SOUTH AUCKLAND CATTLE BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1212, 6 April 1880, Page 2

SOUTH AUCKLAND CATTLE BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held at the Fanners' Club, Cambridge, on Saturday last, to consider what means should be adopted regarding the outbreak of Pleuro in this district. There were present, Messrs. E. Maclean (chairman), A. A. Fantham, C. Storey, and Capt. Steele. The Chairman had invited cattle breeders and owners to attend, in order that all possible information might be afforded, and in response to this the more prominent settlers were present. Amongst the number we noticed Messrs. Robert Fergusson, W. L. Martyn, Walker, J. P Campbell, Hicks, Alwill, Bailey Capt. Kuncunan and the proprietor of the Waikato Times. Mr H. Reynolds, manager of the Land Company's estate, was also in attendance. The Chairman commenced by stating that Mr Fanthum had some days previouslp informed him that the disease had broken out on the property of The Waikato Land Association, and they went to Eureka on Thursday, but found the Manager had gone to the out-station, Woodlands, near Hokonui. They accordingly returned to Hamilton, and there saw Mr John Runciman, deputy Cattle Inspector, who, at his request accompanied Mr Jb'autham to Woodlands. When they came back they reported that Pleuro existed in a very bad state, on the property, and that the proprietors were inoculating the herd. They considered it was a vciy serious matter to allow people to inoculate, as it tended to spread the disease, and he had accordingly issued a placard, warning owners of cattle that if they had recourse to inoculation, their farms would be declared infected places within the meaning of the Act. He was perfectly aware that the Board had no power to prevent anybody inoculating, but he wished all to understand that lie was strongly opposed to it. He also telegraphed to Mr Naden to come up. That gentleman arrived the day before, and went with Mr Runciman to the Company's estate, and from what he observed was of opinion that Pleuro did exist there, but that it was necessary that some of the beasts should be slaughtered, He (the Chairman) thought the action of the Swamp Company would tend rather to spread the disease than to eradicate it. He would call on Mr Fantham to support what he had said, and afterwards they would hear the report of Mr Naden. Mr Fantham thought it would be as well to read the correspondence relating to the question. The Chairman said there was only one letter — from Mr Reynolds — to read. The Chairman then read a letter from Mr Reynolds, dated the 30th March in which he stated that some of the cattle on the station were dying, but of what disease he was not aware. He attributed it to overcrowding on the voyage and want of feed on arrival. He said it would appear from the tone of the letter that the Board were to inquire into the cause of death in the case of any cattle. Mr Fantham said he had during the week heard from one or two sources that Pleuro had broken out on the Swamp Company's estate, but as he was not satisfied with these reports lie went to the chairman and told him about it. MiMaclean had just received a letter from the manager of so reassuring a nature that he made light of the matter. He (the speaker) was of opinion, however, that there was more in the letter than appeared on the surface, and he gradually brought the chairman over to his w<iy of thinking. They then drove to Eureka, but found that the manager was away at Woodlands. Considering it to be their duty to at once ascertain for themselves whether the reports were correct, they drove to Hamilton, where the chairman remained while Mr John Runciman and he proceeded to Woodlands. They were much surprised when they got there. They saw a lot of cattle in the yard in a very bad state, one animal in particular having pus running from the nose and exhibiting strong symptoms of the disease. In a pit in the yard they saw portions_of the carcase of a beast which they concluded had been killed for the sake of the virus, with which to inoculate the herd. Mr Reynolds aske.d them whether they thought the disease was Pleuro. He replied that Mr Reynolds knew best what it was when he killed a beast for the sake of virus to inoculate the rest. Mr Runciman served a notice on the manager declaring the property infected. They then came back and reported the result to the chairman. On their return to Hamilton they noticed cattle, running in paddocks divided from the main road merely by a wire fence, which appeared to be suffering from the disease. One poor thing was in a very bad state. He had never before seen Pleuro, and he thought that when a person previously unacquainted with the disease from actual experience could perceive it so plainly, it was the best evidence that could be given of its existence. He had several things to say as a member of the Cattle B-mvu, which he purposed deferring for the present. The Chairman considered it best to adduce a.U the evidence they could iirst,

