THE OUTBREAK OF PLEUROPNEUMONIA. The South Auckland Cattle Board.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1215, 13 April 1880, Page 2

THE OUTBREAK OF PLEUROPNEUMONIA. The South Auckland Cattle Board.

A full meeting of the South Auckland Cattle Board was held at the Farmers' Club, Cambridge, on Saturday morning at 10 o'clock, Every Maclean, Eaq^. (Chairman), presiding. Among the public in the room we noticed the Hon. James Williamson, Captain Runciman, Messrs J. B. Whyte, M.H.R., Primrose, Morgan, Swarbrick, Willis, W. Hunt, W. Martyn, R. Reynolds, Clark, Paton, Ewen, J. Fisher, Selby, J. P. Campbell, R. H. D. Fergusson, Hicks, J. Hunt, Thomas Hunt, Allwill, Dimsdale, W. B. Morgan, and the Proprietor of the Waikato Timks. Inspector Runciman and Mr Naden, M.R.C.V.S.L., were in attendance. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said he had received intimation that some offence had been taken in regard to the boundaries adopted for the infected district. It had been pointed out to him that in several respects they might have been better arranged. Those who objected must remember, however, that the work had to be done somewhat hurriedly, and as the proclamation only held good for 28 days, alterations in accordance with the general wish of the settlers could be made at the end of that period. Till then he hoped they would rest content. They would remember that at the last meeting the Inspector and Mr Naden had been instructed to proceed to Messrs Burkes and McNicol's farms for the purpose of further examining the cattle alleged to be suffering from the disease. He would now call on the secretary to read the reports of those gentlemen. The Secretary then read the following report : — Cambridge, oth April, 1880. ro ihl Chairman of ihi. South Auckland Caulk Bovrd. Sir, — I have the honor to report that on the Bth instant I, in company with Mr Naden, veterinary surgeon, went to Mr D. McNicol's farm, at Ohaupo, to inspect his cattle, also Mr Burkes cattle at Te Awamutu. I herewith hand in Mr Nadcn's report. John Ruxcimw, Inspector of Cattle and Sheep, South Auckland District.

Cambridge, qth April, 1880. Sir, — lluuethe honor to infoini you, for the infoimation ot the Chairman of the South Auckland Cattle Board, that on Thursday last, Bth April, I again visited Mr Burkes farm, at Paterangi; the herd of cattle I formerly reported as diseased were- much in the same state, with the exception ot a red row, which was much worse than when I saw her last. I also examined at the same time fifteen cah cs, another hei d of Mr Burkes, which also showed sjmptoms of epizootic pleuro-pneumonia. I did not think it necessary to make a postmortem examination as Mr Burke and also Mr Storey were both of my opinion, that these cattle were infected with epizootic pleuro-pneumonia. I w ish to call particular attention to the fact that cattle belonging to Messrs AVestney Brothers are in a paddock on the opposite side of the road, within tw enty yards of the diseased cows, and a w ire fence only di\ ides the diseased calves fiom them. There are also some fat cattle in another paddoi k adjoining the diseased calves, belonging to Messrs Ta} lor. On the same day I also again Aisitcd Mr Duncan MrNicol's i.mv, at Ohaupo, but as Mr McNitol wished to have a butcher to destroy the beast I intended to examine /i>i/-.wiv/W/, and as the herd are completely isolated, and they did not appear to be any worse than when I formerly saw them, agreed to postpone the post-tno) tcm examination until Monday or Tuesday next. On Friday last I \isited the iaim of Mr Shaw, at the Scotchman's A r alley, ha\ ing been informed that one of his. cows showed sjmptoms of pleuiopneumonia. I saw no appeal ance of pleuropneuiaonia about this cow, and perhaps the Board would think it advisable that I shonld \ isit her again, as there is only a wire fence between Mr Shaw's cattle and an infected herd. — I am, sir, your most obedient servant, G. N\m\, M.R.C.A'.S.L. J. Runcima.il, Esq., Cattle Inspector. The following correspondence was also read :—: — AVellington, 7th April. J. Runciman, Inspector, Proceed, without delay, in the cases of Burkes and McNicol'b. AY. RoLLi.srox.

