H—44

(e) Research The amount contributed by the Board towards the cost of maintaining the Tobacco Research Station during the 1946-47 season was £590 16s. Id., which, added to previous contributions, brings the total to £8,667. (/) Crop Insurance The Crop Insurance Reserve Fund now stands at £5,580. A transfer from the Accumulated Fund of £3,106 was made during the year ended 31st July, 1947. Favourable climatic conditions greatly reduced claims on the Fund, and during the period under review only one claim was received. It arose from damage by hail and the quantity affected was only 300 lb. (g) Members of the Tobacco Board The present members of the Tobacco Board are : Chairman and Government representative : Mr. L. J. Schmitt. Representative of Manufacturers: Messrs. F. A. L. Hunt, T. P. Husheer, W. R. Olliver, and C. M. Paynter. Representative of Growers : Messrs. F. A. Hamilton, N. Rowling, R. W. S. Stevens, and M. H. Thorn. Mr. E. J. Fawcett, Director-General of Agriculture represents that Department in an advisory capacity at meetings of the Board. Secretary : Mr. H. L. Wise. Assistant Secretary : Mr. W. A. Clarke. (h) Tobacco-growing Statistics A comparison between the year under review and the preceding years is tabled below: —

The above production figures are the weight of leaf purchased from growers before redrying. Flue-cured leaf accounted for 93-9 per cent., and air-dried leaf for 6-1 per cent., of the 1946-47 crop.

41

Season. Number of Growers. Contract Acreage. Amended Contract Acreage. Production (lb.) 1935-36 499 1,969 * 1,197,161 1936-37 508 2,770 * 1,609,493 1937-38 442 2,563 * 2,067,827 1938-39 342 2,225 * 1,423,610 1939-40 339 2,570 * 2,217,040 1940-41 381 2,963 * 3,143,355 1941-42 381 3,063 2,875 2,721,539 1942-43 360 2,960 2,907 3,185,183 1943—44 414 3,106 3,066 3,083,094 1944-45 487 3,383 3,303 3,286,067 1945-46 553 3,577 3,405 4,080,135 1946-47 628 3,934 3,805 4,706,723 * Not available.