and they then could discuss the whole question. He asked Mr Naden to read his report. Mr Naden reported that, in company with 'Mr John Kunoiraan, inspector of cattle, he visited the Woodlands Station of the Waikato Land Association. He there saw several beasts undergoing the operation of inoculation. The beasts he examined were evidently suffering: from Pieuro in a bad state. He wished, however, to have permission to kill one or more -o£ the animals in order to satisfy -tnmfeelf. Capt. Steele said Mr Naden was quite at liberty to go to the station and select one or more head of cattle for slaughter if he was satisfied that the disease did exist. There was no use in wasting time about the matter. The Chairman Baid that now they had got permission to kill some of the cattle, the question arose as to what would be the best time. He wished to receive suggestions from the meeting on the subject. He supposed many settlers would desire to be present at the examination. Oapt. Steele said he would be very glad to see anybody present. He admitted that the disease was Pieuro. Mr Fanthain pointed out that Mr Naden desired an examination. Mr Reynolds having obtained permission to say a few words said Messrs Fanthain and Runciman came to the station on Thursday. They said they had seen a lot of cattle in a very bad state ; yet these cattle had only a week or so before been pronounced clean in Auckland and passed. Mr Fantham also referred to cattle apparently affected running by the roadside. The great majority of the reclaimed and available land all lay adjacent to public roads, and as regarded the cattle being bad he could only say that the next day he saw them himself, and they appeared to him to be in good health. He complained that Mr Fanthams remarks tended to lead people astray. He might state that the cattle which had been in bad health, and some of which had died, were out of a lot imported from Sydney, and which had been subjected to a long and unpleasant voyage. The Chairman hoped that whatever was done the Company would not remove any of the cattle. Mr Reynolds said they certainly would not. Mr John Runciman reported that lie accompanied Mr Naden to Woodlands on Thursday last. He corroborated Mr Naden's testimony, and added that he served the notice required by the Act, declaring the estate to be an infected place. He might state that he had heard reports for some days regarding the existence of Pieuro on the Swamp Company's property, and, although he was pressed by other business, he would certainly have gone there to satisfy himself, had not a member of the Cattle Board faithfully promised to inform the Board or the inspector the moment the disease broke out on the estate. He considered that he had been placed in a very false position. Captain Steele said he was aware that he was the member alluded to, and he felt called upon to make a statement. The whole matter would hinge upon the question of inoculation. He felt very strongly on this subject. Some were opposed to inoculation ; but he had made every effort to inform himself on the subject, and as the result of his inquiries he had come to the conclusion that inoculation did good. He himself was solely responsible in the matter, having instructed the manager to proceed with the inoculation. When the disease broke out on Mr Burkes farm that gentleman very wisely proceeded to inoculate the remainder of his stock and had not been stopped. The Company had erected yards for the purpose, and since they had commenced several of the smaller settlers adjoining were anxious to follow suit. He had warned them that the Board would declare their farms infected, though at the same time he informed them that the Company was quite willing to perform the work of inoculation for them free of charge. He met a gentleman from Australia a few days ago who told him that there inoculation was always resorted to witli the best results. He also saw by the Sydney papers that the disease had broken out in the Mount Barker district, and that the inspector had recommended inoculation. He believed that nearly everybody was in favor of inoculation ; and as a proof that the disease was not spread by that means none of the herds adjacent to Mr Burkes farm had, so far as was known, been affected. Mr Fantham said he wished to speak, both as a member of the Board and as a settler. He thought the conduct of the Company in the whole matter had been disgraceful. They admitted that some of the second shipment of cattle had been dying, with their knowledge, for some time. He considered that a company which had done so much to introduce a disease which they might never get rid of should have been the last in the world to attempt to hush up the matter. Let them take the statements made by Capt. Steele at the last meeting of the Club in which he faithfully promised that the moment the disease appeared on the station he would inform the Board or the Inspector. Had he done so ? He wished to remark, as a member of the Board, that, in opinion, Capt. Steele was a disgrace to the Board. The Manager's letter was most deceptive. He first commenced to inoculate the cattle, and then some days afterwards wrote