THE PLEURO-PNEUMONIA OUTBREAK.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1198, 2 March 1880, Page 2

THE PLEURO-PNEUMONIA OUTBREAK.

Since our last issue much additional testimony has been forthcoming on this subject, all or nearly all of which goes in proof of the existence of the disease. So far as we can learn, there are no grounds for supposing that the disease has shown itself in Waikato, though the following information ought to prevent stockbreeders from relaxing their efforts to wardsits exclusion : — A meeting of the Auckland Agricultural Association was held on Friday last, to consider a letter from the Cambridge Farmers' Club, enclosing the resolutions passed at the last meeting of that institution. After some consideration, the following resolutions were adopted :—: — 1. "As it has now been ascertained that pleuro-pneumonia exists amongst the cattle imported by the s.s. Hero by Mr William Payne, and sold at Remuera, it is desirable that the herd so imported should be at once destroyed, and this society respectfully asks that the Government pay their first cost, and order their immediate destruction." 2. "That the Government are respectfully requested to immediately appoint ;t duly qualified veterinary surgeon as inspector ot cattle, under the IMseased Cattle Act.' 1 3. " That it is necessary an immediate quarantine ground should be established, as two vessels with cattle on board are ncm due, and it is also desirable such cjuarantine should not be on the mainland. " A fourth resolution was passed, authorising the Secretary to acknowledge the reeeij)t of the letter from the Cambridge Club, to forward them a copy of the resolutions passed at this meeting, and to intimate that the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association would be happy to work in unison with the Cambridge Fanners' Club in regard to the pleuro-pneuinonia affair. Shortly after the meeting a number of the gentlemen present accompanied Mr Naden to Messrs T. and S. Morrins yard in Highstreet, where the carcase of a cow awaited them. Upon examination the lungs did not present the same appearance as those of the beast previously examined, but they were affected with tubercular disease. A report was subsequently handed to the Hon. Mr Whitaker. Since then it has been ascertained that out of the five professional gentlemen who examined the slaughtered cow in Messrs Morrin's yards, three — Drs. Goldsbro' and Haines and Mr Kinloch — assert that she was suffering from pleuro-pneumonia, while the other two — Messrs Naden and Halstead — say she was suffering only from tubercular disease, or phthisis. It seems, however, that the animal was not one of those which arrived from Sydney, but had been in the district for some time, and has been ailinjr for a lonar period.

AHE|VAL OP QVER 200 CATTLE FROM AUSTRALIA. During the Jasjt few cjays (>vrites ths JhrM of yc&tolay) rcfcyw

has frequently been made to the fact that a vessel was on the way from Australia with a cargo of cattle for the Piako Swamp Company, and might be daily expected. Yesterday the barque Mary Mildred cast anchor off Kohimarama, having over 200 head of cattle consigned to the company. Up to 4 o'clock yesterday nothing had been done in the way of landing the animals, but there being no regulations for quarantining them, they will, we presume, be landed to-day. In the afternoon Mr Rust, Cattle Inspector, went down to the Mary Mildred, and we learn reported the animals to be all right, and free from disease. Considering, as we do, that the existence of pleuro-pneumonia in this country has been proved, we think all new arrivals from the place from which the disease was imported should have been quarantined, or at all events that they should not be allowed to be landed till a full examination had been made by the most skilful and practised men in the community. Our contemporary stated on Saturday that it had been arranged that these animals should be quarantined on arrival, and inspected by Mr Naclen, who was to have been appointed Inspector of Cattle. Apparently this course has not been followed ; why we know not, but when it is known for certain that the disease does exist it is as we have before said, absolutely criminal to neglect to use the simplest and inobt necessary precautions.