JOINT AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, AND STOCK COMMITTEE (REPORT OF, ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1894 Session I, I-12

1.—12

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, AND STOCK COMMITTEE (REPORT OF, ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS).

Report brought up 18th October, and ordered to be printed.

Foot-cot. Nos.-386, 387, 506, 510, and 534.—Petitions of Geoege Cheichton, John A. Lambeet, John Duncan and Others, H. E. Beown and Others, and E. Hutchinson and Others. Petitionees pray that foot-rot in sheep may not be declared a disease. The Committee, having considered correspondence submitted by the department in favour of the opposite course, have the honour to report that they have no recommendation to make in the matter.

Babbit-pest. No. 540.—Petition of T. Emeeson and Others. Petitioner prays for a bonus on his scheme of dealing with the rabbit-pest if the same proves a success. The Committee have the honour to recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for their consideration.

Duty on Impoeted Fbuit. No. 263. —Petition of the Poet Albeet Agricultubal and Horticultural Society. Petitionees pray for removal of the duty on imported fruit. The Committee, being of opinion that this is a matter involving public policy, have no recommendation to make upon this petition.

Sheep Disease in Taubanga District. The Committee, having considered a report from Mr. Gilruth, submitted by Mr. Eitchie, relative to sheep disease in the Tauranga District, have come to the following resolution : — That it is most important the department should, during the recess, have the whole subject of the great mortality in sheep, especially young sheep, throughout the colony examined into by the most capable experts the Government can employ, and that the fullest report possible should be laid before Parliament at the commencement of next session, conveying the conclusions such experts have come to, and containing such recommendations as they may be able to make for dealing with the diseases that cause the mortality. The Committee hope the Government will consider this matter of such great importance as to require consideration by the best experts available, whether such persons may be in the service of the colony at first or not.

Eae-maeking. The Committee, having considered a report from Sub-committee relative to the bonus offered for the best system of ear-marking and collection of ear-marks, have come to the following resolution: — That Messrs. Buchanan and Wilson, having examined the various systems of ear-marking received by the Stock Department in response to the bonus offered, are of opinion that none of them are of sufficient merit to justify their adoption. The Committee have no recommendation to make. J. D. Oemond, 18th October, 1894. Chairman. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,200 copies), 18s.

By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington,—-1894. Price 3d.]