to the Board, stating that some of the cattle were dying, but he was unable to say from what disease. Even when they went to the station on Thursday Mr Reynolds asked them if the disease was Pieuro, and yet he had got the virus, and how could that have been obtained from any but a diseased beast. He wished to make no further remarks. According to the Act, in not giving the necessary notice to the Inspector of the appearance of the disease, the Company had rendered itself liable to a fine of £50. Of course, he was aware that it must look bad to have Pieuro on the estate, and no doubt it suited the Company better to run the risk of a fine than to expose the existence of the disease. Was this treating the Board properly? With regard to inoculation, he might say it had been resorted to in England for a period of about 130 years and it had never yet succeeded in stamping out the disease. -Professional men were pretty well agreed that inoculation was useless unless carried out properly, that is, adopted by all. He read a few extracts from Professor Gamgee's book on the "The Cattle Plague with official report of the International Veterinary Congress held at Hamburg in 1863 and at Vienna, 1865." From these it appeared that inoculation was first adopted by a Mr Dobson in 1754, to whom the knowledge was communicated by a physician in Yorkshire. The opera, tion was performed by making an inoision in the dewlap, into which a piece of tow clipped in the matter from the eyes or nose of the diseased beast was inserted. He thus preserved 9 in 10 of his whole herd. In November 1757 Dr. Layard wrote that cattle were not liable to second attrcks, and in support of inoculation. He said the disease was readily communicated from one beast to another. A number of statistics to show the vast mortality amoug cattle owintj to the disease were then cited. In 1780 Dr Layard again wrote on the subject, stating that the disease in Hampshire in 1769, in Hoilaud and the vest of, the iflW OovUlUiosUl

1770, and in the South of France in 1774, was extirpated by the use of the axe, all infected beasts being killed. At the Hamburg Congress, in July, 1863, Professor Garages read an important address on the subject of Fleuro, dealing principally with its results, and the measures taken from time to time to lessen the evil consequences resulting from its spread, such as the establishment of cattle insurance companies. Dealing with the question of the disease itself, the professor affirmed that inoculation was quite insufficient to arrest the progress of the disease. Several others of the speakers advocated the use of the axe in the case of animals affected, and where the disease had spread over the whole district. Dr Gerlach was in favor of inoculation, though he had formerly been an opponent of it. He had seen so many oures effected by its agency that he had changed his opinion. He had, by its means, eradicated pleuro in districts where it had been for 20 years. He thought all animals affected should be slaughtered, and all suspected animals isolated. In six months after the disappearance of the disease all the clean anknals should be inoculated. Dr Haubner recognised fully the value of inoculation, but thought it should be compulsory He was aware, however, that it was a difficult matter to make it compulsory. Dr. Hertwig spoke against inoculation, Dr. Fiirstenberg said he had tried inoculation, and 50 out of the 60 animals operated on had tied, thus proving the uselessness of the operation in some cases. On making 1 post mortem examination on these cattle he found them to have suffered from chronic lung disease. Professor Fuchs also affirms that he knew of cases where inoculation had utterly failed to arrest the progress of the disease. He thought these extracts were sufficient to prove that in times past they had tried inoculation without success. The only difference between the treatment adopted in the present and that followed in last century was that now they inoculated in the tail. The extract from Professor Gamgeer's address would also furnish them with the opinions of men fitted to deal with the question,and who were of the present day. He did not think he need go any further. It was clear from what had been read that the diseased animals should be destroyed, and all suspicious beast should be isolated. He had no 'objection to inoculation, provided it was made general, though he recognised the difficulty which would be experienced in a rough country like New Zealand. They wanted to stamp the disease out, and he could think of no better^way than the use of the pole axe. If ""they did not stamp it out people from other parts of the colony would do it for them. As inoculation was imparting— in a mild form it was true— -chronic lung disease it would in the case of cows be sure to affect the progeny, and in the end their cattle would deteriorate. He hoped that means would be adopted to stamp out the disease in this way, and application would be made to the Government to impose a tax for the purpose of forming a fund to compensate cattle owners whose beasts were so destroyed. He