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2824. What did he receive ?—£4oo. 2825. What did he retire upon ? —A year's salary. 2826. Hon. the Chairman.) With regard to lice in sheep :do you think it would be advisable to bring in an amendment to the Act, by which Inspectors would be empowered to compel sheepowners to dip for lice in sheep without cancelling the certificate for scab ? —I have already suggested clauses almost in the very words you have just put it—in this way, that if the Inspector should be satisfied that the run-sheep, were infected with lice he would give notice to dip. 2827. You would put infection with lice on a somewhat different footing ? Yes ; on a different footing. 2828. I would ask you another question in regard to Mr. Hately. I see, in regard to his leave of absence, that he first got leave of absence; then, for some reason or other, he made another application: was he able to make use of his leave in the first instance :do you know the circumstances ? —I think it was as you state. 2829. There was some reason ? —He was too ill to travel. 2830. He said that unless he got full pay he would not be able to take advantage of his leave ? —Yes. 2831. He got full pay for three months ?—Yes. 2832. Half-pay for five months ? —Yes. 2833. Is that unusual ?—Yes; except under special circumstances. 2834. There were special circumstances you think in this case?— Yes; he was very ill. 2835. Do you think he is able to do his duties now ?—He is able to do tho port work where he is. 2836. What age is he ? —He is a man of from fifty-one to fifty-five years of age