258 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[July 
Mr. Laing said, were dicotyledonous plants with a tendency to the xerophytic form. 
The beeches, which were found on the hills behind Akaroa, perhaps represented an 
older forest now disappearing in the struggle for existence with the Melanesian forest 
that had swept in from the noith. 
The chief previous investigators in the area were * Raoul, the two Armstrongs, 
and Dr. Cockayne. Professor Wall had published a list of the ferns of the Port 
Hills, and the late T. Kirk collected near Little River. Assistance had also been 
derived from Messrs. Cheeseman and Petrie, and to all of those the author’s thanks 
were due. 
Control of Animal-disease in New Zealand, by C. J. Reakes. 
Press Notice ( Lyttelton Times). 
Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director-General of the Agricultural Department, gave an 
address on the control of transmissible animal-diseases in New Zealand. He said that 
the unusual freedom from serious animal-disease enjoyed by New Zealand was doubt¬ 
less the result primarily of its isolation and late period of settlement, and was owing 
to the fact that prior to colonization there were no land mammals larger than the 
native rat, with the exception of the progeny of pigs liberated by Captain Cook in 1773. 
A further very important factor in this connection was in the precautionary measures 
adopted to prevent the entrance of diseases, and the enforcement of systematized internal 
control of existent disease. That control was carried out under the stringent provisions 
of the Stock Act. 
Among those diseases which did not exist in the Dominion and had never gained 
entrance in it were—Pleuro-pneumonia contagiosa of bovines, foot-and-mouth disease, 
piroplasmosis (so-called “tick fever'’), glanders, rabies, surra, rinderpest, and epizootic 
lymphangitis. The existent transmissible diseases of note present were—Bovine and 
porcine tuberculosis, symptomatic anthrax (blackleg), actinomycosis, contagious abor¬ 
tion of cattle, contagious mastitis, and variola. Sheep-scabies gave much trouble in 
earlier years, but was finally stamped out in 1893. Anthrax and swine-fever (hog- 
cholera) had been present, but as a result of repressive rheasures no anthrax had been 
reported since 1909, and no swine-fever since 1902. In regard to parasitic diseases, 
pthriasis (lousiness) and infestation by the sheep-tick ( Melophagus ovinus) were not 
uncommon, but the dipping operations compulsory under the Stock Act kept those 
parasites well in check. Onchoceriasis, causing so-called “ worm-nests ” in cattle, had 
never appeared, while “ waroles ” were non-existent. Tick infestation of cattle, horses, 
and dogs in the far North was noticeable of late, the parasites responsible being 
Haemaphysalis punctata and occasionally Ixodes ricinus. The position regarding these 
parasites was receiving serious consideration, bearing in mind the depreciation which 
would ensue in the value of stock in the event of their harbouring them in large numbers. 
The following internal parasites were present : Strongylus filaria, Strongylus contortus, 
Strongylus convolutus, Gastrophalus ovis, and Distomum hepaticum (fluke), affecting 
sheep ; Strongylus cervicornis, affecting young cattle ; and Strongylus armatus, Strongylus 
tetracanthus, and Gastrophulus equi, affecting horses. 
Disease-control was carried out on preventive, repressive, and educational lines. 
The preventive measures might be summarized as follows :— 
Live-stock of certain classes was only allowed entrance from certain countries 
after the requirements of the regulations made under the Stock Act had been complied 
with. These regulations required—- 
(a.) A certificate of health from an approved qualified veterinary surgeon in the 
country of origin. In the case of cattle, that must include certification of 
having passed the tuberculin test, and in that of horses of having passed 
the mallein test. 
(b.) Examination by a Government veterinary surgeon on arrival in New Zealand. 
(c.) Detention in cpxarantine for a stated period. 
(d.) Examination by a Government veterinary surgeon before liberation from 
quarantine. That included the further application of the tuberculin or 
mallein tests. 
Repressive measures for the internal control of disease were carried out by the 
Agricultural Department’s Veterinarians and Inspectors of Stock, the Dominion being 
divided into thirty-seven districts, each in charge of an Inspector. A Government 
Veterinarian was stationed at a suitable centre in a group of districts, from where he 
dealt with any outbreaks or cases of disease requiring special knowledge. The Inspectors 
