CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1184, 29 January 1880, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB.

A meeting of the above Club was held on Monday afternoon last. Present : Messrs E. Maclean (President, in the chair), Jas. Runciman, G. E. Clark, .A. Fantham, W. A. Graham, Richard Reynolds, Henry Reynolds, Robert Fergusson, and J. Hunt. Mr Maclean, on taking 1 the chair, said it was the first time he had done so since his election to the office of President this year. He received notification of the fact from the Secretary, and he could not but wish that it had been placed in. abler hands. However, he thanked the members of the Club for the honor they had conferred upon him, and asked them for their support in carrying out the duties of the Club; he would also ask them for their indulgence for his shortcomings. He would not be able to attend as regularly as he could wish as he was very often absent from the district. While he was speaking he imght mention thai the Club ought to take action with regard to the railway to Cambridge an i the road to Rotorua. The Hamilton people were getting their railway to Morrinsville, and it was to their interest to support the branch line to Cambridge; but, as they did not do so, the railway must be made in the cheapest possible way at onoe. The Cambridge settlers must show that they will have the railway. Public opinion governed the country, and therefore the matter rests with the settlers themselves. The minutes of last meeting were then read and signed Mr A. A. Fantham then read the following essay on

PLEUBO-PNEUMONIA. " Tbis is one of the most fatal diseases attacking the ox tribe ; and, itnfortunately, is now too well-known in many countries. I do not think it neces-ary to occupy the i time of this < lub by quoting further back ! than 1842, in which year it broke out in England with great severity, carrying off thousands of cattle annually, and I much fear will still continue to do so. " The disease appears dependent upon some altered condition of the atmosphere ; the morbid matter being conveyed, into the circulation of the animal through the lungs. It is, however, a disputed point whether it owes its origin to atmospheric iuflueuce, or whether it was imported from abroad. The late fatal prevalence in I America, Australia, and New Zealand I appears decidedly to prove the theory of contagion, as it has been pretty clearly shown to have originated with imported stock. At times this disease breaks out with fearful violence in certain localities, after which it apparently dies out for a time. It is not confined to unhealthy, badly drained lands, or dirty and indifferently ventilated sheds, as it often appears where the greatest care is taken. The disease is very capricious — some animals appearing exempt from attack, when, it is raging in the midst of the herd, while others succumb to its influence immediately. " To give some idea of the loss incurred in England by this fearful disease aione for the &U years tnling- 1860. quoting Professor (Jamgee's remarks of the 16th July, 1866, there died from pleuropneumonia considerably over one million head of cattle. Estimating their value at £11 10s per head, mikes a grand total of twelve millions stetliug. This of course does not include thousands that would have died had they not breu slaughtered. " This disease has been tieated in many different ways by eminent veterinary surgeons throughout Europe, who have invariably failed to effect a cure. Some were under the impression that inoculation would act as a proventitive, whil many emineut professional men held a contrary opinion, in support of which I will quote the remarks of Dr. Furstemberg (Professor of the Royal Prussian Agricultural Academy, and Regimental Veterinary Sutgeon in the Royal Bavarian Service, Munich), of the lGth July, 1866, who stated that after the H rusaian Government bad galled upon the veteri-