firmly believed that if the thing were taken in hand the disease could be stamped out for £1000. All he wished to know was whether in any country inoculation had stamped out the disease. He was aware that there was no law to prevent inooulation, but he for one would resort to every means in his power to stop it. The Chairman said he had read somewhere that cattle which had been inoculated should not be bred from, but should be simply fattened for the butcher. It was worthy of remark that there was in no country a law compelling people to inoculate such as there existed with regard to vaccination. It was his opinion that if anyone took a portion of the lungs of a diseased animal into another district, no matter for what purpose, he took into that district the disease itself ; and he would as a membar of that Board that all such places where the virus was taken should be declared infected forthwith. He was convinced that inooulation spread the disease. Captain Steele said he felt bound to make «t remark in answer to Mr Fantham, otherwise he would not be worthy to sit on that Board. He thought very little of the tone of Mr Fanthams remarks, though he did not think the Chairman should have allowed him to use the expressions he adopted. The extracts which had been read appeared to him to be altogether in favor of inoculation, and he thought the Board should telegraph to Australia in ordpr to get an official opinion on the subject. He was quite aware that in many cases inoculation had not stopped the disease, but it was because it had not been made general. The Chairman then called upon Mr Naden, who said he had no feeling for or against inoculation. Professor Symonda, who was Veterinary Surgeon to the Royal Agricultural Society of England, and Professor of Cattle Pathology at the Royal Veterinary College, London, was sent to Hasselt, in Holland, to report as to whether inoculation for Pieuro-pneumonia, as practiced by Dr. Willems, produced the disease in a mild tyoe, and rendered the animals so operated upon prrof against the disease. Professor Symonds, after a minute and searching investigation of the subject thus sums up the result at which he arrives :—: — r. That inoculation made by superficial punctures and simple crasions ol the skin, in\ .iriably fail to produce any local inflammatory action, being the re\erse of the case with regard to the vaccine disease, small po\and other specific affections, of which it is rind indication ot iucce»-i. 2. That the employment of fresh serus fitted and a cleanly made but small incision, during the continuance of .t low temprature will almost always fail to produce e\en the slightest amount of inflammation. .1. That deep punctures are followed by the ordinary phenomena only of such wounds, wheu containing some slightly irritating agent. 4. That with a high temperature roughly made incisions and scious fluid a few days old local uleer.ition and gangrene, producing otcasionally the death of the patient, will follow inoculation. 5- That the sero-pnrulent matter taken from an inoculated sac cituses more speedy action than the serum obtained from a diseased lung, and that removes cannot be affected on scientific principles. 6. That oxen are not only susceptible to the action of a second but of a repeated inoculation with serus exudation of diseased lung. 7. that an animal inoclated with the serious cxud.itious |is in no way protected even from the repeated action of the \ero purulent flued, which is produced in the wound as a result of the operation. * 8. That animals ndt naturally the subject of Pleuro-pneutnnoia, such a donkeys, dogs, &c. susceptablo to the local action both of the serous exudation from the lunjj and the sero-purulent obtained from the_ inoculated wounds. 9 .That the serous fluid e\huded from the lungs is not a specific virus or lympth, as it is sometimes disignated. 10. Thatinoculation made with medicinal irrating agents will be followed by similar phenomena to those observed in inoculation with the cnuded serum. 11. That the inoculation often acts as a simple issue and the security which at times the operation apparently affords depends in part upon this but principally upon the unknown causes which regulate the outbreak, spread and cessation of ordinary epidemics. 12. That inoculation of cattle as advocated and practised by Dr Willoms and others, is not founded on any known baiis of science or accrtaincd law with regard to the propagation ot those diseases commonly called specific. 13. that Pleuro-pneumonia occures at\.irious periods of time after a so - called successful inoculation. # 14. That the severity of Pleuro-pneumonia is « m no way mitigated by previous incentation, the disease proving equally rapid in its progress and fatal in its consequences in an inoculated as in an unmoculated animal. In summing up the researches made by modern soience upon the treatment and prevention of this distressing malady, all who have had opportunities of studying it are compelled to ooufess how very futile all measures, both of prevention and curej have hitherto proved in arming the pro.

