Public Meeting at Ohaupo.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1216, 15 April 1880, Page 2

Public Meeting at Ohaupo.

A public meeting of settlers, convened by Mr H. Buttle, Chairman of the Waipa County Council, was held in the large sale shed adjoining the yard, Ohaupo, on Tuesday last, immediately after Mr Buckland's sale. There was a very large attendance, about 100 persons being present, and on the motion of Captain Kunciman, Mr Buttle was called to the chair. The Chairman said the meeting had been called in accordance with a resolution passed at that morning's meeting 1 of the County Conncil, and he would like to hear the whole subject fully and fieely discussed. The question of the outbreak of pleuro in the district was becoming a very serious oae, and every day added to its importance. They would greatly strengthen the hands of the Cattle Board by freely discussing the question, and so materially aid in suppressing the disease. He believed that several resolutions had been prepared, and he would now call on Captain Runciman to move the first. Captain Runciman said it was now patent that the disease had made its ap■pannnnnn in tKain- w»i<lafc__aiuLifc._l)B}lO«<nl them to take prompt measures for its suppression. The Board was taking decisive action, and they should second them. He knew that to some of them little short of ruin would ensue, but no matter who suffered, it; would be better for everybody were the disease stamped out. Everything that tended to strengthen the hands of the Cattle Board would naturally have the effect tf going towards stamping out the terrible disease which unfortunately had got amongst them. He would therefore move, That, taking into consideration, the serious aspect of the disease ot pleuro-pneumonia as at present existing in this district, this meeting would respectfully urge upon the Cattle Board the necessity of taking the most piompt and decisive measures for its suppression. The passing of this resolution would show the Board that they were willing to assist them. The resolution was seconded by Mr D. McNicol. I The chairman said so far as regarded himself, it was a long time before he could bring himself to aid in taking such strong measures, but he had changed his -views, and he now thought that no aclion which the Cattle Board could take for the suppression of the disease could be too severe. (Hear hear.) They must know no man in the question, but simply act for the good of the country at large. Mr S. Sfeele said the resolution was all very well so long as it referred to other peoples cattle, but it assumed a different aspect when ones own cattle were concerned. He would like to know who was going to pay them for the beasts destroyed. When the cattle were killed nothing was left out of the sum allowed by Government for compensation — it was all swallowed up in fees for inspection. There was too much inspection altogether. He found no fault with proclaiming infected districts, but he thought more should be left to the settlers themselves in the matter of getting rid of the disease. Before they destroyed any cattle they should consider how the owner was to be compensated. (Hear.) Mr Burke said he would like to say a few words. He was the only one amongst them that had suffered. It was now said that he had disease at his Pukerimu farm. If such was the case then all he could say was that it might break oat in any part of the district. He thought, that as the Government had introduced the disease into the district they should bear the expense of stamping it out. He was also of opinion that the amount of compensation allowed should be increased to at least two-thirds of the value of the cattle destroyed. The last speaker had complained that they had too much inspection ; but he thought if they had a little more the disease might have been kept out of the country. The Chairman said they must remember that the Board were only carrying out the laws laid down for them by Parliament. Nothing else could be done until the Act was either amended or repealed. Mr Burke thought the Oovornment had power to alter the terms of the Order-in-Council at any tine. He complained that the Order was very arbitrary; under it the inspector could bring a veterinary surgeon on a man's farm at any time and charge for such a visit. Too much power was placed in the hands of the inspector. Mr Fleming asked if it was the intention of the Board to proclaim the whole of the Waipa County an infectod district. The Chairman did not know. It was not stated at tho la^t meeting of the Board. Since then other things had arisen, and h.' thought it highly probable that snob, would be the cisp. Mr Fleming thought it a very hard matter. At the request of Mr Burko, the chair-

