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Without having the master's papers for reference, it is impossible to state why the reward was allowed in the case of the man Clark. lam inclined to believe that there must have been sufficient reason for sanctioning so unusual a charge. I have, &c, Walter R. Hearn. The Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, Tower Hill, London.

No. 32. New Zealand, No. 114. My Lord,— Downing Street, 18th April, 1912. With reference to my despatch, No. 101, of the 30th March, I have the honour to transmit to you, for the information of your Ministers, the accompanying copies of an order made by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland under the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894-1911, prohibiting the landing in Ireland of hay and straw from certain countries. I have, &c, L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right Hon. Lord Islington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., &c.

A.—2, 191 No. 23.

Enclosure. Order op the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, dated 29th March, 1912.—Foreign Hay and Straw (Ireland) Order op 1912. The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, by virtue and in exercise of the powers vested in them under the Agricultural and Technical Instruction (Ireland) Act, 1899, the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 to 1911, and of every other power enabling them in this behalf, do order, and it is hereby ordered, as follows :— Prohibition of Landing of Hay and Straw. 1. The landing in Ireland of hay or straw brought from any country out of the United Kingdom which is not mentioned in the schedule to this order is hereby prohibited, except as hereinafter expressly provided. Exceptions. 2. (1.) This order shall not apply to — (a.) Hay or straw which at the time of importation is being used for packing merchandise ; or (6.) Manufactured straw not intended for use as fodder or litter for animals ; or (c.) Hay or straw which is authorized to be landed for use otherwise than as fodder or litter for animals by a license granted by an Inspector or other officer of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, which license i,hall contain such conditions as in the opinion of the Department are necessary to prevent the introduction of disease by the hay or straw. (2.) The expression " animals " means horses, asses, and mules ; cattle, sheep, goats, and all other ruminating animals ; and swine. Offences. 3. (1.) If any hay or straw shall be landed in contravention of this order, the owner thereof, and the owner and the lessee and the occupier of the place of landing, and the person causing, directing, or permitting the landing, and the owner and the charterer and the master of the vessel from which the same is landed, shall, each according to and in respect of his own acts or defaults, be deemed guilty of an offence against the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894. (2.) If any person does any act in contravention of a condition imposed by a license under this order he shall be deemed guilty of an offence under the said Act. Revocation of Orders. 4. The Foreign Hay and Straw (Ireland) Order of 1908, and any order amending that order, are hereby revoked, and any license under any order hereby revoked shall have effect as a license under this order. Commencement. 5. This order shall come into operation on the Ist day of April, 1912. Short Title. 6. This order may be cited as the " Foreign Hay and Straw (Ireland) Order of 1912." In witness whereof the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland have hereunto set their official seal this 29th day of March, 1912. T. P. Gill, Secretary.