Please wait. Contacting image service... loading

Article text

THE OUTBREAK OF SCAB IN NEW
SOUTH WALES.
A meeting, convened by circular, for the
purpose of deyisiDg the best means to prevent
the introduction of scab into the colony from
New South Wales, was held at the Burra
Institute on Friday, April 4. There were
about twenty-five persons present, principally
sheep owners, also the Chief Inspector of
Bheep and Inspector Ker. Mr. T. Warnes
was voted to the chair. The Chairman
stated the object of the meeting, and read a
portion of a speech by Mr. H. T. Morris at
a meeting held at Adelaide relative to the
same subject. Mr. W. Barker Baldina
moved the first resolution— ' That in the
opinion of this meeting no sheep should be
allowed to cross the Border from New South
Wales for three months from April 1.' This
was seconded by Mr. W. Cockrum, Caroona.
An amendment was moved by Mr. Wade,
Winninnie — 'That the Government be re
quested to take due precaution to prevent
the introduction of scab.' Mr. Wade thought
that from the long distance that intervened
between the infested district and our Border
there was no fear of our flocks being infected,
the flockowners of New South Wales being
quite as anxious as ourselves to prevent the
spread of scab. The amendment was
seconded by Mr. Moseley, Coondamboo, Port
Augusta. He referred to the movers of the
resolution as being swayed by selfish motives.
How were we to obtain our store sheep ex
cept from over the Border? Were we to
starve ourselves for the benefit of a few
people who had fat stock ? It was ridiculous
to Buppose that the scab would be carried
500 or 600 miles in a short time,
with Government Inspectors and owners
of sheep all along the route ready to do their
utmost to prevent its introduction. Mr. W.
H. Duncan (Ouluina) Baid the Inspector at
Wentworth had refused to allow sheep to
travel. Mr. Wade said that report had been
contradicted. Mr. Armstrong (Berta, New
South Wales) supported the amendment. It
would be a very narrow-minded policy to
stop the trade altogether. Mr. Foote
(Outalpa) supported the amendment. The
meeting having requested the Chief Inspec
tor to state what was being done, he said
that no sheep would be allowed over the
Border which had come from anywhere near
the infected districts. Proper precautions
would be taken on this side, whilst in New
South Wales the Wentworth Board had in
terdicted travelling, and he had no doubt
the Menindie Board would do the same.
This would prevent any danger. It would
be impossible to say until the winter how far
the disease had extended, but they might
denend upon this— stockowners on the other
side would see that no communication was
allowed between the infected and nonin
fected districts. Mr. Kingsmill (Paratoo)
suggested an addition to Mr. Wade's amend,
ment—' That an Inspector should be ap
pointed specially to examine and look after
any travelling sheep.' He might go into
New South Wales territory and look after
them there. The Chief Inspector doubted
our power to do anything over the Border.
Mr. Wade agreed to add to his motion the
advisability for appointing an Inspector for
six months. Mr. Koote seconded the motion
thus altered, and the original proposition was
withdrawn. Before putting the amended
motion the Chairman explained that he had
been strongly urged to call the meeting : and
he had no personal interest in the matter,
not having a single fat sheep for uale. The
motion was then put and carried unani
mously.
$