man read those clauses of the Order-in-Council referring to this district. ! Mr MoNiool said the Order-in-Council mado it incumbent on owners of cattle to report the existence of diseoso in their herds under pain of a heavy five. He would ask any person who had seen his eattie whether ho could have supposed them to be infected ; and was he to be fined ? The Chairman said, certainly not ; the case only had reference to those who wilfully withheld the information. Mr Burke Baid those present would now perceive the unreasonableness of the fees which had to be paid to the inspector. It was the duty of the Board to urge the Government to pay the expenses. The Chairman suggested that a motion to that effect should be brought forward. The resolution moved by Captain Runcinvm was then put and carried. Mr Wainwright begged to move aB follows :— That this meeting concurs with the action of the Cattle Board in prohibiting any person from driving cattle on any public road within the South Auckland Cattle District for a period of one month. This was seconded by Mr W. L. Martyn. Mr Edwards asked if a person could drive cattle acrof-s a road from one paddock to another, or to water. Mr Storey did not think the Board had any desire to press on any set ler. Mr Morrison said he knew of people who were compelled to drive their cattle along a road to water. Mr Atkinson thought the resolution should be altered to read from " one district to another.'' How would, the resolution affect those cattle on the runs in different places, such as Cambridge ? The Chairman said he did not think they would find a beast on the Cambridge run at the present. Mr Fleming suggested that the proposed alteration in the wording of the resolution should be made. Mr Wainwright was quito agreeable. MvH. Roche thought it a great hai dship for the people of Waipa to be obliged to send to Cambridge for the services of the inspector. They should have another inspector for their part of the country. The Chairman said the Board had seen the necessity for an additional inspector, as well as for a second veterinary surgeon, and they had applied to the Government for assistance. He believed that a veterinary surgeon had been sent for from Cbristohurch. Mr TV. L. Martyn, speaking to the motion, said if it was wrong for a man to drive his cattle five miles alonsr a public road, it was wrong to drive them five chains. The Board had done their duty, and ho thought the meeting should strengthen them. The Chairman ?aid it was not for the meeting to say what the Board should do, but simply to say whether or not they approved of their action. Mr Steele opposed the motion. Mr J. S. Buckland approved of the action of the Board. Their proclamation would not" affect owners of clean cattle, who could get a permit from the inspector or any two members of the Board to move their cattle anywhere. Too stringent measures could not be taken if the disease was to be prevented from spreading all over the country. Mr Fdwnrds, after hearing Mr Buckland's explanation, would withdraw his opposition to the motion, which was then put and carried unanimously. Mr. S. Steele move— » That this meeting respectfully request that the whole expense in connection with the inspection of pleuro cattle should be met from the public, purse, and also that a more liberal compensation should be made for cattle destroyed by order ol the inspector. Mr H. J. Turner seconded, taking oc casion to remark that the expenses ought to cume out of the pockets of all beefeaters as weli as beef-growers. Mr W. Higginson moved as an amendjnent— Th.it as the Government Inspector allowed th; cattle that brought the disease into the countr) to be landed, the Government bear all the expenses incurred in stamping it out, particularly as one of the present Government is known te h.ue a large interest in the company that intioduced it. The amendment was seconded by Mi Morrison, and carried by a large majority. Mr R. Reynolds moved the next resolution as follows ;—; — That the Cattle Hoard be requested to see tha( all cattle at present, and that h.i\ c been in the habit of tunning upon roads and waste lands within the South Auckland Cattle District be immediately enclosed. Allstray cattle in the Cambridge district had been enclosed. He thought cattle running about the waste lands were fat more likely to communicate the disease than any others. I Mr Thomas Hunt seconded. Mr Morrison suggested that the resolution should ony apply to infected districts. Mr Turner said it was hard to know which were infected and which were not. The resolution was put and carried. Mr Roche moved — That the J-Jo.n d be requested to appoint another inspector for Waipa. Carried. Mr Hunt moved — That this meeting tespcctfully thinks that it is highely necessary that tho|!tn«.pector and any \etrinary suigeon he may emplo) should take some measures to disinfect themsehes brtorc Siting anothci faun, after making a/W mot lent examination. The motion was seconded by Mr D. McNichol, and carried. Ou the motion of Cipt. Runciman, it was resolved to forward the foregoing resolutions to the Cattle Board. *nd after the customary compliments to the chair the meeting terminated.