The North Taranaki Office Of The Stock Branch Of The Agricultural Department is situated in the Union Company's buildings, St. Aubyn Street, New Plymouth. The local Inspector of Stock reports to the principal office of the district, which is at Wanganui.

Mr. Robert Rowan has been Stock Inspector for North Taranaki since 1899. He was born in County Westmeath, Ireland, in 1857. In 1876 he arrived in Lyttelton by the ship “Norfolk,” and had experience of station life in various positions before he joined the Stock Department as agent, at Gore, in 1897. A year later, he was transferred to Kurow, and thence, at the end of another year, to New Plymouth.

The Veterinary Division Of The Agricultural Department for Taranaki has its office in the Union Steam Ship Company's building, St. Aubyn Street, New Plymouth. The branch was established in the year 1903.

Captain Alexander Reid Young, M.R.C.V.S. (London), Veterinarian for Taranaki district, was born at Perth, Scotland, where he was educated, and studied at the Royal Veterinary College of Edinburgh. He afterwards became inspector for the Kincardinshire County Council, and local inspector for the Imperial Government, and was for over five years veterinary surgeon to the Public Health Department of Edinburgh. Captain Young came to New Zealand in 1900, and went to South Africa as veterinary lieutenant of the 4th New Zealand Contingent and veterinary captain of the 8th Contingent, and served with flying columns in active service. He returned to New Zealand, but retained his rank as captain, and entered the Agricultural Department in Wellington. He left the service, but subsequently rejoined and was appointed to his present position in New Plymouth.

The Dairy Division Of The Agricultural Department for North Taranaki dates from the year 1898, and has its offices in the Union Company's building in St. Aubyn Street, New Plymouth. The staff consists of the grader-in-charge and his assistant, a clerk, and a lady instructress. The district under control extends from Hawera, northwards through Taranaki.

Mr. John Johnston, Grader-in-charge of the Dairy Division in New Plymouth, was appointed in 1901. He was born in Taieri, Otago, in 1877, and had considerable experience in the management of dairy factories in the south, before joining the department.