THE TAURANGA SHEEP DISEASE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3099, 26 May 1892, Page 2

THE TAURANGA SHEEP DISEASE.

» In the course of an interesting article en the East Coast districts, of Katikati, Tauranga, and Te Puke, a writer in the Farmer mentions that a somewhat new theory is propounded as to the origin of the mysterious Tauranga sheep disease. This, it is believed by many settlers arises from gome malarial element coutained in the water which the animals drink. The writer describes the water in many of the drinking places about Tauranga as being discoloured and red-looking, a floculent or jelly-like substance being present in it, particularly after heavy rain. As a contrast to this, at Katikati, where sheep do remarkably well, and where, in fact diseased flocks are taken from Tauranga to recover their health and condition, the water is described as beautifully pure and clear, generally consisting of running streams, with a bottom of waterworn stonos. In referring to this local opinion, the writer sensibly remarks: "That in investigating the mysterious sheep sickness, one of the first steps should have been to have had the Tauranga, Te Puke, and Katikati water carefully analysed." From full enquiry, tho only cmelusion that could be arrived at, was, that whatever it may be, there is some difficulty to be met in breeding sheep about Tauranga, which does not exist, say in Waikato and elsewhere. As some support to tho theory, that the trouble lies in the water, we may add, that in Hawkes Bay, where sheep do splendidly, the soil is rather sharp, and over-lying a limstone formation, the country being generally hilly and noted for its clear streams, running over beds of shingle.