Wellington, Bth April. J. Runciman, Inspector, You are hereby authorised to request the assistance of the Armed Constabulary whenever jou consider it absolutely necessary to prevent the moving of cattle infected, and in aftking notices, under section 4, of the Cattle Regulations. "W. RorxLSiov. Mr. A. Swarbrick wrote to the Board as follows: — "I am desired by Mr Nathan Runmey to inform you that a cow is believed to be infected with pleuro on his farm, between Hokonui and Taupiri." Mr G. Quick, of Huntley, telegraphed, asking if he could kill and remove beef from Lovells farm, at Taupiri to Huutley. The Chairman said it was expected that a pod mortem examination would have been made on Burke s and McNicol's cattle believed to be diseased. tSuch had not been done ; perhaps the Inspector would explain. Mr John Runciman said it would take a dozen men to do the work cut out for him. His time was so taken up already that he positively could not do the work. Mr Buttle did not consider Mr "Runciman's explanation satisfactory. The Inspector and the Veterinary Surgeon had gone over to Burke s and McNicol's with an order to kill the cattle, and as they did visit the farms he could not see that much extra work would have been involved in making an examination. The examination should have been made more especially because two of Mr Burke s cattle were said to be suffering from the disease in a very advanced stage. He felt confident that the public would have been much better satisfied with the result of their investigation. Mr Runciman did not think it was* his duty to give an order for the destruction of any animals unless the veterinary surgeon considered it necessary. Mr Naden, in answer to the chairman, said he had not thought it necessary to make the examination. He was certain of the existence of the disease, an opinion which -was shared by the owner of the cattle. Under these circumstances he hardly thought it necessary to make two journeys for the purpose of destroying the infected animals. The Chairman asked the opinion of the Board on the subject of Mr Quick's telegram. Mr Fantham thought they might grant him permission to slaughter the beasts on the farm, and remove the carcases. The other members of the Board concurred, Captain Steele remarking- that there could not be any objection if the farm Wiis clean. . 1 Mr X'vdfjn also concuvveil, and the > Cluir.nin directed the Inspector to gr.uit the uocßSsivy permia^ion. i'li'j Clbuuuw thsu. iuMt-;d, the g9«tk«

men present to offer any ternaries on the general subject of the disease, remarking that it was for the purpose of l-eceiving suggestions and advice from them that the Board had requested' cattle-owners to be present. Mr A. Swarbrick said he had been requested to put into the hands of the Chairman the minutes of a meeting held at his house a few days before. He came from Hokonui, in the heart of the infected district, where the settlers were anxious to do all in their power to assist the Board in stamping out the disease. The resolutions passed at the meeting he referred to had been published in the Waikato Times, but he would read them to the meeting, calling special attention to No. 3, requesting the Board to prohibit cattle from any farm on which there is known to be infected cattle being driven upon a public road. He wished them to understand that those who were instrumental in calling the meeting had no desire to arrogate the duties of the Board : their object -was simply, by doing all in their power, to strengthen the hands of the body duly constituted to carry out the work. Under the present regulations those outside the infected district were protected, but the Board should also see that no injury was inflicted on those who lived within the prescribed limits. So far as he knew, it was competent for any person to drive infected cattle by his farm and alongside his fences, and if so it should be stopped. The district he and others belonged to was peculiarly situated, inasmuch as a large portion of it was open country — a run — on which the cattle of several of the smaller settlers grazed. These cattle could approach the Company's fences, and might be the means of spreading the disease all over the district. One mob — about 10 — had been found straying close to the place where the infected cattle were, and he had with others driven them up into a yard until the owner should dispose of them. He thought a ranger should be appointed, failing which the settlers would have to take some steps in that direction themselves. The Chairman said the Board was very glad to find that the settlers in that part of the district were taking such prompt action ; he hoped the example would be followed by others. From what Mr Swarbrick had said he supposed a great portion of the country was open, but he thought the Company's cattle would not be allowed to stray. The Board had given orders to keep the infected cattle in the paddock in which they were found ; and he had no reason to doubt that the instructions would be carried out. He recognised that it would be a great hardship to the small settlers to be obliged to take their cattle off the ran, but no doubt the Armed Constabulary would, in the capacity of rangers, see that no cattle were allowed to wander on the public roads through the settled portion of the district. Captain Steeie thought the action of the settlers in the Hokonui district very wise. If others would follow their example he had no doubt that the disease would be speedily