The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1907. A USEFUL MEASURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2167, 24 August 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 1907. A USEFUL MEASURE.

The Apiaries Act which the House of Representatives passed on Thursday is of considerably more importance than a good many people .imagine, end certainly did not deserve the ridicule which some members, presumably through ignorance, attempted to cast upon it. The object of the Bill is to assist the bee-keeping industry by stamping out * disease. In the past there has been a number of failures amongst those who endeavored to make the raising of honey a profitable occupation, by reason of the fact that every now and then a contagious disease, usually described a 6 foul-brood, would break out among tlio hives and destroy whole colonies of bees. As with human ailments, this disease is provoked and fostered by unhealthy surroundings, and it is, moreover, exceedingly infectious. Under these circumstances the only means whereby black-brood can be kept down is to compel all who keep bees to observe certain methods that aro best calculated to keep tho colonies in good health. Failing this, the careful beekeeper, working to promote his business on sound, scientific lilies, is always liabio to have his efforts nullified bj’ the neglect of a thriftless, incompetent neighbor. The Bill which has just been passed empowers 'Government inspectors to examine tho hives on any person’s property, and to order the destruction of both bees and hives where these exist under unhealthy conditions. Tho old candle-box hive, dumped down in a damp, unsuitable position, and overgrown with weeds and rubbish, will not bo tolerated in the future, but a properly-constructed frame hive, the interior of which oan easily bo examined, will take its place. Tile penalties for non-compliance with the provisions of tho Act are 'fairly severe, and provided the Government administers it with discretion the results should bo exceedingly beneficial. No doubt bee-keepers throughout the colony will be . given a reasonable time .in Which to effect the necessary alterations in their methods. The proposed legislation may appear somewhat drastic, but half-hearted measures are of no avail in dealing with a. disease that threatens the ex- , istence of an important industry. Few people realise the fact, but it is nevertheless undeniable that beekeeping is one of tlie most profitable undertakings that any farmer can indulge in. j A particularly striking testimony in this direeion was given recently by a Southland farmer, who lias the reputation of being one of the most successful dairy men in that province. He also engages in beekeeping on a large scale, and, having kept accounts in a thorough manner, he discovered at the end of twelve months that his bees had been more profitable than his cows. There are many others in New Zealand who are making a tidy sum annually by utilising the energy of tho busy bee, and the Government has done a wise action in taking steps to protect this growing industry.