H.—B

2

[Extract from New Zealand Times of the 28th March, 1884.] Fresh Outbreak of Scab at Nelson. Sir, — To the Editor of the New Zealand Times. A flock of sheep brought over from the Marlborough District by Mr. Archer last week, with a travelling certificate, turned out, on inspection at the saleyards here by our local Inspector, to be seriously infected with scab. Great credit is due to our Inspector for his keen vigilance in this instance, as otherwise it might have proved a serious affair to the surrounding sheepowners; and, as it is, the saleyards cannot be again used for a considerable period for the yarding of sheep. I have, &c, E. J. Bentley.

Mr. B. P. Bayly to Sheep Inspector Blundell, Blenheim. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th March, 1884. Have all sheep from which Archer's lot was taken been examined, and with what result ? Is it certain that the sheep delivered in Nelson are identical with those seen at Havelock ? What steps have you taken since ? Benj. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector.

Mr. A. K. Blundell to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Telegram.) Blenheim, 29th March, 1884. All the flocks from which Archer's sheep were taken have been examined. Gould's, Mills's, and Bourke's sheep are perfectly free from infection. Harvey's sheep had been dipped before I saw them, so could not find insect. I leave for there again on Tuesday night to make a second examination, as one or two sheep were slightly doubtful. Harvey says he dipped for ticks, and evidence goes to corroborate his statement. I cannot say what sheep arrived in Nelson, as Inspector Price has treated me in a very off-hand manner, and gives me very few particulars. Am anxious to see his report to you. lam making every endeavour to obtain information. When can I expect you over ? A. K. Blundell, Sheep Inspector.

Mr. B. P. Bayly to Sheep Inspector Price, Nelson. (Telegram.) Wellington, 29th March, 1884. Have sheep driven by Archer been thoroughly examined, ear-marks, brands, and description taken, so that their identity with those examined by Blundell is positive ; have all stray ones been found; and have you laid information against Archer under section 45 for allowing infected sheep to stray ? Benj. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector.

Mr. E. G. Price to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Telegram.) Nelson, 29th March, 1884. I thoroughly examined sheep. Most of the sheep infected had the same ear-mark. I telegraphed to Blundell the flocks they came from, and the ear-mark of sheep principally infected. Have not taken action pending inquiry. Stray sheep have not yet been found. E. G. Price, Sheep Inspector.

Mr. Eichard Hull to Mr. B. P. Bayly, Superintendent Inspector, Wellington. (Memorandum.) Blenheim, sth April, 1884. In accordance with your desire for a report from me on the recent case of introduction of scab from Marlborough into Nelson, I have-to state that I was first made aware of the circumstance by Inspector Blundell on my return from Tory Channel, in the Sounds, on Saturday, the 22nd March, who informed me that the sheep taken through by P. Archer had been pronounced infected on their arrival in Nelson ; and, as it must have come from one of the four flocks from which Archer had bought sheep, we decided on making a thorough examination of them, for which purpose I accompanied Mr. Blundell to Manaroa on Monday, the 24th March, and the next day had a muster of Harvey's sheep made, getting 681 put in the yard out of 700, which, he said, was the number he ought to have. We made a most complete examination, and after some time caught two sheep which showed a little sign of having something wrong, but as they had only been dipped a fortnight previously in a solution of hot lime and sulphur we found it utterly impossible to discover the insect, nor could we come to a thorough determination that it was scab. We had the sheep marked, however, and decided to make another examination in a week or ten days' time. We then went to Bourke's place in the Kenepuru, which was one of the flocks from which Archer had bought, and getting all his sheep in (197). We passed them slowly several times, and had no difficulty in pronouncing them perfectly clean, they not having been dipped for several years. Next morning Mr. Blundell left me, as he had to return to Blenheim on important business, and I proceeded to get in Mills's flock, being the third of the four doubtful flocks. He has Very few remaining, having sold the half to Mr. Cawte. After careful examination I was able to say they were perfectly clean and sound. I then went to see the other half of his flock, and found on arrival at Cawte's that they had not been landed from the cutter, as they had heard the rumour and were afraid of doing .so without an Inspector's leave. I looked -them over carefully and they were perfectly clean. In tact, they would have showed anything most distinctly after being cooped up in the hold of a vessel for five days. With my advice Mr. Cawte' decided on at once returning them to Mills's, so as to avoid all chance of legally infecting his flock. I then went to Gould's, in Nydia Bay, the last of the four places, and, after a good muster and well looking into, had no trouble in deciding them to be quite free from infection of any kind. After having finished my round, I was quite convinced in my own mind that if scab existed it