CATTLE TICK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10301, 10 January 1927, Page 5

CATTLE TICK

.JK FOUND AT TOLAGA BAY

OFFICIALS HAVE POSITION WELL IN HAND STOCK OWNERS ASKED TO INVESTIGATE The dreaded cattle tick has once snore made liY appearance on the East Coast. Last year the first one to !.e found in the district was destroyed at Arero near Tokomaru Bay. About ten days ago the local office of the Department of Agriculture was advised that a dairyman’s herd in the Tolaga Bay district was suspected to be infected and immediately Mr Farraday from the local office of the Department of Agriculture proceeded to the spot. The head office of the Department was advised and Air W. S. Barry, district superintendent, and Mr It. Wright, principal inspector, both of Wellington, left for Tolaga Bay. Several ticks were found on cattle in the area from which the report originated and one tick was found on a dealer’s horse. Apart from one on the horse, however, the ticks were all located in a restricted area.

A rigid inspection of infected herds lias been carried out and the beasts sprayed. Every possible measure for 'tick eradication is being .taken and rthe Department has the position well \ in hand. \ All herds in the locality are being -subjected to a thorough inspection and the local staff of the Department is being augmented. Speaking to a Times reporter yesterday the Departmental officers were emphatic in their opinion that there was no need for alarm among cattle owners for everything possible was being done to stamp out the pest. Stockmen seeing symptoms of the pest or, in fact, anything suspicious for which they cannot account are requested to notify the local office of the Department of Agriculture immediately. Stock owners should have no difficulty in locating the pest on affected leasts as it attaches itself to the hairless portions of the body and, when full grown and distended with blood, is bigger than a large-sized pea.