440 
OBITUARY. 
less deadly than when it first broke out. If we may confess to ourselves 
now, that some months ago the meat of diseased cows and bullocks was 
much too frequently exposed for sale in Melbourne, we have equally 
good authority for the statement that at present the disease is either less 
frequent or less fatal, and that infected animals seldom find their way 
now to the abattoirs. As matters stand, it is perhaps fortunate that the 
action of the pleuro-pneumonia inspectors was circumscribed by the 
votes of the Assembly. If the discovery made by Dr. Thomson is the 
true exposition of the nature of the disease, we must look for some more 
scientific treatment of infected herds than was originally contemplated. 
The quick destruction of the animals, and the burning of the carcass 
were the rude preventive measures originally contemplated, but these 
seem altogether barbarous and ineffectual in the light of the latest results 
of inquiry. It may be prudent, therefore, to wait further investigation 
before the Act now pronounced non-existent is revived by legislative 
action. Mr. Howard has a bill on the subject before Parliament, but it 
is far from being a comprehensive measure. Its scope scarcely goes 
beyond the protection of the public from unconscious use of the flesh of 
animals that were diseased. That object, no doubt, is highly laudable; 
but it is unnecessary to stir the legislature into action for a purpose 
which can be accomplished by ordinary police vigilance and care. We 
are still, too, without the report of the commissioners specially appointed 
to inquire into the nature and peculiarities of this disease in cattle. 
Until we have full evidence before us from this source, seeing that no 
legislative action can now stop the progress of the disease from district 
to district, it will be wise to rest content with the decision given by the 
Supreme Court yesterday, that no Pleuro-pneumonia Act now cumbers 
the statute-book in this colony. In the mean time, though the prospects 
as regards pleuro-pneumonia are thus reassuring, and the need for legis¬ 
lative protection is less urgent, we cannot dismiss the subject without 
animadverting most strongly on that crassa ignorantia or that crassa neg - 
ligentia on the part of the legislature, which has thus left the community 
absolutely defenceless. As it is, the consideration suggests itself, how 
far the public purse might have been rendered liable for damages 
inflicted on herds under the authority of an Act that is now pronounced 
not to have been in force. 
OBITUARY. 
We regret to have to record the death of Mr. Mavor, lately 
the head of the firm of Mavor and Sons, of Park Street. 
The impaired state of Mr. Mavor’s health induced him a few 
years since to retire from the active duties of his profession; 
and to recruit his strength, he sought recreation principally 
in his favorite pursuit of yachting. It was hoped that under 
such circumstances he would long be spared to his family 
and friends, but the summons had gone forth, and about 
three weeks since he was called from off this earthly scene to 
that “ bourn whence no traveller returns. 5 '’ Few men stood 
higher either among his professional brethren or the public 
than our departed friend, during the time he was pursuing 
the active duties of his profession. His diploma bears date 
July 28th, 1829. 
