DEPARTURE OF THE CHIEF VETERINARIAN.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9155, 31 July 1908, Page 7

DEPARTURE OF THE CHIEF VETERINARIAN.

DISCUSSED BY THE MASTERTON A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

TRIBUTES, REGRETS AND CONGRATULATIONS.

At the annual meeting of members of the Masterton A. and P. Association, y sterday, the subject of the departure of tho Chief Government Veterinarian, Mr J. A. Gilruth, was brought up by the President (Mr J. D. Cruiclcshank). Mr Cruickshank said that the departure of Mr Gilruth meant a great bss to the farming community of the Dominion. Mr Gilruth had done excellent work in his p sition, and personally his universal courtesy and unfailing desire to assist farmers had earned for him the highest esteem. Mr Cruickshank said he had much pleasure in movirg the following motion : -That the membcrs of the Masterton A. and P. Association regret very much that the Dominion is losing the services of Mr J. A. Gilruth as Chief Veterinarian, and desires to place on record their very great appreciation of the work done bv him, and offer their hearty congratulation to him on his appointment to such an important position in Victoria." J Mr \V. Perry (Vice-President) saconded the resolution and in doing to said it had Leen his good foitune to hear Mr Gihuth discourse on tck-n----tilic matters. There was no doub: whatever in the speaker's mind that Mr Gilruth was a very able man, whom the Dominion could ill-afford to lose. The speaker understood that matters in the Veterinary Department had not been too satisfactory during the past two years, and it appeared that it was a matter of salary that had caused Mr Gilruth to leave New Zealand. Mr Ferry thought that in the c-js3 of a n:an of Mr Gilruth's ability the Dominion could afford to give as much as Mr Gilruth was to receive in Victoria. He was a man of world-wide reputation, and his position would be very hard to fill. (Apr lu use). Mr D. McGregor (incoming President) strongly supported the motion. Referring to Mr Gilruth's work the speaker said that it was entirely due to the Chief Veterinarian's knowl.'dpe and initiative that the dreaded anthrax had been stamped out in New Zealand with only a few minor outbreaks, as it was he who first drew attention to the great risk incurred in importing unsterilised bone-dust. Mr McGregor said that .Mr Gilruth had never oeen given a full opportunity to carry on research work, and as it is suggested to establish a chair of veterinary science in connection with Otago University, Mr Gilruth should have teen reserved for such an apptintmc-nf, as New Zealand was behind the limes in pathology and cognate sciences. It was evident from ths neech by the Minister of Landd in the House th«t there had been feeling in the Department, but whitever the cau.se New Zeah d was bsing a good man, who couli do much f-.r the farming community. The speaker had hearJ Mr GilrJth address an A. and P. Association Coi'ference at Wellington after his rtturn from the Pasteur Institute, and on that occa.-ion he had stated that France had in thirty years quadrupled ltd already intimate knowledge of scientific agriculture. Mr Gilruth had then shown hU great practical insight into matters pertaining to his profes.ion, and the speaker had very great pleasure in supporting the rnntion. The motion was then put, an 1 carried unai.imously, with applau32.