33

1.—5.

Hon. Mr. Bobinson: There were several reserves. We are talking about the Greenhills Reserve. 836. Hon. Captain Fraser.) Do you mean south of the Kaikouras; that has always been called the Clarence, but there is another reserve at the mouth of the Clarence ?—Yes, so there is; but that was originally for driving purposes :it was an official reserve. 837. Hon. the Chairman.) Are there any other runs now that have a right to shear there ?— I am not sure that any runholder has not a right, if he would insist. I think, if Sir Norman Campbell were to insist on-shearing the Cloudy Range there, he could do it. 838. There are conditions in the lease, are there not, that certain runholders can shear there provided they pay £5 a thousand; the terms to be arranged?—l remember that was done at a time when it was thought the Jam Run would have to shear there. 839. Was it that the Jam and Tytler being in one person's hands, the right to shear at this reserve was given to all ?—I think there would be only one person at all likely —Sir Norman Campbell, perhaps. 840. Hon. Mr. Campbell.) Has he the right to shear ?—I think so, but am not quite sure. 841. Without charges?—He would have to pay his proportion. 842. But the reserves belong you? —It was leased to us. 843. Then, you handed it over to Mr. Gibson?—He rents it. I have let the run to him. He pays me so much a year for it. 844. Hon. Captain Fraser.) You say that some of your neighbours were pressing hard upon you with an ulterior object ?—I think so. 845. Are you aware that these neighbours have gone to great expense in reducing their flocks, in fencing, and that they are afraid that all that expense will be thrown away and their flocks will become scabby again?— But I have done the same. I have also taken the medicine. lam trying to do my best, and to fence my proportion; but they have a better country. I wish to state what took place at a meeting respecting the Cloudy Bange. It has been stated that it was not stocked through fear of being scabbed from Gibson's run. I know that that is not quite correct. It was not entirely from fear of Gibson that it was not stocked, but to make sure it was clear of their own scabby sheep, as it was stocked some years ago, and also to fence. The fence between Gibson's and Cloudy Bange cost us £68 a mile for the mere erection, independent of cost of material and carriage. We have also kept a man to look after the fence since. It was not stocked with a view of having it thoroughly clean before putting sheep on it. I think, about two years ago, when some sheep strayed, over twenty-three were found there. They were scabby. Among the lot were three of mine, but they were clean. 846. Hon. Mr. Bobinson.] Who was in occupation?— Sir Norman Campbell, I think. 847. Hon. the Chairman.] You were speaking of nSt stocking the Cloudy Bange through fear of the Cloudy Range sheep mixing with yours? —It had not been stocked for years. It was not stocked with the view of getting it thoroughly clean. It was kept clear from their own sheep. It had been stocked years ago by Mr. Caverhill, before he sold Highfield Run to present owners. 848. Hon. Mr. Bobinson.] The Highfield Run is clean now ? —I believe so. 849. They have been clean for several years ? —About two years, I think. 850. Mr. Lance.) How could your sheep mixing with scabby sheep be found clean?— They might go there clean and not catch scab. 851. Mr. Buchanan.] Do you know the country occupied by Mr. McArthur ?—I never was on it, but I know it is very high country. 852. Do you know the Tarndale country? —I know that it is in a very high position. 853. Do you know the country occupied by Mr. Mcßae ? —Yes, I know it. 854. Do I understand you to assert that your country is more difficult to clean than those ?— Yes. 855. Does that account for your taking the medicine, and your country not being clean ?—Not entirely. Mcßae has some country quite as difficult as mine, perhaps, but he has not the extent of difficult country as I have. 856. Are you in a position to state to the Committee that your country is more difficult to clean than Tarndale and those other two properties ? —Their country may be higher from the sea, but it is nothing like the Kaikoura Ranges. 857. Do you feel justified in contradicting the assertion of a gentleman well qualified to judge, who has been over those properties, and who says that they are more difficult to clean than even yours ? —I would like to see what his evidence is worth :it could not contradict mine. Sir Norman Campbell, re-examined. 858. Hon. Mr. Bobinson.) There appears to be some wrong impression ; that is, some difference of opinion exists as to the evidence you .gave when last before the Committee. I should like to know what is your opinion as to the administration of this Scab Act altogether; whether you think it is efficiently carried out ? —lt is not being administered at all, it has been suspended. 859. How often has Mr. Bayly been to that district ?—Do you mean since he took charge of the district —I really cannot say. 800. Have there been any Inspectors there?— Yes. 861. Perhaps you can tell me if this is true : that a certificate was granted for thirty thousand sheep as being clean, and that immediately afterwards they were discovered to be scabby ?—There was not a certificate granted, but Mr. Passau wrote to Mr. Bayly, telling him he had carefully inspected those sheep and there was not the slightest sign of scab in them. 862. Where was that ? —ln Kaikoura. 863. Hon. Mr. Robinson.) You do not mention the run? —Mr. Passau said that he had carefully inspected them, and that they were clean. When they came in he said they were scabbier than he had known them to be for some years.