8 May, 1907.] Stock Inspection Methods in A'ew Zealand. 275 



2. The investigation and diagnosis of outbreaks of disease, as well 

 as the instituting of preventive and suppressive measures in the case of 

 epi- and enzootics. 



3. Experimental research is also conducted as opportunity offers. 



4. Field-work. — A proportion of the staff is distributed throughout 

 the chief agricultural districts in order to carry out prophylactic measures 

 in regard to black-leg, tuberculin inoculations, to demonstrate the Depart- 

 mental methods of dealing with contagious abortion, milk fever, and con- 

 tagious mammitis, and to keep a sharp look out for any disease — sporadic 

 or infective — which is likely to require consideration at head-quarters. 

 These are fche officers that, by skilful and scientific methods at the steading 

 or in the paddock, have brought home to the farmers the value of rational 

 remedies. 



5. Lecturing. — This branch of the woa-k has been given a prominent 

 position in the official programme, but though prosecuted with unwearying 

 diligence, the results have not been wholly satisfactory. The opinion of 

 Mr. Gilruth is not in favour of free lectures ; he finds from experience that 

 better attendances are insured if a small fee — say, 5s. for the course— be 

 levied. However, it should be noted that no examinations were held in 

 connexion with the New Zealand classes, nor were any certificates or other 

 form of inducem.ent offered, as is the case in Victoria. Probably, also, the 

 extraordinarv prosperity of the country has, to a certain extent, diverted 

 the attention of the farming community from the manifold advantages to 

 be gained from veterinary instruction. It is only fair to add that some 

 excellent veterinarians are naturally unfitted for this particular class of 

 work. Personally speaking, I am strongly of opinion that no great good 

 can be accomplished l3y any lecturer who does not take occasion to demon- 

 strate clearly and forcibly in the field that his scientific utterances are 

 worthv of every attention from the practical farmer. He must come out 

 from behind the lecturing desk, and actually perform the work which he 

 hag prescribed and explained. Having gained the respect and confidence 

 of his audience in this way — and he can do so by no other means — his 

 explanations and words of advice will be received with gratitude and cre- 

 dence. Where this idea can be adopted I am convinced that neither class 

 fees nor examinations are essentia] to success. 



6. Inspection of Dairies. — This has only been spasmodically per- 

 formed, owing fo the lack of available officers. On several occasions 

 efforts have been exerted to place this important work on a satisfactor\ 

 basis, but so far without avail. Compulsory registration and routine in- 

 spection are still amongst the ambitions of the Department, so that Victoria 

 has nothing to learn, at present, from New Zealand as far as veterinar\ in- 

 spection of dairies and dairy farms is concerned. In a few instances, the 

 inspectors at abattoirs act as local dairy inspectors, but there is no general 

 scheme vet in ^■ogue for the whole Colony. 



A consideration of the system of dairy super\'ision that obtains in 

 Victoria brings up the question of the relative advantages and disadvan- 

 tages of establishing a numerically strong qualified staff of veterinarians by 

 Colonial Governments. Under some conditions, this has proved a most 

 unwise procedure; but in New Zealand, thanks to the enormous develop- 

 ment of the frozen meat trade, the circumstances are exceptionally favour- 

 able. With an industry of this nature, careful inspection by trained men 

 was an absolute sine qua non — in fact, the companies would in any case 

 have imported their own inspectors to secure the confidence of the public. 

 The opportunity, therefore, of establishing and maintaining a powerful 



