8 May, 1907.] Stock Inspection Methods in New Zealand. 273 



STOCK INSPECTION METHODS I\ NEW 

 ZEALAND. 



Report on the Work of the Veterinary Branch. 



W. J. ColcbaicJi, B.Sc. (Agr.), iV.A'.C.V.S. 



Prior to the enactment of The Sla/zghte/ing and Inspection Act 1900, 

 the veteriiTLary division of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture had 

 to depend for its efficiency upon a total staff of from four to eight officers, 

 and of this number three only were qualified veterinarians. In 1901, how- 

 ever, fifteen miem.bersi of the Royal iCoUege of Veterinary Surgeons were ap- 

 pointed from Great Britain, and, in addition, five local veterinarians 

 (c|ualified) were induced to join the division. The purpose of this reor- 

 ganization of the Department was to pro\-ide for strict inspection of all 

 methods and practices in vogue at public and private abattoirs and meat 

 \vorks. It is abundantly proved that as far as this function is concerned 

 the efforts of the inspectorial staff have been signally successful. Further, 

 in connexion with stock and dairy inspection, and particularly in actual 

 field-woTk amongst the farmers themselves, the Government veterinary offi- 

 cers ihave so far proved their worth to the Colony as to win the encomiums 

 of the public and the press. These facts are cited to show that the intro- 

 duction of trained men into the Colony has resulted not only in accomplish- 

 ing the specific purposes in view, but also in rousing the farmers and pas- 

 toralists to a keen sense of their responsibilities in regard to the care and 

 treatment of all classes of live stock. 



In New Zealand, as in all young Colonies, the natural spirit of self- 

 reliance t/hat arose from sheer force of circumstances, and formed so essen- 

 tial a characteristic of the successful pioneer, gave birth to an unreasonable 

 .sense of antipathy towards scientific measures and their exponents. To 

 l)reak down this misguided opposition, and thereby to pave the way towards 

 the harmonious co-operation of farmers and veterinarians in the eradication 

 and prevention of stock ailments, has been the arduous yet pleasing duty of 

 these officers. The advantages! which have already accrued from this- 

 source, namely, the education of the farmer to a knowledge of his require- 

 ments, have in themselves more than justified the expenses incurred through 

 the expansion of the veterinary staff. 



In his last report to the Secretary for Agriculture, Mr. J. A. Gilruth, 

 ^[.R.C.V.S., Chief Veterinarian, states that the total expenditure for the 

 }ear 1905-06 was ^16,400, and of this sum nearly ^^8,200 was recovered 

 in the form of meat-inspection fees. It seems, then, that the total cost to 

 the country of this division of the Department of Agriculure is just about 

 ;,^8,ooo per annum. Wihen consideration is given to the cliagnostic and 

 investigational work carried out at the Wallaceville Laboratory, the pro- 

 tection afforded the public bv inspection of abattoirs, dairies, and milch 

 cattle, the educational work conducted bv the staff from Auckland to the 

 Bluff, and, finally, the enoTmous benefits conferred on the dairy farmer 

 and cattle grazier by the preparation, distribution, and application of Black- 

 leg vaccine, it is clear that this amount is in no sense proportionate to the 

 advantages derived from its expenditure. 



