PLEURO-PNEUMONIA IN AUSTRALIA. 
359 
the 28th December, on the subject of compensation, we were 
under the impression that the proclamation would be similar 
to the propositions indicated in your telegram of the 20th. 
But, instead of a limited number, as we supposed, of cattle 
being destroyed for the purpose of examination, and these 
only, we find by the proclamation of the 24th, since received, 
that power is given to destroy any indefinite number. Con¬ 
sistently with the opinions which the majority of the com¬ 
missioners have entertained on the subject, under similar cir¬ 
cumstances, we beg now to suggest that a valuation by arbi¬ 
tration will be the fairest mode of dealing with the subject for 
the future. As, however, the Messrs. M f Laurin and Mr. 
Bowler were led to expect a certain fixed rate at the time 
when their cattle were ordered for destruction, we think it 
would be unjust to those gentlemen to alter the rates as far 
as they are concerned. Nor do we think it advisable that the 
few cattle already slaughtered for the purpose of examination 
should be paid for in any other wav. But for all cattle 
slaughtered subsequent to the date of the proclamation of the 
24th of December, 1861, subject to the instruction of the 
Minister for Lands, we would recommend that compensation 
be given according to the amount fixed by an arbitrated value, 
arrived at in the usual way, but with a deduction of 25 per 
cent, on account of their being diseased. We believe that 
such a rate will neither tend to the concealment of the disease 
nor induce an indifference to its introduction. 
The Commissioners have now to express their regret that, 
owing to the unexpected wide-spread of the disease, we have 
neither been able to ascertain its precise limits, nor to suggest 
the means of effectually arresting its progress, much less of 
thoroughly eradicating it. And in conclusion, we beg to offer 
the following remarks and suggestions, with a view to its 
restraint and general treatment. 
We find— 
1. That pleuro-pueuraonia is a disease of a very highly infectious and 
contagious character, and cannot be detected with certainty in 
its early stages. 
2. That from our experience it is infectious or contagious at an early 
stage. 
3. That it was introduced into Victoria through a cow imported for 
Mr. Boadle, from which the infection was carried into various 
parts of that colony by M‘Kinnon’s working bullocks and other 
diseased beasts, until it reached the Murray border of New South 
Wales. 
4. That, although the inode in which it has been introduced into this 
colony may not he definitely and indisputably ascertained, the 
extensive intercourse with the south side of the M array, by herds 