stamped out. He did not know to whom the cattle mentioned by Mr Swarbrick belonged, but he could assure him that none of the Company's cattle would be allowed to stray out of the paddock. His only desire was to prevent the spread of the disease, and he would be willing to purchase the ten stray beasts, in order that they might not run about the district. He would answer for it that none of the Company's cattle would be driven along the highway without an order from the Inspector. Mr Swarbrick said he had seen the owner of the cattle that day, and he would be only too glad to dispose of them. He would like to ask Captain Steele whether the infected cattle could not be put back farther from the main road than they were at present ? It was very desirable that they should be removed. He would also like to ask whether it was a fact that within the past' few days three strange cattle had not been turned out of the Company's property on to the main road ? Capt. Steele said the objection that had been raised to removing the infected cattle was that if they were turned behind the bush there would be a difficulty of mustering them for inspection, and the diances were that many of them might die in the scrub and bush. It Avas the wish of the Chairman and the Inspector that the cattle should reuuuu where they were. With regard to the other question he was not jjrepared to give an answer, as he knew nothing- of the circumstance. Mr Jb'antham moved — That in .iccoul.imc with section 15 of, the Diseased C.ittle 1 rgulatsons, as passed by Oi dei - ln-Council, and published in the New Zealand Gazette, the Koaid do at once give notice to cattle owners to a,t once destroy all cattle suffering from plcuro-pneumonia, subject to the ad\ ice of the vetnnary surgeon. It ay as Avell known that the disease existed in tbe district, and that every day they neglected they were only increasingthe risk they ran of spreading the disease further. They would remember what the veterinary surgeon had said, that all diseased beasts should be slaughtered, and yet they had been pottering- about, and nothing had been done- In moving "this resolution he knew no one, but Avas acting simply for the good of the district, not knowing but that in a few days his OAvn cattle would have to be knocked on the head. If the Board did not start at once, and caary out the provisions of the law, then he had no hesitation in telling them that they de -served the censure of every settler in the country. They were not putting the Company to any great trouble in asking them to slaughter the diseased cattle, while by neglecting to do &o they might allow the pleuro to spread all over the district. He did not wish to cast any reflection on the Company, but ! it was possible that some of the infected beasts might break out. He was of opinion that the herd they saw at "Woodlands should all be destroyed by Monday morning, and all those boasts Avhieh had in any way been in contact Avith them could then be placed in a secure place Avhere they might undergo periodical inspection. It the members of the Board were not prepared to take decisive then he saAV no honest course open to them but to resign. They must remember that although it Avas an undoubted misfortune for a man to lose his cattle, it was better so, than that all should suffer. He begged to move the resolution as read. Mr Buttle, while he admitted the gravity of the situation, questioned whether they ought to go so far as Mr Fanthams resolution indicated. He thought they would be more effectually doing their duty as a Board, by enforcing strictly the principle of isolation. If they went on as Mr Fantham suggested, he did not knoAV where they would stop ; they might have to slaughter a thousand head of cattle. He really thought they should try to adopt other measures before they went to such lengths. He was in favour of complete isolation. He would of course agree to the killing of certain animals, but Avas not prepared to go as far as Mr Fantham. Mr Storey agreed with the spirit of Mr Buttles remarks. Captain Steele thought it would be a harsh proceeding to adopt without reservation, the proposal of Mr Fantham. Some cattle should of necessity be slaughteied, but the killing should not be wholesale. Mr Fautham H,ii<l his motion proposed nothing moiv. Ho .Avould lea\ eit to thu Vet 'liiury Surgeon to select the disjased bca-st-j l>ut tluy should avli'jh pirked out h>: ■ilaugjit'ji't'd. It ma% a terrible hardship

that diseased cattle should be allowed to run about the country. He would ask them if the settlers of the district were to bo ruined, simply because a Company had introduced aJot of filthy beasts into the country ? It was simply monstrous. They should tackle the matter without delay : all ho wanted was to have the diseased cattle destroyed. One of the gentlemen present had said, that the diseased cattle were running close to the road to the danger of neighbouring settlers' cattle, and to those of the smaller settlers who were constrained to send their beasts on to the run. Were those unfortunate people compelled to bring their cattle into a stockyard in order to secure them against infection ? The Chairman said the Company had kept the infected cattle in the paddock they now occupied at the request of the Board. With regcrd to the question before the Board, he might say that he had been told that the diseased cattle kept in a heap away from the others, from which they could be easily distinguished. If then these were slaughtered the