H.—230

1910. NEW ZEALAND.

EAR-MARKING OF SHEEP (REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF PASTORALISTS ON).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Bepoist of Committee of Pastoralists on the Schemes submitted to the Department of Ageicultukb, Oommbbcb, and Tourists for extinguishing between Live stock of Different Owners. Sm >— ' Wellington, 14th October, 1910. We have the honour to forward "you herewith our report on the ear-marking schemes submitted to the Department. We have, &c, D. D. Macfarlane, Chairman. Wμ. Hay ) Walter Macfarlane Members J. G. EUTHERFORD I n . James Wilson I Comm ittee. The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Wellington. The Committee are of opinion that there are several essentials tor a proper system of ear-marks suitable for New Zealand :— 1. That it must as little as possible interfere with the ear-marks at present in use. 2. That the registered mark should be on the near ear only, and any further marking on such ear should be prohibited, the off ear being available for the owner's age,'sex, or sale mark. 3. That simplicity is absolutely necessary; and the pliers used to make the registered ear-mark should not have more than two bits; and it is preferable that only one pair of pliers should be used. 4. That any ear-mark when registered and allotted to an applicant shall have its dimensions specified by the Eegistrar. 5. That the branding districts should for the purpose of registration be divided into subdistricts containing no greater number of owners than 750. 6. That to allow for increase of owners in any subdistricts any scheme should provide for at least 1,500 different ear-marks. 7. That in the caseof owners living near a district boundary, the necessary steps should be taken to insure that no other owners residing in an adjacent district near the same boundary shall be allotted a similar ear-mark. 8. That the use of the knife in ear-marking sheep should be prohibited. 9. That it should be compulsory that every owner shall register an ear-mark.