Tae importance of the points involved must be our apology for recurring to the subject of cattle disease. We do not refer so much to the consequences of recent outbreak, though we imagine if the matter were carefully investigated it would be found much mischief has been done which might have been prevented had timely notice been given to the public when it first appeared; bat as we pointed out in a previous article, Shanghai seems subject to such attacks, and it is important to consider whether some effective means cannot be devised for preventing outbreaks in the future, or at least confining them within narrower limits.
Our investigations thus far appear to reveal a system in the Manicipal arrangements in this direction so de-that, in our opinion, it amounts stem at all; and suggests the suspicion that on a close examination other branches of the service might be found equally open to criticism, The chief defect of s government constituted like that of this municipality is that the details of management have to be left so much in the hands of the staff that the latter become virtually the valera of the place, and the Councillors them. selves can generally do little more than give their formal sanction or the reverso to the acts and suggestions of their employes, Whenever this is done without due consideration, and it is found 'a mistake has been committed, there is naturally a disposition on the part of the Councillors to shield their subordinates and thereby excuse them. selves. Such a state of things begets a spirit of independence on the part of the employes, who' are led to ex-excise their own discretion as what they shall communicate to their superiers; and the system thereby becomes one of mere routine—well enough adapted to ordinary requirements, but found sadly wanting when perhaps the very emergency arises which it was particularly intended to provide for. Take for instance the Sanitary Department in connection with this outbreak of cattle disease. It has been publicly hinted that reports have been made from time to time which have not been published, and which in justice to those concerned should have been published. Ifs0, when and to whom were such reports made, and where are they now We can well understand that when supreme indifference in regard to the subjects of the routine work daily passing through their hands characterises, as is often the case, the members of an office-staff, such ro-ports would be received merely matter of form, of no interest to any one in particular, and neatly folded, endorsed and pigeon-holed. Such may have been the fate of the reports referred to, and if so they should be brought out and made publican justi to those who made them. Far-rtho more it has been asserted as one excuse for the Inspector's apparent dereliction of duty that the dairies outside the settlement are not under Municipal control. We have heard the same thing hinted at, but cannot believe that any member of the Council or Council's stof would endeavour to shield himself from blame by resorting to such a wretched subterfuge in view of the apparent facts of the case. The reports from the Inspector published by the Council, refer to " Cattle in the Native Dairies." What native dairies, we would ask? The few and unimportant ones within the limits of the settlement alone? No! They profess to embrace all the native dairies in the vicinity, and so it will be teand on reference to the Inspector's detailed reports. As far us the Farm is concerned, the manager in @ letter published on the 4th instant says "I invariably consult the Health Officer, under whose direc. tion I have acted throughout." While thus actually taking cognizance of all the dairies, should the Council or any member of the staff endeavour to avoid the responsibility for short-com.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.