerce of the province, or the more immediate personal interests of those whose capital and private fortunes are embarked in sheep fanning. Apart, however, from this general view of the matter there are at the present moment special and peculiar circumstances which, in vest the appointment^ with move than ordinary seriousness. It is notorious that scab has latterly been making great inroads among the flocks of. the province, and it is to be feared the disease is continuing to spread. We heard it stated a few days since by a sheep-farmer of some standing, that it was more than could be safely asserted, to say, that there was a flock entirely clean north of the Rakaia. We hope this was the language of apprehension rather than of truth. It is certain, however, that many flocks within that limit are diseased, and we also know, by reports of proceedings before the Resident Magistrate which' have appeared in this paper, that scab has lately been discovered in more than one flock in the district of Timaru. At-such a critical period, then, when interests of: such magnitude are at stake, it is a matter of no light concern that a proper and efficient officer Should be selected. And here we must needs notice what appears to us a most improper course adopted in this matter by the Governihent. An advertisement bearing the official signature of the Provincial Secretary, has appeared in the papers, calling on the sheepfarmers on a particular day to meet the .Government to recommend the person to whom the office should be given; and, as we read the advertisement, and as it appears to have been read by the candidates for the office, the person who shall obtain the majority of votes on that occasion will receive the appointment from the Government. Now, it is impossible to imagine a more pernicious practise than that of a Government which j ought to be firmly held responsible for its selection of subordinate officers, and especially of such as have only routine and prescibed duties to perform, avowedly announcing their intention of laying aside all respectability in making those appointments, and casting it where public opinion cannot reach —where no reproof in case of wrong can be administered, nor punishment inflicted. And what already is the consequence of this most improper act? Why, that an active personal canvass is set on foot to procure the appointment. Thus, I an officer, wh_>, in the discharge of his duty will have to act as a prosecutor—upon whom will devolve the painful office of bringing about the infliction of heavy penalties, is by this most indiscreet proceeding as good as directed to secure his appointment from those over whom he is to be placed, and over whose property he will in future have to exercise a strict surveillance. Such a course is as unjust to the candidate as it is objectionable in principle. It is a trial of virtue to which no man ought unnecessarily to he subjected. Let us suppose a case whicli may arise, and in all probability, will not unfrequently arise. A flock of—say 5000—sheep is found to have two or three scabbed sheep amongst them. The law pronounces them all diseased. In accordance therewith the owner is adjudged to enter into bonds to have the whole flock cleaned within a prescribed period, or pay a penalty, the minimum of which must be £250, and it may be anything up to £1250 whicli the magistrate may choose to adjudge. At the end of the prescribed time, the owner must produce the certificate of the Inspector that the sheep- are clean, every whit, or the money must be paid. Suppose one or two to be unclean,;, whether from neglect or want of success, and then' let us suppose the owner to have been an energetic friend in securing the election of the Inspector, and it will at once be seen how great would be the temptation, and how ingenious would be the suggestions of friendship and gratitude to induce the" production of the required certificate. We repeat, then, that it is unfair to tlie candidate himself that he should owe his appointment to those among whom he is to administer such a law of pains and penalties. But, perhaps, it will be said, on behalf of the Government, how can they be expected to be competent judges of a nviri's fitness for such an office, and how otherwise could they act ? The answer is a very ready one. When the candidates are known, let the Government call to their counsels some men of good repute and practical knowledge amongst the sheep farmers—men able to give a safe and sound opinion as to the skill and competency of the several candidates; and after that, let the Government take upon themselves, as they are in duty bound to do, the responsibility of deciding on their other qualifications. And many qualifications beyond a mere knowledge of disease are in this case required. There are few, if any, appointments under the Government in which high character is so absolutely essential. There must be untiring vigilance, uncompromising integrity, incorruptible honesty added to skill, or the appointment will amount to a mere waste of public money.

We have m?tde these remarks, on what appears to us to be a flagrant error on the part of the Government, with no feeling of hostility, and we hope they may lead to a re-consideration of the course it intends to adopt. If not, we trust the sheep farmers will not act as has been suggested to them, and refusing to endorse for the Government such an abnegation of its duty, will leave to it, as it is politic they should, the undivided responsibility of the appointment. We have stated that disease is spreading throughout the flocks of the province. If our memory does not mislead us. this has only become manifest of late. The present occasion, therefore, suggests the propriety for those who are immediately concerned in the matter to enquire whether this has arisen from a defective state of the law, or from a negligent administration of it. During Mr. FitzGerald's superintendency, the c Inspector was compelled to keep a diary, and furnish to the Government a monthly report of his movements —what flocks he had visited, and what was the condition of each .flock. . ..y y . ; : ' .'

Indeed,,the.Following order of the Executive Council appears in the Gazette of June 20th: 1854,:— '■

" The Inspector of sheep to keep a minute book iri the form of a Journal, in which he shall enter a correct account of his inspection of every flock of sheep, and state the proceedings he has taken thereon. A copy of this journal shall be submilted to the Government on the Ist day of every month, or as soon after as may be practicable." At and before that time we well remember that cases of scab were exceedingly rare. Has the present Government enforced this resolution? As the Provincial Council is on the point of assembling, it will be well for some member to move for a copy of those reports, so that it may be ascertained whether or not there has been due vigilance on the_part ofthe government and its subordinates. It is idle to talk of making or amending lawsj if, after they are made or amended, they are not strictly administered.

There is yet another idea which we desire to submit for consideration—and that is whether it is not advisable to appoint more than one Inspector. To us it appears that the are^ over which the duties ofthe present Inspector how extends is much too large to be properly attended to. The only objection to an increase is expense. Originally it was intended that the flockmasters should contribute to the expense of inspection. It will be to their interest to act on that view now. One pound on a thousaud sheep would provide for a second Inspector.