nary surgeons to try inoculation, that measure had, at least in his district (Stralsund), been rendered compu?sory as soon as the disease broke out in any locality. He himself had carried it out, and that, though the inoculation took, fifty out of sixty-five head died. On a post mortem examination he found in one (- ca«e the chronic course of lung disease. This fact serves to prove the non-success _'n some cases of inoculation. Quoting from Professor Symonds, who is consl<dered one of the best authorities in England, who says: — 'The severity of pleuro-pneumonia is in no way mitigated by inoculation, the disease being equally rapid in its progress and fatal in its consequences in an inoculated as well as in an uninoculated animal.' I could quote many other eminent authorities in support of the foregoing remarks, but do not think it necessary to do so. " I will now endeavor to point out the danger of importing cattle from diseased districts. We will take for instance Australia, where the disease is supposed to be imported from England. Mr G-. Annitage, M.R.C.V.S. (late Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, &c.),s*ys : — 'With resptct to the importation of bulls for breeding purposes, three months were occupied on the voyage, and disease broke out on their landing, and ua» never been eradicated since. It is doubtful if the bulls were infected prior to their being taken on board at a British port; but what is probable, hay, straw, &c, may, have been supplied from infected places and thus contagion has been conveyed on shore in Australia by being communicated to the animals during the voyage.' " Some few years ago the malady raged greatly in Tasmania, and Mr Annitage was applied to by the authorities for in formation regarding its appearance in Britain, results of treatment, &c. From the statements furnished it appears that the country has now become a station for the disease, and very stringent measures will only succeed in banishing it. Coming nearer home, some few years ago some cattle were imported from Melbourne to Kaikorua, in the Nelson Province. Shortly after their landing tha disease appeared, carrying of great numbers of cattle. About the same time some diseased cattle were driven into Canterbury, and no doubt the disease would have spread rapidly, had it not been for the keen eye of the Government inspector (Mr Hill, M.R.C.V.5.,L.); thus, in my opinion, showing the necessity of the Government only appointing duly qualified veterinary surgeons to act as inspectors. To my own. knowledge, many unprofessional men acting as veterinary surgeons in the Canterbury Province at the time, would not believe in the existence of pleuropneumonia until they were convinced by Mr Hill sending a portion of the diseased lungs to England, to be examined by professional rnea who thoroughly understood the disease; and I have no doubt Aany of you will remember what the people of southland suffered through tho disease having been imported into their herds from Australia. " It would be a difficult matter to stamp it out should the disease have reached this province, as it is getting so thickly dotted with cattle, many of them being carried to and from Auckland by train, and no precautions taken with the trucks to prevent contagion. The Sydney Mail, of the 27th of last month says : — "A mob of cattle from New South Wales was stopped near the Murray and eight head affected with pleuro-pneumona killed;" thus showing its present existence in A ustralia. "In conclusion, I think the Government should have all stock inspected by none other than duly qualified veterinary surgeons. All imported stock should be quarantined at some isolated place at each port, as I consider no man can properly examine animals on board ship, in au excited condition, and suffering more or less from the effects of the voyage. " is I am fully convinced of the importance of this subject, I trust the members present viil fully discuss the question : and I sincerely hope this Club will urge on the Government that every precaution be taken against the importation of contagious diseases into New Zealand." vJr James Runciman said he had suffered as much as anyone present from the disease, excepting perhaps the Chairman. He perfectly agreed with the remarks of Mr Fantham, except, perhaps, as regards the inoculation. When his cattle were affected, he got Mr Allom to inoculate ten young cattle ; they were very sick for a time, but afterwards they recovered. He kept them till they were three years old and then sold them. He lost some thirty or forty head, and was perfectly sure that the disease was contagious as he had ample proof of the fact, fie thought that cattle imported into the colony ought to be thoroughly inspected and quarantined, and adequate inspection duty charged. He believed it was the cattle brought by the Government from QueensUud first brought the disease into this colony. He also agreed with Mr Fanthams remarks on atmospheric influence, and that the rainy season had the effect of checking the disease or of stopping it altogether. Mr W. A. Graham said this was a matter of great importance, as, if the disease was brought into the colony, it would be a very serious matter. It was a great deal worse than scab in sheep, and it would be ruinous to many if the disease were to be brought here. He did not think it would be advisable to close our ports against the importation of stock altogether, but thought that if an inspeotion fee was charged it should be sufficiently high to prevent cheap stock from being brought into the colony, and which nevertheless would not be felt by tho breeders, who are doing great good to the country by bringing in some of the best stock in the world. ISo doubt, it was considered advisable to import young I stock into the country as the price of cattle now is said to be high. But if tho cause of this is looked at it will be seen that cattle are not exceptionally high. Sheep are at present fetching very low prices, therefore farmers are wanting to buy cattle. Again, breeders are offering much more valuable stock for sale now, and the general run of stock now bought is of much bettor quality than ordinary stock, therefore they cannot afford to sell at the same price. The question is one of great importance, and Mr Fantham deserves great credit for bringing it forward. The Chairman said he would like to know how far Mr Fantham wished to go. If they wished to have tha ports closed he would not oppose ifc ; but it would be a serious matter now to close the ports. He believed that the inspection was carefully oarried out, and that with ordinary precaution the disease would not be likely to bo introduced. If they wish the Government to appoint first-class inspectors they will have to pay them well, and he doubted whether they were prepared to do this. He did not think there was anyone in the colony who could decide a case of pleuropneumonia. He knew of a case where no loss tli an five veterinary surgeons all gava different opinions. Mr Fantham, in reply, said that he did not wi«h the ports closed, but that a duly q alified inspector should be appointed and the stock quarantined. There were plenty of islands near Auckland where they -,ou!d be kept till they could be pronounced free from disease. A fee should also be charged for inspection. J^t the port of Lyttelton for one beast it wask £2 2s, but how is it that at Auckland it is only 2s 6d ? Ho would like to see a proper inspector nppointed, and the law on the importation of stock properly carried out,

He had known several occasions when^ it had been vory loosely done. Cattle with this disease might be" brought into Auckland and put upon the cattle trucks. Cattle might be sent down in the same truoks, and the disease spread all over the country before they knew where they were, for it is Hot apparent till forty-two days. This would be ruin to many— -absolute ruin to some, himself, perhaps, amongst the numbtr.Olt was found that the loss of cattle by pteuro-pneumonia was double the value of the Btock imported, and this did not take into account the thousands which were slaughtered which would also have died from it. He would move, " That the Government be requested to appoint a duly qualified veterinary surgeon to inspect all stock before they are landed in any port in New Zealand." Mr W. A. Graham seconded, and after some further discussion the motion was put and carried. A vote of thanks was then unanimously passed to Mr Fantham for his valuablo essay.

DBAINAGE BILL. Mr James Runciman moved, "That rule 6 be suspended to bring forward a resolu* tion." The resolution was seconded by Mr Clark, and carried. Mr James Kunciman said he had intended to give notice at last meeting, and thought he had done so, " I hae the President, Messrs E. B. "Walker, Henry Reynolds, Charles J. Storey, and J. Runciman be appointed a committee to consider the applicability of th© proposed Drainage BUI (printed and lately put before Parliament to be considered next session) to this part of the country, and to report to this Club at its March meeting." He had not had time to examine the Bill himself yet, but thought it a matter of great importance, and that it should be looked into at once. Mr Robert Fergusson seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. This was all the business.