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suggested in our " Miscellaneous Recommendations," but in Canterbury and M.arlborough, in order to demonstrate the economic value of water when applied to the soil in all districts where sufficient rain cannot always be relied upon. Besides gravitation schemes from conservation dams, there is ample scope for the establishment of pumping plants along the banks of the Kawarau and Clutha Rivers. Although the foregoing method is more expensive than procuring a water-supply by gravitation, it will no doubt be necessary in the future to augment the gravitation supplies. Although the irrigation scheme in Poolburn (Ida) Valley is not yet in full operation, sufficient has been done to demonstrate to the farmers the truly enormous possibilities of the district when this scheme is completed. Armed with the knowledge derived from our examination of the Poolburn Valley scheme, we were impressed with the suitability for irrigation of vast tracts of land in the Manuherikia Valley, which are not commanded by the race now in course of construction, but which must ultimately be brought under a more comprehensive scheme. In conclusion, we must state that the potentialities of the Manuherikia and Upper Clutha Valleys, as demonstrated at the present time by smiling orchards and green pastures, when irrigation is practised cannot be overestimated. PART IV.—MISCE] j I ANEOUS RECOMMENDATIONS . Your Commission makes the following recommendations in addition to those already embodied in this report :— 1. That on the expiry of pastoral runs on the Blue Mountains situated in the Glenkenich, Rankleburn, and Crookston Survey Districts suitable areas of these runs be set aside for afforestation purposes. 2. That, as the planting of shelter-belts on open country is necessary in order to afford not only shelter and protection for stock, but also firewood, fencing, and other purposes, it is therefore recommended that settlers wishing to plant portions of their holdings shall, on application to the Forestry Department, be supplied with the proper trees for that particular part of the country, and shall receive instruction as to the best methods of planting and suitable location for such work. Also, the planting of waste areas is recommended, such as abandoned mining tailings, sand-drifts, waste land of little value for agricultural or pastoral purposes, and river-beds where such planting is deemed advantageous. 3. From the evidence obtained it is certain that the kea is responsible for the destruction annually of large numbers of sheep; therefore we recommend that the destruction of the kea should be encouraged as much as possible. 4. That section 235 of the Land Act, 1908, relative to the prevention of the growth and spread of noxious weeds, particularly sweetbrier (Rosa rubigino'sa), blackberry (Rubus fruiticosus), and St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), should apply to the leases of all pastoral land, and the Lands Department should take steps to enforce this condition of the lease. 5. In cases where freehold land necessary for the working of the adjoining or adjacent high pastoral lands is let to the tenant of such land by the nonresident owner the Crown should take steps under the compulsory clauses of the Act to acquire such land and add it to the lease of the pastoral land, in terras of section 59, Land for Settlements Act, 1908. 6 The members of your Commission having inspected the various experimental areas instituted by the Department of Agriculture in Central Otago, and recognizing the importance of this work, strongly urge that further experiments in both irrigation and dry-farming methods be carried out on the areas set apart at Galloway Flat for this purpose. . 7 That the present Fencing Act be amended in regard to the height, mesh, and gauge of rabbit-proof netting, and that netting 36 by H by 17 is considered sufficient. ~ . 8. That, since the erection of rabbit-proof boundary-fences on rabbitinfested country is desirable, on the serving of due notice by an owner or

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