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REPORT—continued:

I have given in former reports so many instances of the facility with which isolated flocks may be cured, that I need not mention any here; but I may be allowed to refer to a case shewing what may be done by co-operation even in the most difficult circumstances.

On the 28th of February last it was discovered that the flock of Messrs. Owen and Buller between the Wangaehu and Turakina rivers, had become infected with scab. The appearance of the disease in that neighbourhood was so unexpected that no particular care had been taken to prevent frequent mixtures with the neighbouring flocks, of which there were three — Messrs Cameron and Clark, and Messrs. Richards on one side; and Mr. Thos. Cameron on the other. In the course of a few days I found that the disease had made considerable progress in Messrs. Owen and Buller’s flock; that the Messrs. Richards’ flock was decidedly infected; a stray lamb of Messrs. Owen and Buller’s, very scabby, in the very heart of Messrs. Cameron and Clark’s flock; and on the upper boundary, Mr. Cameron’s flock not yet infected, so far as I could see, but nearly certain to become so, since it was mixing constantly with Messrs. Owen and Buller’s flock.

The country occupied by these four flocks is fully as rough and difficult as any used for sheep in these districts. Messrs. Owen and Buller had only very recently taken possession of their run, and had just made arrangements for more fully stocking it. They had nothing ready for the occasion, and altogether the circumstances were as difficult as any which had ever occurred, or are ever likely to happen here. Nevertheless, the neighbourhood was again pronounced clean considerably within the first period allowed by the Act. This result was obtained by the promptness and energy of Mr. Owen in getting dipping materials and apparatus on to the ground, and by careful and simultaneous mustering and dipping of his own and the neighbouring flocks by their respective owners. Messrs. Owen and Buller and Messrs Richards, whose flocks were actually infected, dipped for the cure of the disease until that object was accomplished. Messrs. Cameron and Clark, and Mr. Thos. Cameron whose flocks were only in danger of being infected, dipped each twice at intervals to prevent infection, and the boundaries of the several runs were in the meantime shepherded as carefully as possible. The total cost per sheep, or per run, was not a tithe of the amount spent in lawsuits and the use of inefficient means in that part of the district which is still under scabby report. There was no appreciable loss of a market, and there was an entire absence of that ill feeling which is always engendered when neighbours flocks become scabby and are not speedily cured.

I have only to add that my three years experience, and the disappointment I feel at having still so report scab in the district, forces upon me the conviction that the office of Inspector is only of use to prevent the open removal from place to place of scabby sheep, and the probably more general diffusion of the disease throughout the district.

Whether such service is worth the money that is paid for it is not for me to say, but I think it my duty to report to you my conviction that the total eradication of the disease can only be effected under a new Act, or by the voluntary co-operation of the sheep farmers themselves.

I am your obedient servant,

A. M’Donald,

Sheep Inspector.

Wanganui, 30th October, 1867.