3

H.—33

A sample field-can, similar to those now used by this department, will be forwarded by first steamer to Mr. Dick, at Wellington, New Zealand. The small balls for saturating with bisulphide of carbon are made of cotton-waste, the coloured variety being the cheapest, and answering well. Up to the end of June last about £24,600 was expended on the destruction of rabbits in this colony, £4,420 of which is represented by stock and equipage, and, a large proportion of the balance having been expended on Crown lands, only about £3,000 are recoverable from private persons, who, as a rule, prefer to clear their own lands. All expenses incurred in the recovering of amounts due for the destruction of rabbits on private lands are chargeable to the owners or occupiers of such land. G. W GOYDEB, Survey or-General.

No. 5. The Hon. the Pbemieb, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Chief Secbetaey, South Australia. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 24th January, 1881. I have the honor to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter (No. 2,115) of the sth instant, enclosing copy of a report by the Surveyor-Q-eneral of your colony with regard to the manufacture of bisulphide of carbon, the cost of destroying rabbits, <&c, in South Australia. I have, &c, The Hon. the Chief Secretary, South Australia. John Hail.

Authority: G-eobgb Didsbubt, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBl