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the infected district from the scabby ones ?—None at all that I know of. The only possibility of getting a boundary would be by the Hanmer, into a small river called the Hossack, down to the Clarence; then taking the Cloudy Bange boundary. I believe there is another way, taking the wire fence and shutting out the Cloudy Range Run. 1120. You do not know of any?—No, Ido not. Sir Norman Campbell has told me that there is, and I have promised to go with him to inspect it. 1121. Would it not be much more convenient, and save a great deal of trouble, if the Chief Inspector was resident in the Middle Island instead of at Wellington: is there, or is there not, a great deal of inconvenience from the Chief Inspector being in Wellington ?—Well, I suppose there is some. Of course, lam a subordinate officer. 1122. Yes; and you are the more able to speak on that account, inasmuch as you have to get your orders from the Chief Inspector ?—I have found very great inconvenience at times from Mr. Bayly being away from Wellington, and there being no one to consult. 1123. Hon. the Chairman.) That is rather against Mr. Eobinson's proposal, is it not ?—There is not less difficulty in sending to certain parts of the Middle Island than to Wellington: there is much quicker communication with Wellington ? —The great difficulty is that the practical head of our department—who, I suppose, is Mr. Bayly—is travelling a great deal of his time, and very often is not get-at-able. Sometimes lam not able to get instructions from him, or advice for a month, so that I have in most cases to take my own course. 1124. Perhaps you can state what then are the duties of Mr. Bayly in regard to your district: is he supposed to come and inspect all the runs ?—No, I do not think so. I think he is more an Inspector of Inspectors, to give us instructions and advice when required. 1125. Hon. Mr. Bobinson.) There was a Mr. Passau, an Inspector at Kaikoura?—Yes. 1126. Under whose authority was Mr. Passau acting : with whom rested the power to remove him ? —Well, the head of the department, I suppose. I have no power whatever. 1127. When was Mr. Passau moved from there ?—He was there until quite recently; about three weeks ago, I should imagine; I cannot say positively. It was about the 30th August. \ 1128. Where is Mr. Passau gone to now ? —I believe he is to reside at Blenheim, and to take charge of the Awatere District. 1129. Was there another Sheep Inspector appointed in his place?— There is one now—Mr. Clifton. 1130. Who appointed him?—l suppose he was appointed at Wellington. He is a stranger to me. 1131. Do you know where he came from ? —From the Wairarapa. He seems to be a very good, practical man. 1132. Hon. the Chairman.) I wish to ask you, Mr. Foster, one or two more questions with regard to Mr. Gibson's run. You know the Greenhill Beserve for shearing ? —Yes. & 1133. A great deal has been said about that reserve having been leased to Mr. Ward, I think, and no longer being what is usually understood by a shearing reserve : what is your opinion about that ? —lt has been a great mistake, I think, that it was ever allowed to be used for that purpose. Mr. Wood and Mr. Bullen continually get their flocks infected. I suppose it could not be helped very well, because it is almost impossible to get a dray-road into the Clarence Valley. 1134. Mr. Walker.) They pack their wool up ? —They bring their sheep right over the range into the midst of clean country to save the cost of packing the wool. 1135. Hon. the Chairman.) There is nothing in the Act which, if strictly enforced, would prevent them from taking their sheep there?—No ; because it is a portion of the run. They do not travel off the Clarence country. 1136. You just mentioned, with regard to Mr. Ingles' run, that it had been divided in order to enable him to get a clean certificate for a portion of it ?—Not so much for that, as to protect the small clean flocks by preventing the scabby sheep from being brought into the midst of the Kaikoura farms. 1137. Here it is just the reverse: a man adds to his run in order that he may take scabby sheep to a place for shearing, and in doing so causes very great risk to his neighbours ?—Yes. 1138. Now, do you consider that the Act is satisfactory on that point, or do you think any amendment should be suggested ?—I do not see what amendment could be made ; there are many similar cases. I should like to prevent Mr. Gibson bringing his sheep over if I could. A lot more fencing has been done on the shearing reserve this winter, which will facilitate the working of the sheep. Ido not anticipate so much trouble as before. 1139. One gentleman who has given evidence here has spoken about one step that was taken, which was most effective—namely, that of dipping before shearing. What is your ordinary course? —We have no power under the Act to compel people to dip at all at any particular time. It is only under the first portion of the 23rd clause that we can proceed against a man for not taking proper precautions. 1140. You must leave it to the owner of the sheep to take such precautions as he may think fit ?—We do tell him, of course, what steps we consider necessary, and we generally produce in Court any letter we may have written to that effect, with the view of getting heavier penalties inflicted. 1141. Do you think that the Act should be amended in the direction of giving the Inspector power to say what should be done ? —I think that should hardly be done in all cases. Ido not think that all Inspectors can be trusted with so much power. I should think it would be better if the Chief Inspectors had the power.- Any discretionary power, I think, should rest with the Chief Inspectors. 1142. I merely wished to hear your opinion whether you thought the Act should be amended in that way ? —I think it would assist us a great deal. 1143. Mr. Walker.) Did not the old Canterbury ordinance give that power to the Chief Inspector ?—Yes; it was always to the Chief Inspector. 10—I. 5.