12

H.—2

Mr. McClean said New Zealand was importing trotting-stallions from America, and he did not think they should prohibit their introduction. Mr. Bbuce and Mr. Tababt would like to prohibit the importation of horses from America. Mr. Eitchie could not agree to this, as the same reasoning would apply to horses from England. He thought the period of quarantine might be increased, say, to twenty-eight days. That might get over the difficulty. He would not like to stop the trade with America in trotting-horses, as there was great need for them in New Zealand, and no doubt in the other colonies also. Clause agreed to. " (2.) Camels from any colony or country."—Agreed to. " (3.) Cattle and sheep from Great Britain and Ireland." Mr. Eitchie would like some discussion on the question of allowing sheep to come direct by the San Francisco boats. As Mr. Tabart had said, the only disease likely to be introduced from America was scab; and he (Mr. Eitchie) thought that dipping might get over that difficulty. Mr. Beuce said his reason for favouring the present system was, that scabby sheep had been introduced, and the scab had been traced to California. There was no scab in Vermont or in any of the Eastern States; but Californian sheep were notoriously scabby. Australia had what they might call a double inspection of sheep coming from London. Sheep would not be sent unless previously examined by the Imperial staff, and then the colonies had their own Inspectors. Although it increased the expense to the importer, he was inclined to adhere to the present system. The Chaieman asked if an additional thirty days' quarantine would not meet the difficulty. Mr. Goedon thought they would be perfectly safe in adopting the suggestion. Australia had a double security; New Zealand was isolated. Mr. Beuce said they might reduce the period of quarantine from ninety days to sixty days in the case of Great Britain. The clause was amended to include pigs, and agreed to. " (4.) Goats, deer, llamas, antelopes, buffalo, and any other ruminants from any colony or country, if intended for a zoological society." —Agreed to. " (5.) Dogs from any colony or country."—Agreed to. " Proposed : 11. That the following be included among the regulations under which foreign animals and things not prohibited may be admitted into any Australasian Colony :— " (1.) That twenty-four hours' notice be given by the owner of the animals of his intention to land them." —Agreed to. " (2.) That the animals be accompanied by a declaration by the owner and certificate by the Inspector or by a qualified veterinary surgeon in the district from which they start."—Agreed to. " (3.) That no animals, nor any fodder, fittings, or effects with which foreign stock have been in contact, be landed without the written permission of the Inspector."—Agreed to. " (4.) That notice be given to the owner when any stock are ailing or are about to be destroyed." —Agreed to. " (5.) That notices be given personally, or left at the person's residence or place of business, or sent by registered letter." Amendment proposed : " That notices be given personally, or left at the residence or place of business of the person for whom the notice is intended, or sent by registered letter to the address of such person."—Agreed to. " (6.) That four weeks' notice be given to the Chief Inspector of Stock of an owner's intention to introduce foreign stock." Amendment proposed: "That the words 'four weeks' be omitted, and the words 'at least fourteen days' be inserted in lieu thereof."—Agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. " (7.) That all cattle and sheep exported to Australasia be shipped from the ports of London or Glasgow." The clause was amended to include pigs, and agreed to. " (8.) That the Agents-General for the several colonies be asked to appoint one (i.e., the same) registered veterinary surgeon at each port of shipment, to examine all stock intended to be exported to any of the colonies; such veterinary surgeon to give a certificate of health to accompany the animals." Amendment proposed : " That the word ' registered ' be omitted, and the word ' qualified 'be inserted in lieu thereof."—Agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. - " (9.) That animals intended to be introduced into any of the colonies and all other animals on board the same vessel be examined by the veterinary surgeon appointed by the colonies, and with respect to which he shall certify that they are all free from infection, and that in their case these regulations have been complied with."—Agreed to. " (10.) That the skins of all animals which may have died or been slaughtered on board any foreign vessel during the voyage, and not destroyed or thrown overboard, be salted and securely packed in cases or casks, and. not landed." Amendment proposed : " That, after the word ' landed,' the words ' except for transhipment under the supervision of an Inspector' be added."—Agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. " (11.) That a declaration be obtained from the captain of the vessel as to the health of foreign stock on board, on arrival in port." Amendment proposed ; " That the word ' joint' be inserted before ' declaration,' and the words ' and attendant of the stock ' after the word ' vessel.' "—Agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. " (12.) That all foreign animals, while in any port in the colonies, be securely confined and