Veterinary Science.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 262, 4 December 1903, Page 4

Veterinary Science.

HBPOKT OF THE CHIEF VETERINARIAN.

Mr J. A, Gilruth, chief veterinarian and bacteriologist, in his report for the past year to Uhe kead of the Agricultural Department, mentions that for the iirst time siiiee its formation a record h»s bee» kept within the division of its cost. For . tliii last year this amounted to £l2900. Of tkis £IO,OOO was paid in salaries, the remaining £2900 representing the general expenditure, such as laboratory and oflice expenses, travelling expenses, ete. Throughout the division the .principal expenditure was incurred in the administration of the Slaughtering' and Inspection Acr\ no less than £8(50 being expended for services under that Act. Deducting that amount from the total expenditure, and another £1450 incurred in laboratory and clerical duties, investigations of diseases, lectures to farmers, etc., the sum of £2850 remains. For this sum all the routine work by veterinarians was carried out, in addition to whioh no fewer than 21<Jo isolated cases of disease among stock (which have reqpiiied special journeys) have been dealt} with. Taking the low estimate of tt'l per cent, of lliesn isolated cases as benefiting by the advice given, and the value of the stock saved at the small liguie of £8 per head, there bias beea a saving of some £IO,OOO worth of stock to the colony. Attention is often drawn to the number of resignations in the Department on account of the inadequate remuneration given, T.he position, Mr Gilruth states, has inci eased in gravity. The necessity for some system of registration of veterinarians in order to prevent stock-owners being imposed upon is reared to, and also to protect -qualified men and prevent their diplomas be.ng flouted. M v Gilruth says ;- "A glaring instanoe of deliberate misleading of the public which 1 am informed cannot be punished by law has been brought undwr my notice An individual with no qualification has been for the past year advertising that be was a duly qualified number of the Royal College of \ eterinary Surgeons, London, which the registers prove to be absolutely false ; also that he was a member of the Star Veterinary Association of London, an association which doc* not exist. In addition, I have seen jt repeatedly assorted in press notices that tins individual was engaged and brought to the colony by tlie New Zealand Government. Since this report was printed the Individual referred to has boon convicted of horse stealing and stmtenced to 18 months' hard labour. That this State, which employs the majority oi the veterinary surgeons who are within j»s borders, should be practically the enly one in the world which lias no Jaw to prevent money being obtained by such false pretences, not to mention possible and actual damages to valuatble stock by such charlatans, seems, to say the least, remarkable. The lectures to fanners ltave, on the whole, been well attended, and have been beneficial. There is, however, food for reflection in the fact that young New Zealanders are not at all desirous of adapting themselves to the more modern and up-to-date methods available." Mr Gilruth suvs - it is to be regretted that tlie rising generation of agriculturists and pustoralists in this colony does not appear in any way anxious to improve its know-lodge in these maters, young men forming Invariably bat a small proportion of the audience at any lecture hitherto deliverh s lukewarmness lo a lack of inlel.igence or common sense although its existence is undoubted J.ore probably it arises from the last that they are being spoiled bv too much prosperity. Their fathers who, by solid grit, und hard work' ra.se«l themselves into comfortable positions, have made life too ,asv for their sons, many of whom a * patently prefer t» exercise their Zf S , t , M l ', Kl ' Ch llmttors as racing am athlet.es' rather than occupy hut evidently l uss attractive purlin %■ sck,nlUi « k'»owledge.-Otago Daily Tunes. 6