H.—B.

Sess. 11. —1884. NEW ZEALAND.

INTRODUCTION OF SCAB INTO NELSON DISTRICT (PAPERS RELATING TO THE LATE).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 29th August, 1884. Ordered, " That the whole of the evidence and papers connected with the late introduction of scab into the Nelson District by Mr. Archer be laid before this House." — (Mr. Levastam.)

Mr. E. G. Price to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Telegram.) Eichmond, 20th March, 1884. Six hundred sheep in saleyards yesterday infected. Certificate from Blundell, and passed by Inspector Hunt two days previously. Will write and report. E. G. Price, Sheep Inspector.

Mr. A. K. Blundell to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Telegram.) Blenheim, 22nd March, 1884. Inspector Price wires: " Sheep brought by Peter Archer, with your certificate, are infected." He gives no further particulars, but will write. Archer got the sheep from Harvey, Bourke, J. Mills, and Gould. I inspected them in Havelock, found no sign of disease, and granted certificate. I shall at once inspect all those flocks, as Inspector Groom reported them clean, and I acted on his report. A. K. Blundell, Sheep Inspector.

Mr. E. G. Price to Sheep Inspector Hunt, Nelson. (Memorandum.) 24th March,_ 1884. Inspector Hunt will please give the reason as to why he allowed infected sheep to be driven to the Eichmond saleyards. E. G. Price.

Mr. Thomas Hunt to Sheep Inspector Price, Nelson. (Memorandum.) 24th March, 1884. I have the honour to inform you that my reason for passing Archer's sheep on to Eichmond saleyards was this: I could not find the insect on the sheep, and I had no yards to put them in. Chief Inspector Canning applied for yards and dip in Happy Valley, but they were not granted. If I had yards there, this would not have taken place. Thomas Hunt, Inspector of Sheep.

Mr. B. G. Price to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Memorandum.) 24th March, 1884. I forward the following report with regard to infected sheep found in Eichmond saleyards on Wednesday, the 19th March last. On arrival at the yards from Ellis Brothers on the day of sale, I inspected Peter Archer's flock, 588 in number, and found them infected. I called Mr. Hunt into the yard and showed him live scab upon the sheep. He then acknowledged that the flock were infected. These sheep arrived in Happy Valley from the Marlborough District, Peter Archer in charge, on the 17th March last, with a clean certificate from Inspector Blundell, dated 14th of same month, only three days previously, and were there passed by Inspector Hunt, and allowed to travel on to the Eichmond yards, where they arrived on the 19th. On the 20th I picked out forty-six slightly infected, and had them carted to the safest paddock, with dip in it, distance about two miles, and the rest driven. On Saturday morning I saw the whole flock dipped in sulphur and lime. Mr. G. Haycock's flock, 340, arrived next day. There was not the slightest sign of anything wrong with them, but shall have to declare them infected, owing to eleven sheep of Archer's having mixed with his. I asked Mr. Hunt his reason for allowing the sheep to come to the yards, and forward his answer. I think an inquiry should be made as to how the sheep were allowed to leave the Marlborough Province, and how Inspector Hunt allowed them to be taken to the Eichmond yards. In consequence of sixty of this flock being lost on the road, I have telegraphed to Inspector Blundell that I stop the Eye Valley Eoad until such time as the sheep are found. I intend to take precaution to have the saleyards washed and retarred, and any sheep near them on that day dipped. I have written to Inspector Blundell on the subject. E. G. Price. I—H. 8.