PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND THE CATTLE INSPECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1213, 8 April 1880, Page 2

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AND THE CATTLE INSPECTION.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir,— l would through your columns express my great regret that the fnapector of cattle for the waikato should have so long suffered time to slip by without discovering that certain cattle in the district were being shot and inoculated. At the meeting at Cambridge, of the Cattle Board, last Saturday, Inspector Runciman, evidently conscious that some explanation was necessary on this head, said that he had been very busy with the sheep, and was placed in a false position, owing to his having relied on Capt. Steel e' 8 promise to the Board at its last meeting, that immediately pleuro was suspected at the Swamp Company's station he (Capt. Steele) would report the same to either the Inspector or the Chairman of the Board. Well, sir, I think, and many think with me, that Inspector Runciinan. is not supposed to trust to other people in the execution of his duty : he should go About and ascertain for himself ; and more especially when, as in the instance of the Swamp Company's cattle, he had, accord* ing to his own admission, heard rumors to the effect that they were not quite healthy, and that some had died since arrival in Waikato. I admit very willingly that Mr Runciman holds an unpleasant billet, and that it is not a pleasant thing having to inform against your friends and neighbors ; but, sir, that is what he is paid for doing, and if he does not like it, it is always open to him to resign the appointment*. I hear that Mr Burkes and Mr Macnichol's cattle are affected. How is it Inspector Runciman knew nothing of this either? J}s \\q even in these two instances trust to any promises made to him ? It looks like it. Inspector Runciman must wake up, and travel about the country and ascertain the true state of things for himself : it is no use fussing about and issuing nQticeg when the disease has made its appeai'lnce, — I am, &c, Breeder Cambridge, 7th April, 1880.