others, if kept isolated, might recover. Ho had been informed by a gentleman, formerly a neighbor of his, that during the outbreak of pleuro, some fifteen years ago, his cattle had received the disease from some infected cattle which passed along the road. When beasts were in the last stage of the disease he believed the contagion spread some hundreds of yards. Cattle in such a state should of course be lolled, while the others should he carefully isolated. The gentlemen present had heard the opinions of the Board, and were now at liberty to offer any remarks or suggestions. Mr Naden wished to remark that the views of the Chairman were similar to his own as expressed by him when he ai rived in the district. The Chairman remarked that Mr Fanthain's motion had not been seconded, but as the board wei-e agreed that slaughtering would have to be resorted to no doubt a resolution to that effect would be passed. The Hon. James Williamson thought the Board should only proceed on the advice of the veterinary surgeon, and al] cattle which, in his opinion, could nol recover should be slaughtered. People should, however, have an opportunity oi saving their property if it could be done with partial safety to the country, li the settlers were not satisfied with the opinion of one veterinary surgeon thej should "get two, and so allay any doubts which might exist. He thought it would facilitate matters very much if the surgeon were made an inspector as well. One thing was certain — it was the settlers own interest to have the disease stamped out at once. The Chairman said the Board had applied to the Government to have Mi Naden gazetted an inspector. The position the Board occupied was a very onerous one, and they had applied to the Government for the services of an additional veterinary surgeon. He was fully satisfied with Mr Nadeu ; indeed, the way he had gone about his work had inspired in him the greatest confidence in his professional skill. It was due to him, however, that he should have auothei professional man in consultation. One case would be quite sufficient if the veterinary surgeons agreed. He had spoker to Mr Naden on the subject, and lie had expressed his desire to see the suggestion carried out. Mr Swarbrick said he would like te say one or two words on the plan adopted in similar cases at home. He had had s great deal to do with both sheep and cattle. He had had 5000 sheep yarded, and because one or two were found to be infected with the foot-and-mouth disease the whole flock were destroyed. He had also seen a herd of 500 cattle destroyed because there were a feAv diseased beasts among them. It was the opinion of al veterinary surgeons and all versed in the science at home that the cheapest and only safe way was to kill all infected animals. It was infinitely better thai one man should suffer than that al should suffer. They were told that the Company would be great losers, but was it not a much greater hardship that he who had never clone anything to bring the disease into the country should lose his cattle through the actions of others. Could there be a harder case than thai Avhich he had already brought before them, that of Mr Rumney, a man whe had never speculateel in foreign cattle, but avlio was to suffer through a lot oi cattle reeking with the elisease bein<! driven past his farm and so communicating it to his oavii beasts. He mighi tell them that the feeling in the districi Avas that all the Company's cattle Avhicli were infected should be killed at once. He had seen the animals, and could 1 testify that they exhibited all the symptoms of the disease. In answer to the chairman Captain Steele said there Avere no fresh cases of disease on the Company's property. Mr Willis, a settler residing in the Hokonui district, said he saAv some of the Company's cattle which he believed to be mfecteel with pleuro outsiele his fence adjoining . the Company's property. This was on Sunday, the 18th of la&t month. He drove the cattle away from his fence, and sent a message to Mr "Reynolds to say that he belie\ r ed &ome of the Company's cattle were diseased. The manager came down on the following Tuesday and told him he knew all about it, further inquiring lioav he (Willis) knew it Avas pleuro. He replied that from the symptoms he was confident that the cattle were infected, whereupon Mr Reynolds tolel him to be careful ot what he said or hd might haA'e to summons him. He asked Mr Reynolds "whether, in the event of the disease being pleuro and it being communicated to his cattle, he would pay him the value of the cattle he might lose. To this he could get no answer. Capt. Runciman said it appeared to him that while the Board Avore agreed upon a certain course of action thpy were divided upon the point as to how far they ought to pursue that course. There Avas a large number of diseased cattle on the Company's property, and it appeared to him that the only proper course to be folloAyed was to act on the advice of the veterinary surgeon, and kill all the boasts lie selected. He did not suppose Mr Fantham meant more than this. He would not, for example, advocate the slaughtering of all Mr Rumney 4 s cattle because one cow Avas infected. He thought the remarks that had fallen from Mr Swarbrick most just. He heard that morning that some provincial cattle were diseased. This was a sign that the infection was spreading, and he therefore hoped the Board would take immediate steps to have the diseased animals destroyed. Mr W. L. Martyn said he believed in the vioavs advocated by Mr Fantham. The disease had been known for a week or ten days , and yet the Board had neglected to take action. It appeared to him that the Board were not unanimous, and application should be at once made to the Government to increase the number of the members. Mr Fantham had to do the dirty work when there was any to be done because the other members shrank from it. It was well that Mr Fantham was different from others or there would be nothing done at all. If there were more members this dirty work could perhaps be divided. From the opinions expressed by Mr Buttle, it Avas ca^v to be scon that he avas temporising 1 . If there were ten lotteu animaU in a paddock, and Mr Buttle were consulted, he would v»y

