SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
To the Director of Agriculture, Dr. S. S. Cameron, must be attributed 
an important part in the suecess won by his Department. It was he 
who, upon his appointment in 1911, completely re-organized the 
administration, involving important changes in the personnel of the 
scientific staff, and who secured, and has maintained, harmonious rela- 
tions between the officers of the Department and the farmers. Before 
accepting the position, Dr. Cameron had won a wide reputation in the 
field of veterinary science, particularly in regard to investigational 
work on the inter-communicability of human and animal tuberculosis. 
It was in view of his success as a specialist that the wisdom of appoint- 
ing him as Director of Agriculture was, in some quarters, questioned. 
But the new Director soon displayed what was of greater value than a 
broad, general training in scientific agriculture, viz., marked adminis- 
trative ability. It was his business to see that the work of the Depart- 
ment was done efficiently, and that responsibility was delegated to 
responsible officers. Under his administration, the value of science has 
been demonstrated, and the gap between the farmer and the scientist 
has been reduced. He selected the right men for the right places. Mr. 
W. A. N. Robertson, B.V.Se., for instance, was appointed Chief of the 
Stock Division; Mr. A. E. V. Richardson, M.A., B.Sc., was brought 
from South Australia and made Agricultural Superintendent; Mr. Cole- 
batch, B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., now Principal of Roseworthy Agricultural 
College, was another of his early appointments; and so was Mr. Temple 
Smith. Others who have since joined the Department have won the 
confidence and esteem of the farmer, which is the first step before much 
useful work can be performed. 
Dr. Cameron is a native of Cumberland, England, his ancestors 
having been engaged in farming for many generations. Upon leaving 
school, he was articled to a solicitor, but the law failed to attract him, 
and after two years as a student he entered the then newly-established 
Veterinary College at Edinburgh. He proved himself a_ brilliant 
scholar, and was medallist in theoretical chemistry, practical chemistry, 
materia medica, botany, and physiology, and won a bursary for the 
highest aggregate marks during the first two years of the course. Upon 
graduating as M.R.C.V.S., he was selected by his college to compete 
for the Fitzwygram prize, and gained fourth place in competition with 
twelve graduates of other colleges. Largely as a result of observations 
made during his early experiences amongst farm liye stock, Dr. Cameron’s 
thoughts were turned in the direction of the State control of animal 
diseases communicable to man, and he devoted himself to the study of 
tuberculosis and such like diseases. Since then, both in New Zealand 
and in Victoria, Dr. Cameron has played an important part in the 
moulding and administration of legislation for the safeguarding of 
public health. ; 
Dr. Cameron’s first position in Australia was as Lecturer and 
Hospital Surgeon in the Melbourne Veterinary College. He acted in 
that capacity from 1889 to 1894, when he accepted an appointment in 
New Zealand. His name is associated with the establishment at Dunedin 
of the first public abattoirs in New Zealand. He returned to Melbourne 
in 1896 as Principal Veterinary Officer of the Board of Health, and 
collaborated wth the late Dr. Gresswell in the preparation of the Meat 
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