Hongkong, 29th May, 1886
My Dear Lockhart,
I would ask you, in the interests of the Dairy Farm, to bring the present systems of cattle inspection under the notice of the Government.
One of the objects of the system is, I presume, the exclusion of epizootic disease from the Colony; and in the event of its introduction, its limitation.
As regards the first, the stable to stable inspection which obtains at present, can have little influence; and, as regards the second, such a system is sure to defeat its object, for the suspected or diseased would certainly convey disease from the affected to the healthy stables.
It is in the interest of the cattle owners to preserve the health of their herds, and while objecting to the introduction of disease by a Government inspector, they would be the first to get rid of disease.