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Orchard-tax payable amounted to £2,266, inclusive of penalty for late payment. The tax is not what might be termed a Government tax, but is levied on fruitgrowers at their own request for the benefit of the fruit industry generally. In this connection a portion of the tax collected is paid to the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, Ltd., (less cost of collection), and the balance to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to assist in the carrying-out of research work relative to the many problems connected with fruitgrowing. Fireblight-tax was levied in four commercial fruitgrowing districts during the past year, the proceeds (less collection expenses) being handed over to the Fireblight Committees concerned for purposes connected with fireblight-control in their respective districts. The Beekeeping Industry. The 1936-37 season may be regarded as an extremely disappointing one to the majority of beekeepers. The somewhat boisterous spring prevented the bees from working the early flowering plants, consequently colonies were slow in building up to normal strength. In most districts these unsettled conditions were continuous and little or no improvement was experienced during the whole of the summer. The unusually long spells of inclement weather caused an excessive drain on the stores, necessitating a considerable amount of artificial feeding. With the exception of the Hawke's Bay and Canterbury and a portion of the Wairarapa district, where the conditions were more favourable, resulting in good crops of honey being secured, the returns in the other commercial beekeeping localities were considerably below the average. Taking the Dominion as a whole the season has been one of the most trying for beekeepers for many years past. As a result of the light crop there has been a decided advance in honey-prices on the local markets, and producers will thereby be compensated to a certain extent for a poor season. The local marketing of honey, however, is still a matter of considerable concern to a large section of beekeepers, and representations have been made to the Government with the view of bringing about an improvement. Although the industry is in a somewhat unsettled condition signs of optimism are apparent in the number of new apiaries established during the year and the extensions that have taken place to existing ones. Numerous inquiries have also come to hand from persons desirous of taking up beekeeping as a means of livelihood. There is still considerable scope for extending the industry, a number of areas suitable for the establishment of apiaries being still available in different parts of the Dominion. Additional areas of country which are being brought into cultivation by irrigation and which hitherto were unproductive from a beekeeper's standpoint are also likely to benefit honey-producers. The inspection of apiaries has been carried out as far as it has been possible with the present available staff, and reports to hand indicate that disease is being satisfactorily controlled by the bulk of commercial beekeepers. There is no doubt, however, that the present districts are too unwieldly for the proper carrying-out of inspection work, and a number of requests have come to hand from Beekeepers' Associations asking that further assistance be provided in order that a closer inspection for disease may be made possible. Requests for information and advice on the various phases of beekeeping have been met by correspondence and also by practical demonstrations and lectures given by the Instructors during the year. As a rule full advantage is taken both by experienced beekeepers and others of the opportunity thus afforded to gain further knowledge on apiary work. The grading of honey for export was carried out at the various grading-stores in accordance with the standards fixed by the New Zealand Honey Control Board, the total quantity graded being 9,049 cases, which was a slight decrease on the previous year's figures. Quantities and values of honey exported irom the Dominion during the last five years ended 31st March, are as follows : — Value. Cwt. £ 1933 .. •• •• •• .. .. 2,005 7,014 1934 .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,342 23,784 1935 .. •• .. .. .. 5,427 17,844 1936 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,446 34,258 1937 .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,774 24,658 Apiary Registrations. A number of new apiary registrations were received during the year ; changes of ownership and removals to fresh locations were also fairly considerable. The total number of registered beekeepers now recorded is 7,433, representing a total of some 125,573 colonies of bees. Staff. I have to thank the staff of the Division as a whole for the loyal and efficient service rendered during another busy year. It is with deep regret that I have to record the death during the year of Mr. 11. F. Frost, Orchard Instructor, Masterton. Mr. Frost had served nearly twenty years in the Department and was a popular and conscientious officer.

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