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to second quality. I think the Government grading, if any, should be limited to saying that certain carcases of meat are not fit to be frozen. . 69. Mr. Buchanan.'] Would you explain your grounds for this?—l take it that in a wet season we find some lambs that are " back in the tail," and, as far as we can tell from outward handling, these are fit to kill; but when killed they are so miserably thin in the flanks as to be mere " lanterns ;" and these should not be exported. I think that one Government Inspector is all that is wanted, who, by going through the rows of sheep after killing, would be able to pick out any that are either absolutely unsightly, or " lanterns," or blue in the leg, and so on. Ido not think he would find many as a rule, although in former years there have been sheep exported that should not have been sent Home. 70. Mr. Wason.] Do I understand that you would advocate Government inspection provided that the Inspector's duties were limited ? —I have no objection to Government inspection in factories, only as to what is not fit to freeze. 71. Do you not think it would be very difficult to define the duties of the Inspector ? I have seen meat sent Home so fat that it was condemned for the market there ?—I should propose to limit the duties of the Inspector to saying whether the sheep were too thin or in bad condition. 72. Cannot sheep be in bad condition by being too fat as well as too thin ? Do you not think it brings up the whole question of grading?—l think grading should be struck out of the Bill altogether. I believe the interests of the trade would be better served by leaving grading alone in the meantime. 73. Mr. Laivry.] I understand Mr. Anderson to make the statement that a very large proportion of the stock killed is unfit for human consumption ?—I meant a considerable number of the cattle. I did not refer to sheep. 74. What percentage do you mean by a large proportion? —Well, it would be very difficult to say; but there is no doubt that a large number of cattle killed—not so much lately but some time ago—were affected with tuberculosis. 74a. Are you speaking of Christchurch or of the colony generally?—l am speaking of Canterbury. 75. What became of the diseased meat ?—lt was sent to the vats. I think that the Government Inspectors should be empowered to send all meat of questionable character to the vats. The freezing companies provide a means for disposal by boiling down cattle of all descriptions; and no meat, that is in any way unsound, should be either frozen or preserved. 76. Mr. Buchanan.'] The Glasgow meat business is generally understood to be very closely looked after. I remember seeing sheep and cattle of the description that you call " lanterns " sold there, and know the purposes to which they were put. Old sheep and " lanterns " are rolled up into spiced hams, &c.—they are admittedly perfectly healthy. Suppose the New Zealand farmer is able to make sixpence more out of his lambs in this way than by any other—perhaps to save them from starving—why should you give the Inspector power to say that the lambs shall not be exported?—Of course I should prefer that the Government left us alone to meet the cases as they arise. 77. In other words the word " inspection " that you have used repeatedly in your evidence, would mean health-inspection ?—Yes. 78. Let us take a case : An animal, as frequently happens with sheep, has suffered from inflammation. The sheep has recovered, but the lungs are all more or less stuck to the ribs: an Inspector could not say that the animal is diseased as there is nothing left except these lesions. Should that sheep be permitted to go into the tins?—l should certainly say, put it in the tins. Although the disfigurement might interfere with its being frozen, it is perfectly good for preserving. I may add that we have to draw the bulk of our preserved meat from station merinos in dry seasons when they have to be killed to save them from starvation. 79. You would then permit, subject to a health point of view, all classes of stock to be exported if it suited the settlers' purposes to do so?—My idea is that we ought to do nothing that will deteriorate the value of our flocks from a grower's point of view. The export of meat was started for the purpose of putting value on our stock, and if we do anything that interferes with the value of the stock to the grower we shall do a very great injury to the country. 80. Do your Ohristchurch freezing companies slaughter many cattle ?—No ; cattle are virtually not grown in Canterbury—the number is a mere bagatelle. 81. The statement that disease existed in considerable numbers of cattle prompted my question?— There are virtually no cattle exported from Canterbury. 82. As to "pregnancy " —do you consider pregnancy a bar to tinning?— Not to tinning. It is to selling locally, or to freezing. 83. Mr. Ritchie.] " Advanced pregnancy " are the words?—l do not take any objection to that —there is no doubt you would not offer such meat for sale locally, nor would you attempt to freeze it; but there is no reason why a large proportion of the meat should not be preserved. I agree with Mr. Nelson's remarks on the subject. 84. Mr. Buchanan.] As to compensation, suppose a butcher inspects a pen of sheep at the Addington Yards, and buys them with his eyes open, and two or three per cent, turn out to be diseased, would you make the owner liable ?—Yes, I would, if he knew they were diseased. 85. Who would you define the owner to be in case the sheep had passed through several hands before being sold in the yards ?—lf we bought the sheep we should go for the man who sold them to us, and he would have recourse against the man he purchased from. 86. Can you inform us whether there is any branch of trade carried on with such a liability on the part of the seller ?—Yes, I think most merchandise is bought with a warranty that it is as described by the seller. 87. With regard to the question of branding, I understand that the Stock Department says that, even if power is given in the Bill, it does not desire to compel the use of brands that would injure the carcases in the way you describe. Is it in your opinion wise to give any department