"Diseased Stock Act, 1872," (Victoria),
and Regulations thereunder.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 1st February, 1873.

THE following copy of an Act, and of certain Regulations published thereunder, for the Prevention of Diseases in Stock, which have been received from the Government of Victoria, are published for general information, and the attention of stockowners and others interested in the exportation of stock to the Colony of Victoria is particularly directed to the subject.

JOHN HALL.

An Act for the Prevention of Diseases in Stock.

[17th December, 1872.]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of Victoria, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows (that is to say):—

1. This Act shall be called and may be cited as "The Diseases in Stock Act, 1872."

2. Part III. of "The Prevention of Diseases of Animals Statute, 1864," and "The Prevention of Diseases of Animals Statute, 1872," No. 418, are hereby repealed.

3. In the construction of this Act, the following words shall, if not inconsistent with the context or subject matter, have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them (that is to say):—

"Inspector of Stock" shall include the Chief Inspector of Stock.

"Stock" shall include any bull, cow, ox, calf, stallion, mare, gelding, foal, ass, mule, ram, ewe, wether, lamb, pig, goat, dog, or other animal whatsoever.

"Drive" shall mean drive, conduct, or convey, whether by land or by water.

"Disease" shall mean any contagious or infectious disease to which any animal is subject, which the Governor in Council may, from time to time, by order, declare to be a contagious or infectious disease for the purposes of this Act.

"Diseased Stock" shall mean all stock proclaimed by the Governor in Council to be diseased.

"Fittings" shall mean any sheep pens, cattle or horse boxes, and any materials used for penning, yarding, or confining stock; as also any halters, brushes, clothes, buckets, or other articles whatever, which shall have been brought in contact with any diseased stock.

"Place" shall mean and include any defined division or portion of the Colony.

"Fodder" shall mean any food or bedding used or which shall have been brought in contact with any imported stock.

4. The Governor in Council may from time to time make such regulations under this Act as may be deemed expedient for all or any of the following purposes, and may rescind the same:—

For extending all or any of the sections of this Act to any particular stock, or kind of stock.

For prohibiting the introduction into the Colony, either by sea or land, of any stock found to be diseased.

For regulating and fixing the conditions upon which certain kinds of stock may be introduced into the Colony.

For the inspection of newly-introduced stock.

For taking such steps as may be deemed expedient to prevent the spread of any disease which may have obtained a footing in the Colony, and to eradicate it.

For placing any stock in quarantine for such periods, at such places or buildings, and within such limits as may be deemed expedient, and for declaring any such place or building a quarantine district.

For the purpose of subjecting any stock to such restrictions or remedial measures as may be deemed necessary to prevent the introduction and spread of disease.

For the seizure and destruction of any diseased stock.

For the purpose of proclaiming any portion of the Colony a quarantine or a clean district.

For prohibiting or regulating the introduction into the Colony of any fodder or fittings, and for the seizure, sale, or destruction of any such fodder or fittings landed without the written authority of an Inspector of Stock.

5. The Governor in Council may from time to time appoint and remove a Chief Inspector of Stock, Inspectors of Stock, and such other officers as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

6. Inspectors of Stock shall have power to enter at any time into any ship, or on any land, or into any building not being a dwelling-house, for the purpose of inspecting any stock or enforcing the provisions of this Act or the regulations made in pursuance hereof. Any person who shall obstruct or hinder any Inspector in the performance of his duty shall, on conviction before two Justices of the Peace, forfeit and pay a penalty not exceeding...