" kill five of thorn." He did not for a moment suppose that Mr Fantham wanted to kill all the cattle, but only those which were diseased Many of tho Conmpany's cattle would, he did not doubt, make some of tho finest beof in the Colony. M.v Fergusson said it seemed to him that the Board was going to shift what Mr Marfcyn called the dirty work on to the shoulders of the meeting. It was not for the meeting to show the Board its duty. The latter were appointed to perform certain things : if they wers incapable of dcing so let them resign. He was afraid the number of the Board could not be increased without an Act of Parliament. Ho agreed with Mr Williamson that when, m the opinion of tho veterinary surgeon, a beaot could not recover it should be slaughtered. When they were at Eureka something had been said with reference to some cows belonging to Mr Cassidy. He would like to know whether they were infected, as it was reported that they had been inoculated. Mr John Runciman said Mr Cassidy had only one beast and that had not been seen for some weeks. The owner told him that it had not been inoculated. The Chairman said the Board felt strengthened by the remarks which had fallen from the various gentlemen, but would like to hear the opinion of any others who had anything to say. Mr Hicks agreed in the main with the other speakers. He did not think it desirable to go in for wholesale slaughter while there was a chance of some of the cattle recovering. Mr Buttle waa pleased to hear the opinions of those present. As a member of the Board he would always strive to do his duty, and hoped it would never be said with justice that he shirked it. He was willing to do all in his power, but he was always open to conviction. Since he had been in that room his opinion regarding the measures to be adopted had been changed, and he would now beg to moye — That c\ cry animal reported by the veterinary surgeon as suffering from pleuro-pneumonia to such an c\tcnt as to remene all hope of reco\ery be at once slaughtered. Mr Fcxntham said there was little difference; between the resolutions only that his met the case much better. Suppose for instance lie had a small farm, and on it one infected beast. Now, because the Inspector thought it possible for that beast to recover was he to be allowed to give the infection to his neighbours clean cattle ? Besides they had it from Mr Naden and many other authorities that a beast which recovered was worth comparatively little, not so much as the price offered by the Government. Some people thought it hard to shoot all the Swamp Company's infected cattle, but it was harder that they should be allowed to spread the disease. The Company had introduced the disease into the country, and did not deserve that more than justice should be meted out to them- He would move his resolution again. With regard to Mr Martyn'a remarks, he might say that he came there to do no dirty work, but to stand up for the good of the settlers in the district. When he failed in this he would be only too willing to x*esign. Captain Runciman asked Mr Naclen if he thought Mr Fanthams resolution necessary for the suppression of the disease. The Chairman said he was determined to do his duty. He was strongly in favor of 'isolation. The Inspector might visit the infected places more than once, and destroy the diseased animals upon each visit. Mr Naden thought all the cattle suffering from the disease in an advanced stage should be killed. A& the chairman had said, lie could visit them more than once. He could not see how they could, proceed to kill all infected beasts without destroying all the animals which had come in contact Avitli the diseased herd. Mr Fergusson thought the Company's cattle should all be removed at least 500 yards back from the public road. The Chairman said, with regard to slaughtering the cattle, that in a large paddock of grass they had seen there was a herd of fine fat cattle, among which a few infected beasts had strayed. Surely this Hue herd of cattle should not be destroyed if the few diseased beasts were killed. ? Captain Steele said it was simply absurd to expect that the company could keep their cattle 500 yards back from the public road. Mr Primrose said lie knew something of the disease in the old couutry, and had never seen a beast recover from it. He said it was easy for the company to keep the cattle back from the Hokonui-road, because there was a creek running pafct within their boundary which, by closing one bridge, could be turned into a fence, thus keeping the cattle back several him* dred yards. Mr. J. B. AVhyte M.H.K., said from' what had fallen from the chairman he would appear to be in favor of killing all cattle in an advanced stage of the disease. The motion had therefore