gross of the disease. Practically speaking, it m*y be regarded as incurable, and stock-owners will best consult their own interests who destroy animals suffering from this disease, and isolate all animals which have been in contact with tha diseased animals. To give the full benefit of isolation it must be complete ; there must be entire separation of healthy and dis* eased beasts, not only by removing them to distant and isolated places, but by providing separate atteudants for those affected. It is a well-known fact that in England, Ireland, and Scotland, where the authorities acted with vigor, the disease was soon extinguished, but lingered in other places from whence it spread, after a time, as rapidly as ever. Disease is sure to spread where stringent measures are not at once enforced, and where therein laxity on the part of the authorities. It had never been proved to him that inoculation was a specific for the disease. He wa?, however, quite open to conviction, and was willing to make the experi. ment on, say, 10 or 12 head of cattle. He would isolate them first and then inoculate them, afterwards repeating the operation on some of them, with a view to seeing if they would take the disease again ; afterwards he would turn a few diseased cattle among- them and mark the result. Information so obtained would be very valuable. Mr Bailey : Would an animal which had been inoculated be likely to give the disease to a clean animal ? Mr Naden : Certainly, if inoculation produced the disease. Captain Steele : Do you know of such a case ? Mr Naden : I never had an opportunity of seeing it for myself; but this I know that in Marlborough I have killed several beasts which had been inoculated when in a healthy state, and they weie suffering from the disease. Mr Naden went on to say that he had been a pupil of Professor Symonds, and it had been part of his teaching that inoculation was notaspecific. In this country, he had killed many beasts which hail been inoculated, and, as further proof, he would state that in Australia they went* in for inoculation, and yet the cattle which were exported to this country were affected. This, he thought, was sufficient proof. Captain Steele wished to know whether Mr Naden was sure the cattle so inoculated had not been diseased before. Mr Naden said he could not be sure, but Professor Symonds said cattle took the disease twice and even thrice. He would like very much to have his suggestion carried out. The cost would not be much — merely the value of the cattle and his actual expenses. In answer to the Chairman — Mr Naden said the only way to stamp out the disease was to knock the affected beasts on the head. Mr Martyn asked whether Mr Naden had seen the cattle now on the Swamp Campany's station before they left Auckland. Mr Naden said he had seen some of the cattle brought from Sydney by the Mary Mildred, which were qurantined at Orakei, They had been there a mouth, and had shown no symptoms of the disease, and they accordingly passed. He could not say whether these cattle were among those he saw on the station. Capt. Steele wished to know if the Board had any funds at its disposal. The Chairman said it had not, and unless they put their hands in their pockets he did not see how any were to be had. With regard to Mr Naden's suggestion Capt. Steele said he would willingly subscribe to such an object, say £10 or even £20, if necessary. Mr Fantham did not think they should carry out the experiment in the Waikato He agreed with Capt. Steele, and was quite willing to subscribe, provided it was carried out on some island. He must, however impress upon them that Mr Naden had shown them that inoculation was injurious, and they should take steps to stamp out the disease by other means. Captain Runciman, in answer to the chairman, gave his experience of inoculation. In 1864 or 1865, he had 10 beasts inoculated. They all had disease afterwards in a mild form. He could no say whether or not inoculation communicated the disease. All the beasts operated on got well. Three of the beasts were steers and seven heifers. He lost at that time 43 head of catle by pleuro, and some of animals were worth as much as £20. The beasts inoculatjd were all healthy, as Mr Alloni, who performed the operation, would not inoculate any but clean beasts. He only bred from one of the heifers afterwards (the rest "were sold for beef). He did not notice any difference in the calf. The disease broke out about this time in the year, and he remembered it was after a very dry summer. As soon as the wet season set in the disease died away, and speedily became a thing of the past. The Chairman said that both Captain Steele and the Company's manager had acknowledged that Pleuro existed on the station. When Captain Steele was at the last meeting he promised to inform them the moineufc the disease broke out. Perhaps Mr Reynolds would explain how it was he had rendered the Company liable to a fine of £50. Mr Reynolds said he reported the matter to the Board of Directors, and as soon as he was allowed communicated with the Cattle Board. Captain Steele said oue of the directors would not believe yet that Pleuro existed until he had seen Mr Naden's report. Mr Reynolds was acting under his instructions in the matter. Mr Fantham said Mr Reynolds now admitted t*iat he knew of the existence of the disease some time before he wrote his evasive letter. Mr Reynolds said he did not know it was Pleuro. Mr Fantham said that when he proposed that Mr Naden should be asked to come up and inspect the Piako cattle Captain Steele made light of it, and had said he would trust Mr Storey's judgment as a practical man as soon as Mr Naden'a. Why had he altered his opinion of Mr Naden ? He could not help thinking that some shuffle was going on. Captain Steele objected to the language. Mr Hicks said he had no personal knowledge of the disease, but he was quite willing to follow those who had. He felt that the course advocated from the first by Mr Fantham was right. It was reported that