H.—32

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

PLEURO-PNEUMONIA AMONGST CATTLE IN SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT (REPORT BY T. MICHIE, ESQ., M.R.C.V.S.L., ON THE EXISTENCE OF).

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Hall, with the leave of the House.

Mr. Michie to the Hon. the Colonial Secretaby. giE,— Cambridge, 24th April, ISBO. I have the honor to report, for the information of the New Zealand Government, that from instructions received I proceeded from Wellington to Auckland; thence to Hamilton, Waikato: not finding cither Veterinary Surgeon Naden or Inspector Runciman there, I proceeded on to Cambridge, the head-quarters of the South Auckland Cattle Board, reporting myself on arrival to the Chairman of the Board, also to Inspector Runciman. Next morning, the 21st instant, I proceeded, along with Veterinary Surgeon Naden, to the Pale Farm of Messrs. Maclean and Co., and examined three Devon cows with their calves. Externally I could not discover any syrnptons of pleuro-pneumonia epizootica. One of them was in rather poor condition, but, as the animals were too wild to admit of being handled, I was unable to form a diagnosis as to 'the cause of the condition. On the afternoon of the same day, accompanied by Messrs. Naden and Allom (the local veterinary surgeon), I paid a visit to Grwymieland, the farm of Mr. A. A. Fantham, and inspected his cattle. They were all in good health and condition with the exception of one shorthorn bull, " Lord Darlington," which was suffering from tuberculosis (consumption) of long standing. I requested the bull to be destroyed, to which the owner willingly consented. Post-mortem appearances proved the animal to have been in the very last stage of the disease. Next morning, the 22nd instant, along with Veterinary Surgeon Naden and Inspector Runciman, I visited the farm of Mr. Burke, Te Awamutu, and inspected his cattle. lam sorry to say they were in a bad state as regards pleuro-pneumonia epizootica, 1 requested one of his cows to be destroyed. On post-mortem examination I found the disease to have arrived at a very advanced stage. The cow I found, on inquiry, to have been in Mr. Burkes possession for two and a half years. I enclose that gentleman's certificate to that effect, which proves that the disease must have been communicated to the animal from the New South Wales cattle purchased by Mr. Burke in the province. I may add that the three cows, New South Wales breed, that I found in Mr. Burkes herd, were all suffering from pleuro in a subacute form. On the 23rd, still in company with Messrs. Naden and Runciman, I proceeded to Woodlands, the property of the Piako Land Association, where I found every preparation had been made for a thorough investigation of some 123 head of cattle. I selected six—had them destroyed—and postmortem appearances in all of them examined proved that pleuro-pneumonia epizootica existed in various stages. The .123 animals that the lot was said to consist of were exclusively New-South-Wales-bred. Enclosed you will find a certificate from the manager, Mr. Reynolds, to that effect. Enclosed also are certificates of all post-mortem examinations that I have made during my stay in Waikato, in conjunction with Mr. Naden, M.R.C.V.S.L. I must say that every consideration was paid me by owners, managers, and overseers, &c.; and, although some of them were not to be convinced that pleuro of a highly contagious and infectious nature existed in their herds, yet I am of opinion that in a very short time all will be amenable to reason, and, taking into consideration the immense area the disease has been allowed to spread over, it will take time and much trouble to eradicate it. In my opinion there could not be a better man at the head of affairs than Mr. Naden, as regards the stamping out of the " fell disease," and I am only sorry I could not disagree with that gentleman's diagnosis. The Cattle Board are working most energetically for that desired end. In conclusion, I beg to assure the Government that any further information they may require I shall, if able, at all times be most willing to give. I have, &c, T. Michie, M.R.C.V.S.L., The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Veterinary Surgeon.