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one. He (Mr. Bruce) considered that was not satisfactory. They might just as well take the stockowner's declaration. When they looked at it in this light—that it cost comparatively little to have an efficient staff in every colony —the Conference ought to try and get those colonies which had not an efficient staff to put on more Inspectors. New South Wales had a fairly efficient staff, numbering forty-five Inspectors, and they found it cost one-fourth of a farthing per sheep per annum to sustain that staff. That should be regarded in the light of insurance against disease, and he thought that was a very low rate to pay for it. He considered it unfair to get such certificates as he had described when it would cost so little to maintain an efficient staff. It was well worth while to employ an adequate number of men, as would be seen from what they did in his colony. They dealt with diseases in stock; they protected the reserves from trespass, and also the property of the owners through which travelling stock was taken; they enforced the provisions of the Brands Act for tracing infected stock, for preventing stock-stealing, and assisting in the recovery of stray stock, and preventing confusion at musters; they acted as Inspectors of Commons, and supervised the pounds and poundkeepers; they enforced the provisions of the Pastures Act, which dealt with noxious animals; they were Inspectors under the Eabbit Act and under the Diseased Meat and Diseased Animals Act, and overseers under the Public Watering-places Act. There was no colony employing an efficient staff but would get an excellent return for the cost. He thought they might amend the clause under notice by providing that if a certificate did not state that the stock had been inspected the stock should be put under certain restrictions. If they did not commence federation with respect to diseases in stock their efforts for the prevention of disease would be very imperfect. With respect to Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia not exercising sufficient vigilance at their northern ports, he thought they were in considerable danger. Port Darwin had no Inspector of Stock, and there was great danger of disease being imported from Indian or Chinese ports. It was necessary to act in this matter as the whole of Australasia, and each colony should do its part in that direction fairly. He would suggest that the clause be postponed with a view to amending it. - Clause postponed (See p. 29.) Proposed: " 39. That regulations in regard to the travelling, movement, or conveyance of animals be left to be dealt with by each colony within its own boundaries."—Agreed to. Proposed : " 40. That all drafts of laws or regulations dealing with the diseases of animals be, as far as practicable, submitted by the Government framing them to the Governments of the other colonies for remark before they become law ; and that proofs of any papers or reports relating to pastoral matters which would be likely to be of benefit or interest to stockowners generally be also forwarded, in order that the other Governments may, should they see fit, order a supply of copies for distribution."—Agreed to. Proposed: "41. That this Conference affirms — (a.) The desirability of establishing a laboratory or institution for the purpose of investigating and experimenting upon any diseases to which stock are or may become liable, particularly, in the first instances, pleuro-pneumonia, anthrax, and tuberculosis, (b.) That the institution be a permanent one, and to be supported by the respective colonies becoming parties to the arrangement pro rata, according to the number of stock, sheep, cattle, and horses returned for the year preceding the assessment, (c.) That a permanent Board of Direction be formed, to be composed of members to be appointed by the Government of each contributing colony, (d.) That a competent European scientist be engaged as director, who shall deliver an annual course of lectures to students, and who shall be allowed to charge fees for so doing, (c.) That the laboratory or institution shall be called the Australasian Stock Institute, and that it be located in the Colony of New South Wales." Amendment proposed, "That all the words after the word ' tuberculosis ' in the fourth line be struck out." Mr. Beuce said this had been practically acted on in New South Wales. The stock of Victoria and South Australia was comparatively small in number, and for the sake of their contributions to this institute its establishment would not be stopped. They had Dr. Loir there, and had agreed to commence in a temporary way with him as the scientist. A resolution was passed by the chief Inspectors for New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, strongly recommending that they make a beginning. They had a laboratory and appliances at Eodd Island, and were desirous of knowing whether New Zealand would bear a proportion of the expense. The estimated annual cost to be contributed by the several colonies pro ratcl according to the number of stock had been shown in the report of the Conference of Chief Inspectors of Stock held in Sydney in 1891.. New South Wales would contribute £584 ; Victoria, £215 ; Queensland, £541; South Australia, £85 ; Tasmania, £26 ; Western Australia, £34; and New Zealand, £215. By-and-by, no doubt, they would have to employ two or three more scientists in different subjects ; and the idea was that at this institution students should be taken, that they might be initiated into the knowledge of bacteriology. In the meantime the institution would take up any work which might be required to be done. Dr. Loir was at present preparing the virus for anthrax; and he was also prepared to take up vaccine for blackleg, and a preparation for testing whether cattle were affected with tuberculosis or not. The Acting-Chaieman said he was quite in sympathy with the proposal, but failed to see that any practical effect could be given to it. He did not believe the Victorians would for a moment agree to the location of the institute as suggested. New South Wales was the mother-colony, and, no doubt, was entitled to the preference ; but, if they could not get unanimity among the various Governments in this matter, he thought it would fail. He did not speak in any spirit of antagonism, but simply thought the project was not practicable. Each colony wanted an institute of its own to be of much service. Mr. Bbuce said, what Mr. Eoberts proposed would not do all that was required. Unless there was an efficient staff the institute would be of comparatively little use ; and these men would have to be of good standing. Each colony would have its own subjects dealt with to a certain extent, and the several matters would be worked out thoroughly by a body of fully-qualified men. There