Pleuro had brok9n out in the Province, and a letter was sent to the Attorney-General asking for a competent person to examine the various herds. He replied that the weight of authority was against its being Pleuro, notwithstanding that Mr Naden and others had certified to it. Mr Fergusson interposed to say that the letter was a mistake on the part of the Private Secretary. Mr Hicks went on to say that Captain Steele had promised to inform the BotuS immediately on the appearance of the disease In the meantime, Mr Reynolds found the cattle dying, and, without saying that the disease was Pleuro, proceeded to inoculate them with virus taken from one of their number. Clearly, therefore, while the Board and the public were led to believe that there was no Pleuro, inoculation was going on. Then, the grave question arose — Would these animals communicate the disease ? No body of men had a right to take such, measures without first communicating with those most likely to be affected. He would defy them to say that thebe cattle would UQt wnyey tlw disuse, jf #B$W%

spread orer the district, he would feel justified in laying the blame at the Swamp Company's door. Captain Steele said he never had any doubt in his mind about inoculation spreading the disease, and he had asked everybody who was experienced on the subject. If, knowing that the disease would thereby spread, the Company had deliberately inoculated their cattle, they would fully deserve all the harsh names which had been applied to them. Nothing had been proved on the other side. He would muoh like to see Mr Naden's experiment carried out. Mr Bailey said the question was — Did Pleuro exist, and, if so, what were the best means to get rid of it ? The Company must have known of the existence of Pleuro when they took virus from one of the animals, and yet they made no report. This ought to be explained. Captain Steele said it had been intimated to the manager that when he suspected Pleuro he should inoculate. Mr Bailey : Just so. He was satisfied of the existence of the disease, and yet did not report. Captain Steele t What good would it have done ? Mr Fantham wished the Chairman to put it to Captain Steele whether he did not consider himself a disgrace to the Board ? Mr Fergusson thought nothing would be gained by indulging in personalities of this sort. Mr Fantham withdrew the question. He complained that Captain Steele had ignored the Board. Captain Steele said he was responsible for what had been done, and they might pitch into him as much as they liked. In reply to Mr E. B. Walker, Mr Naden said the best way to get rid of the disease was to kill all infected animals, and to isolate and watch the rest, fattening such as recovered, not breeding from' them, as he had sufficiently demonstrated that the disease wastransmitted to the offspring. Mr Fantham moved—" That the company be asked to pay the fine of £50." tie wished them to understand that he knew nobody in the matter, and was acting simply for the good of the country. He thought all animals suffering from the disease should be shot, and he would move to that effect. He felt sure this was the only way to stamp out the dioease. It was agreed to visit the Swamp the next day, and, The Chairman and Mr Storey advised the mover to postpone the motions until after the cattle had been examined. Mr Fantham said they were losing time. He reiterated all his arguments. It was well known that inoculated cattle were only fit for beef, and was he to be ruined ' because his neighbor chose to operate on his bullocks ? He believed in compensation, and was quite willing to be taxed to the utmost rather than allow the disease 1 to spread. Captain Steele said the company was quite willing that some of the cattle should be slaughtered if paid for, and examined by a competent man, After some further conversation of a recapitulary nature, the Board (the nonmembers having retired on the bringing forward of the resolutions) adjourned, to meet at Eureka on the following day.

On Sunday, the following members of the Cattle Board, accompanied by In* Bpector Runciman and Mr Nad en, proceeded to Woodlands— viz., Messrs E. Maclean (Chairman), Fantham, Storey, and Captain Steele. They were accompanied by about forty settlers interested in the subject. On arriving at the Station, they were met by the foreman, who gave them to understand that the cattle had been dying for some time—at least, five weeks,— and that several which were opened and examined showed signs of the disease, which circumstance he had duly reported to the Manager. ' Permission having been given, one of a herd of cattle (about 130) was shot, and on examination the lungs were found to be in a very bad state, presenting all the symptoms of Fleuro in an advanced stage. Another beast was afterwards destroyed with the same results, and, from the appearance of the remainder, no doubt existed in the minds of those present that the great majority of them were similarly affeoted. Mr Naderi recommended the destruction of most of them.

Yesterday, the Board — consisting of Messrs E. Maclean (Chairman) and H. Battle — again visited the Company's property at Eureka. They were accompanied by Mr Naden and Inspector Runciman, There were also present Messrs J. A. Douglas, B. H D. Ferjrusson, Bailey, Tinne, Breakell, Dr Sandes, and the proprietor of the Waucato Times. Six animals were shot (all heifers), five of which were found to have been suffering from the disease in a very malignant form. The remaining one was to all appearances most healthy, and was chosen on that account in order to discover how far the disease had become general. She was selected by the Manager ,Mr Reynolds, and appeared to those present to be in good health. On examining the lungs, they were found to be very much inflamed, and presented every indication of the presence of the disease in its earler stages. In the opinion of nearly all the gentlemen present, the only way to eradicate the disease would be to destroy the whole of the diseased cattle.