SOUTH AUCKLAND CATTLE BOARD.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1299, 26 October 1880, Page 2

SOUTH AUCKLAND CATTLE BOARD.

A meeting of the "Board was held at the Farmers' Club-house, Cambridge, on Saturday. Present — Messrs E. Maclean <ohairman)j Fanthaiji, <R. H. D. Fergusfedn, ami W. L. Martyn 1 . The minutes of the two previous meetings having been read and confirmed, , The ' Chairman referred to the letters' they ~h»d received some time ago from - the manager of the, Waikato Land Asso-jciatio^,-asking for- an inspection of the, cattle.' Acting on that letter 1 , they had instructed Inspector Runciman to procure professional assistance and inspect the cattle as desired. At their last meeting Mr Runciman reported that he had visited the Association's property, but he (the Chairman) was not at all satisfied with the report. He would ask the Secretary' to read the whole of the correspondence which had passed between the Board, the Company, and the inspector previous to the last meeting, This having been done, Mr Fantham said he understood that the Chairman had been in communication , with th^ Crovernment «nee last meeting, and had arranged for the visit from the Chief Inspector and a veterinary surgeon. He wished to know what power the Chairman had to do all this, which in his opinion should have been done in the regular way through the Board. The Chairman read copy of the telegram he had sent to the Government, which was as, follows :—: — Cambridge, 21st October, 1880. The Premier, Wellington. I have written to the Chief Inspector for the Province of Auckland, and it is desired thai the Premier will instruct Air Lewis to attend to this matter, which is very urgent. The correspondence biings out very clearly that the inspector of cattle should be a qualified veterinary surgeon, capable ol deciding whether disease exists or not, instead of a civilian who is not competent, when he does inspect, to decide whether disease exists, or of what character it may be. Evkry Maclean, 1 • Chairman S.A.C.B. The letter referred to, and enclosed in the above, to the Chief Inspector, asked that officer to come up and make an inspection with a duly qualified man, as the local inspector was not competent to undertake the duties. In reply, the Chairman had received the following telegi*ams :—: — Wellington, October 21st. I will have enquiry made on the subject ot your telegram re inspection of cattle. John Hall. Auckland, October 22nd. Have received your letter and enclosures, «md have wired to head-quarters on the subject. Mr &harp, M.K.C.V.S., and self read, if commanded. F. C. Lkwis, Chief Inspector. Wellington. October 22nd. The Premier has instructed Inspectors Lewis and Runciman, with Mr Sharpe, to inspect Waikato La r d Association's cattle, and to report, furnishing you with copies of their reports. D. MAUNSbLL. I Auckland, October 22nd. j Mr Sharp and soli leave tor Waikato tomono w. F. C. Lkwis. I Mr Fantham said when matters of importance buch as this came before the Boar.l, he should know so nething about them. It was not right that Mr Maclean should have done what he had without first calling a meeting of the Board. He simply did everything on his own authority and then called the Board together to agree to what had been done He did not believe in being made d catspaw of in that manner. The chairman was not satisfied with the Inspectors raporr, but that fact would not justify the action which had been taken. Why had the Board not been called ; there was plenty of time ! Mr Martyn said time was a objeot to the Company. The Chairman repeatedthat he was not satisfied with the Inspector's report and he wished to put the matter right. Mr Fantham said it appeared to him that a section of the Board wished simply to get rid of Mr RunciiuAn. The Chairman did not think the Inspector was capable ; his report was altogether valueless. He admitted that he believed the Inspectors intentions to be thoroughly honest. Mr Fergusson said nothing would be gained by wrangling. If the chairman ad done wrong, and he did not say he had, it could not be mended now. He hoped they would get on to business. Mr Martyn commented on the neglect of the Inspector in not taking a veterinary surgeon with him through the Company's property. Mr Fantham thought it highly desirable that a qualified man should inspect the Company's cattle. He, in fact, agreed with all the chairman had done — it was manuer which he objected to — and had always held the opinion that the cattle should have been inspected periodically, instead of which they had not been visited for three months. The Chairman asked Mr Fautham whether he had not expresseil the opinion that the services of a veterinary surgeon were unnecesaai'y. Mr Fantham said the chairman had misunderstood him. What he had said was, that so long as the Inspector was satisfied about the matter the Board should not dictate to him. In the present instance he was evidently not satisfied. The Chairman asked what steps the Board proposed to take at the present juncture. After some little discussion Mr Fergusson moved the following resolution which was carried: — "That, as the Government have ordered Mr Lewis and Mr Runciman, accompanied by Mr Sharpe, V.S. . to inspect and report on the Wiikato Land Association's cattle, the Board request Mr Lewis to inspect Mr Burkes cattle also, and that it is desirable his report should express an opinion as to whether, in case there is no disease, the restrictions should be taken off or not. The Board further express their opinion that the inspection should be of the most thorough character, and embrace every head of cattle, young and old, on the properties mentioned. A copy of this resolution was ordered to be sent to the chief Inspector. It was further resolved That a communication be forwarded to the Premier requesting that the Government may appoint a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to be inspector of cattle in the South Auckland Cattle District, in place of the present lay inspector, the Board feeling that a non-professional opinion is of no official value or weight in deciding whether or not disease exists among cattle. The Board most strongly urge upon th© Premier that this request should be acceded to, for by means of prompt action by a professionally qualified inspector, the Board believe that the disease would be detected in its earliest stages and thereby, if it should unfortunately appaar again it would be more readily stamped out." The Board agreed to accept the resignation of Mr Storey, and the Secretary was instructed to write to certain gentlemen asking if they would consent to be nominated. It was resolved to telegraph to the Manager of the Waikato Land Association as followo : — Cambridge, 23rd October. Tho South Auckland Cattle Board having rcrcived the report of partial inspection of your Company's cattle, a copy of which was sent to you by this day's post, in place of the thorough inspection which the Board desired Mr ltunciman on the 27th September to make, tho Board comuunicatcd with the Premier, on the 21st inst., and requested that he would order the Chief Inspector, Mr Lewis, accompanied by a veterinary surgeon, to make a thorough inspection, to enable the Board to recommend to the Government what steps should bo taken for declaring your

■<_ ! \\ i ■ } ', Company's property a clean district. The Premier replied oh thc-22hd (yesterday), that orders baft b<jen sent to Air te\vi»tp make the inspectioh, and iij-». telegram .received from Mr Lewis yester4ay^*that geflfloman informed the Hoard that he will leavrf Auckland with Veterinary Surgeon Sharpe to-day, for Hamilton, and the Board supposes he has communicated, or will communiratc with you, and arrange for an inspection ot your cattle at once. Eviiry Maclean. This was all the business, and the Board rose.