SOUTH AUSTRALIA.--REPORT OP SHEEP INSPECTOR. 677 
the new Diseases in Animals Act, which deal stringently with 
the movement and destruction of animals, the quarantine of 
places, and the disinfecting of both animals and places ; also 
transit orders for infected areas, which deal also with the 
movement of anitnals, and with the cleansing and disinfecting 
of trucks, vans, sheds, vessels, &c. 
The whole of these orders are most elaborate, and if they 
can be carried out would no doubt be effectual in clearing the 
country of disease. Unfortunately I am afraid that the exact 
particularity and the number of the orders will affect their 
value. To deal with all matters connected with animals it is 
a necessity that the law should be as plain and simple as 
possible, otherwise the large body of men connected with the 
working of stock will fail to understand them ; some through 
inability, many from the want of time to wade through so 
many orders, which must be confusing to persons who are 
chiefly engaged in out-door pursuits, and others through 
carelessness. 
I would take advantage of this report to direct attention 
to the Brands Act, as the inspectors of sheep are inspectors 
of brands under the Act which will come into force on the 
1st of May next. The value of this Act, judging from the 
reports of a similar measure in Queensland, will be very 
great. The adoption of a uniform system of brands, namely, 
—one letter and two figures, the letter placed either before, 
after, or in the centre of the two figures, will make a mark 
on stock which will at once show every person that such 
animals are South Australian, or came from that province. 
Queensland having adopted two letters and one figure, and 
in New South Wales every imaginable figure or sign has been 
adopted, causing irremediable confusion. The South Aus¬ 
tralian brand will be distinct. 
So far, in making preparations for the initiating of the 
Brands Act, I have only met with one or two persons who 
have not cheerfully given up their old brands and intend 
adopting the system as mentioned. 
As many persons are anxious to register their brands at 
once, I would call attention to the fact that no brands can be 
registered or fees received by me until the Act comes into 
force, viz. on and after 1st May next. 
As there are between 7000 and 8000 different brands 
formed by the combination of two figures and one letter, and 
six months is allowed to register a brand, I do not think that 
any one need be anxious or afraid he will not obtain a suitable 
brand. 
The particular attention to the drovers' clauses should be 
