1.—12 a.

7

J. L. BRUCE.]

7 Mr. Witty.] I would like to ask two or three questions. Do you think it is necessary to have a bail for every cow?—lt is not absolutely necessary, so long as you keep in mind that the main object is cleanliness. When a milking-shed is large enough to hold a reasonable percentage of the cows, there could not be any harm in the balance standing by in any properly made yard. 8. Do you prefer a race to a large yard?-i-At the present time I have only seen one race. 1 have not had much experience with them, but from what I have seen I like them. 9 There are always fighting-cows in every herd. Do you not think that a boss cow would be always blocking a race?— When the cows are dehorned there is less fighting; but I certainly agree with you that unless the race is at least 6 ft. wide these boss cows would interrupt the others in a narrow race. 10. With regard to tenants : I am very pleased with your remarks about using common-sense in dealing with the regulations. You get tenants under short leases. Do you think that it is fair to go to much extent beyond cleanliness—that is to say, to make them go and put up new dairies when they have only nine or twelve months or two years for their leases to run? —Certainly not; but I would endeavour to compel the owner to come to the rescue. 11 Do you not think that a good deal of common-sense should be used where there is a short lease, and they should not be compelled to follow out the strict letter of the regulations ?—There are a few short leases round Dunedin, and 1 instructed the Inspector to insist upon them being kept in as good sanitary condition as possible, to see that the milk-supply is not being injured, and just to work away quietly—not to make much noise, but to get the very best results from 12. You think that some *act and judgment should be allowed in cases like that? —The whole thing is a question of judgment. 13 Do you think a verbal notice should prove sufficient for improvements to the byre.'—l have great faith in personal interviews. I prefer to discuss the thing fully, together with other minor points that are hardly worth putting in writing; but major improvements certainly should be put in writing. . . 14. What is the worst feature, as a rule, in connection with these stockyards and dairies t— I think it is carelessness. 15. Now, there is another question with regard to milking in a paddock. Supposing a person has only one or two cows, do you not think it is just as cleanly to milk anywhere in the paddock, so long as it is a clean grass paddock ?—The position is this : In the wet climate that we have in some parts of New Zealand you find the water trickling down the cow's flanks and dropping into the milk-bucket. 16. Would not this occur in the shed?—lf the cow came into the shed wet she would shake the wet off. 17. There is another thing with regard to section 27—that is, giving away milk. Now, there are a number of places where a person has one or two cows, and has no idea of selling milk, but there are a few poor "neighbours, and he gives milk to them. lam not speaking of a town, but in the country? —I believe I had some slight responsibility for that clause being inserted in the regulations. In administering these laws it was found that unscrupulous people frequently disposed of milk surreptiously, much to the detriment of poor people with a registered dairy, and who were dependent upon the sale of their milk for a livelihood; but the main object was to bring all dairies under inspection and under good sanitary conditions. 18. We have got a few people round our district who do not keep cows, and we give it to them. You must not give away any milk from any cow under the new regulations. It seems very hard that a person cannot give away milk when it is practically wasting, without coming under the Act. Do you not think that is going too far ?—ln order to protect the small registered owner the regulation prohibiting the giving-away of milk became a necessity. 19. But in the case I am thinking of there is not a milk-seller within five or six miles? —It is one of those little things of common-sense. The Chairman: Do you wish to ask any questions, Mr. Rhodes? 20. Mr. Rhodes.] You have a general knowledge of the dairying conditions throughout New Zealand as well as Otago?—l have been in Otago for a good many years. I have also seen dairies in other parts of New Zealand. 21. You think that these regulations would apply to all the dairies throughout New Zealand? —Yes; I think they are very good. 22. They do not require modification? —No. The Chairman: Do you wish to say anything, Mr. McNab? 23. Hon. Mr. McJVab.] Supposing you heard of a cow which was on the place where milk was being given away from —without going into the question at all suggesting that a special bail should be put by for milking in—would it not be necessary that the officers should see that she was not affected with tuberculosis? Would you not consider it necessary for one of your officers to see the cow, even if nothing further was done —to examine her?— Just so. 24. Has it come under your notice that cows have been milked when simply rotten with tuberculosis ?—Yes. The Chairman: Mr. Kidd, do you wish to ask anything? 25. Mr. Kidd.] Mr. Bruce, section 8, clause (c), reads as follows: " The floor of every cowshed shall be of an even surface, and formed of concrete or other material impervious to water. A suitable gutter shall be provided and connected with the outlet-drain." What "other material " do you suggest? Take a shed that has a good boarded floor, would you recommend that it be pulled up in order to have some other material substituted, especially in swampy country?— What are the conditions, Mr. Kidd?