H.- -29a.

1920. NEW ZEALAND.

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1919-20.

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

RHIE.OKT. The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Wellington. Win,— Ist June, 1920. T beg to submit the following summary of the past year's work of the second Board of Agriculture, whose term of office expired on the 30th April. We held several meetings during the year for the consideration of the matters that came before us from time to time, and had a conference with the Right Hon. the Prime Minister regarding the acquisition of Nauru Island in the Pacific. We regret that, for health reasons, Mr. W. F. M. Buckley, of Christchurch, was obliged to tender his resignation as the representative on the Board of the agricultural and pastoral associations in the Canterbury District. The Board desires to place on record their thanks for the assistance rendered by Mr. Buckley in the work during two periods of office, and hopes that his complete restoration to health may speedily come about. Mr. D. W. Westenra, of Dunsandel, was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Buckley's resignation. Regulations re Ticks affecting Cattle. Draft regulations for controlling the spread of ticks affecting cattle, submitted by Dr. Reakes, were considered by us. After thoroughly discussing the provisions of the regulations it was agreed to endorse the principle set forth in them with the following amendments: To reduce the minimum fine from £20 to £10, and to add the following two clauses : — (1.) That any vehicle which has carried or is suspected of having carried infected stock must be thoroughly cleansed before being again used; and (2.) That no stock be shipped from the North Island to the South Island unless it has first been examined by an Inspector and declared by him to be free from tickinfestation. Export of Stud Stock to America. The question of the export of stud stock from New Zealand to South America was brought up for our consideration. It was mentioned that owing to the cessation of a direct steamer service our market for this class of stock in South America was now practically non-existent, and that recently a stud-sheep buyer from Argentine came over to New Zealand only to find on reaching the Dominion that there was no steamer service between the countries. Inquiry from the principal shipping companies elicited the information that at present there did not appear to be any intention of sending steamers round Cape Horn instead of through the Panama Canal, but that if sufficient inducement in the way of freight offered the proposition might receive consideration later. As the Board are of opinion that a direct service to South America is a necessit}? to the Dominion, we would urge that steps be taken to have it reinstated as soon as possible. Acquisition of Nauru Island. In response to tjie request of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister several members of the Board, together with Dr. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, and Mr. Aston, Agricultural Chemist,