better be altered to that effect, because it would be very difficult for a veterinary surgeon to say whether or not an animal -was likely to recover. Mr Fautham pointed out that his reso« lution exactly met the case as looked at by Mr Whyte, Mr Swarbrick asked if the Board intended to prevent any person from driv ing cattle along the public road ? The Chairman ; Yes. Mr Swarbrick : Then that will meet the resolutions which I read to you some time ago. The Chairman thanked those gentle* men present for their attendance, and said the Board would now proceed to pass resolutions. Mr Runciman asked how the permission granted to Mr Quick to slaughter cattle would be affected by the County Council bye-laws. The Chairman said that was a question for the applicant to arrange with the Council. Mr Fanthara wished the visitors to remain. He thought their deliberations should be opeu to tho public. There was nothing- to be secret about. Mr J. P. Campbell asked what it was proposed to do with regard to cattle on the run. Respecting the spread of the disease, Mr Moon had told him that some of the cattle sold in the Cambridge Yards on the 20th of January last, had found their way to Waitoa. If this proved to be the case the Inspector ought to proceed to that district to make enquiries. Mr Swarbrick asked what was to be done with the 13 head of cattle referred to by him. Captain Steele said he would purchase them if the Board would allow him. The Chairman said the Board had no objection. Mr Swarbrick : Then I will leave them at the Company's piece on Monday morning. Mr Clark asked whether the Board intended making regulations for the public sales in the district. He saw no chance , of stamping out the disease unless the sales were stopped for a certain period. Mr Fantbam said he intended to bring the matter before the Board. The Chairman said he wished to move Mr Fanthams original motion, with the following addition :—: — 'lh.it those i. ittle uhiih, in the opinion of the M'tcrinan surgemi, might hci\e u clnilitc of lecoveung might bo isolated. Any breach of the regulations would of oouv»e bo -ovorely dealt with. Mi* Buttle, with the consent of his

seconder, withdrew his motion and seconded the above, which was then put and carried. Mr Fantham moved — That all cattle sales be stopped for the present in the South Auckland Cattle District ; and that no cattle be allowed to be driven on any public road without an order from the Inspector. Mr Selby asked if anybody would be allowed to drive cattle to the pound. Mr Fantham said the owner of straying cattle should be punished. Messrs J. P. Campbell and Swarbriok "wished to know how this would affect cattle at large on the waste lands. The chairman said the questiou had not reached that stage yet. It would be a great hardship to deter people from grazing their beasts on the run, and he hoped measures would be taken to obviate the difficulty without doing an injustice to these persons. At this stage of the proceedings the visitors left the room. Mr Fantham spoke at some length in support of his motion, urging that the germ of the disease were often left in sale-yards, and so communicated to other beasts. It was no hardship for the butchers to kill beef on the farms. The plan he suggested was the one adopted in England on the rinder post outbreak. Capt. Steele thought they might as well proclaim the whole district infected as carry the resolution. Mr Buttle moved — That consideration of the question be deferred till next meeting. Mr Fantham agreed to this. Mr Story made an explanation ■with regard to the charges brought against him by Mr Buttle at the la-t meeting. He wrote to say that when he last 81W Mr Burke'a cattle he could sec no symptoms of the disease, which was known to make it appearance suddenly. Mr "Fantham had visited the place a short time before, and could detect nothing. Mr Naden said Mr Storey might easily have been deceived, because cattle alter wonderfully in a day even. Mr Buttle expressed his satisfaction at Mr Storey's remarks, Nothing could be more foreign to his intentions than to cast any reflection on that gentleman. Mr'Fantham said the resolution he was about to propose to summon certain persons to give evidence on the subject of the outbreak at the Swamp had been rendered unnecessary for the following reasons : — They were all agreed that the manager of the company had laid himself open to a penalty of £50 for not giving notice that pleuro existed on the estate. It was the duty of the Inspector to prosecute when any offence had been committed against the Act without special instructions from the Board. He hoped, therefore, that the Inspector would do his duty. The prosecution would biing out all the evidence be desired to be made public. If this fine were not enforced he would remind them that- it would not be fair to inflict it in any similar case which might arise in the future. It was agreed to write to Messrs W. and J. Taylor and Messrs Westney Bros., asking them not to remove any cattle in the paddocks adjoining the property of Mr Burke. It was also resolved to write to the auctioneers, asldng them what effect the stoppage of the cattle sales in the district would have. It was arranged to ask for one or two constables to do rangers' duty between Hamilton and Taupiri. Captain Steele gave notice that at next meeting he would bring forward the subject of inoculation, with a view to creating a discussion thereon. Having agreed' to meet on Saturday next, the Board adjourned.