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207. In your opinion knowledge acquired from practical experience is better than mere technical knowledge ? —I should think so. 208. Do you take it that, a man of your experience is sufficiently qualified to know, when he sees a carcase of meat, whether or not it is fit for human consumption?— Yes. 209. Generally speaking, you find the quality of meat very good quality ?—-I do. 210. Have you any experience of the Old Country ?—I have. 211. How does the quality of meat compare with that sold in the Old Country?—l am apt to think the meat is better in the Old Country—it is better fed. 212. I am speaking from a health point of view. Do you think the meat is less dangerous for health and for human consumption than in the Old Country ?—I think it is quite as good here. 213. Mr. Flatman.] How many sheep have you condemned during the last twelve months ? — Twenty-two. 214. Was that for tuberculosis?—No : hydatids, congestion of the lungs, and pleurisy. 215. They would be old sheep, I suppose?— Mostly old. 216. You do not find much disease with the young sheep ?—No. 217. Practically none ?—Yes. 218. Out of the eighty-eight cattle you condemned there were thirty-one of them that were beasts for butchers?— Yes. 218 a. And of the fifty others some of them were dairy cows?— Yes; and some of them were for potting. 219. Would you find the major portion in the dairy cows or in the potters ?—ln the potters. 220. Then you have not been able to inspect all the meat that is sold in Christchurch, either alive or dead ?—lt is an impossibility. 221. Mr. Massey.] You are not troubled much with tuberculosis in the country?—ln some cases. 222. What proportion did you condemn ? —They were two old ones. 223. About this clause 27 : Did I understand you to say that none other than duly qualified veterinary surgeons could be appointed as Inspectors ?—I read it as such—or to pass an examination. Of course, lam not aware what the examination would be. Mr. Massey: I think it is rather an important point that an Inspector should pass an examination to obtain a certificate to be duly qualified in connection with his office. 224. Mr. Symes.] I suppose you are appointed by the local body ?—I am. 225. Chiefly, I suppose, for collecting fees in the first instance, and to see that they keep their slaughterhouses in proper order? —No; the treasurer collects the fees. 226. Who pays your salary—the local body ? —Each pays its own. 227. You get a " screw" from each?— Unfortunately not from all, and a very small one from Woolston. 228. You say you have recommendations from these local bodies. Have they any one competent to give you a certificate?— Yes. 229. Would you consider any of these people were competent to judge ?—Yes. 230. There are none of them "vets.", I suppose ?—No, not "vets." 231. You say you have condemned certain live cattle: do you get authority from the local body or the Government for this ?— From the local body. 232. How many fat cattle have you condemned under the Selwyn County Council within the last twelve months ? —The greater quantity—l should say, thirty-one. 233. Mr. Massey.] Out of eighty-eight ?—Yes. 234. Mr. Symes.] How many old cows have you condemned within the last twelve months that have been bought by the freezing companies ? —I think it was forty. 235. That was at the freezing-works ?—Yes. 236. How many carcases have you condemned within the past twelve months at the various slaughterhouses ?—About three. 237. I think I understood you to say that your duties, of course, could not be very strictly carried out, as any one must know, because it is impossible you should do all this work ? How many Inspectors, do you think, could thoroughly inspect the slaughterhouses in the district you now represent? —I should say four could do it thoroughly. Ido not think, myself, that the inspection can be carried out properly unless it is centralised—say, in one abattoir. 238. Why? —The Inspector could be on the spot, whereas otherwise he would have to drive from one slaughterhouse to another, and it would be very inconvenient to wait in other places until the Inspector comes. 239. You say there are something like forty slaughterhouses ?—Yes. 240. I suppose they generally kill in the morning or in the evening; they do not kill in the middle of the day ? —Not in the summer; but in winter, at all times. 241. The meat is hung up after being killed until it is branded ?—Not until you see the internal organs. I may say the greater number of my butchers hang up the internal organs for my inspection. The largest quantity of meat is killed on Thursday. 242. Is there any great difficulty for the thorough inspection of meat at abattoirs ? —No. 243. Do you consider that inspection should be paid for by the butchers?— Yes, as it is already. lam paid from the fees. 244. Would you consider that there should be a fee charged—a slaughter fee, or something of that sort ? lam speaking of the case of thoroughly appointed Inspectors for the payment of their salaries, and for the payment of the losses of those who have condemned slaughterhouses and condemned cattle. Would you suggest that a fee should be charged for the abattoir ?—I would