DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 277, 27 November 1906, Page 3

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Mr J. D. Eitchie, secretary for agriculture, arrived with the Minister Lands by the West Coast boat to-day. To-morrow, in company with the Hon. MeNab, he will .visit the Ruakura and Waerenga State farms, putting up at Hamilton for the night, and returning to town the next day. While in Auckland Mr Ritchie will inquire into the growing requirements of the Poultry Department's accommodation up here. In view of the overcrowding of the present quarters, it has been deemed advisable to obtain more commodious ones, and Mr Ritchie will probably make arrangements, either for the enlargement of the present premises occupied by the poultry offices, or the acquirement of new ones. The Department has had a property under offer to it for the purpose for some time. Another matter that is occupying Mr Ritchie's attention is the hemp industry, which is growing to such an important extent that the Department of Agriculture is now giving this section a considerable amount of attention. -During the week he will be kept busy oh various matters up here in conjunction with the, Minister for Lands. This niornrbg he- visited the Auckland Office of Agriculture to discuss various Departmental matters with Mr E. Clifton, the chief of the Stock Department." }