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2494. Then, again, with regard to other cases than the actual appointments, I suppose his recommendations are accepted generally ?—Yes. 2495. Can you recommend any change in the organization of the department at the present time ?—No ; as it stands now, I think not. 2496. I believe in the Australian Colonies the department is differently managed, is it not?— Yes ; there is generally a Minister of Agriculture in the Australian Colonies — not a separate Minister of Agriculture, but one of the Ministers has charge of the Department of Agriculture, and with it the Stock Department. In Sydney it is the Minister of Mines who takes Agriculture, and he has the Stock Department. lam not sure who has it in Melbourne, but I think it is the Chief Secretary. 2497. Then, there is one person who is permanent head of the department, who undertakes charge of everything, both indoor and outdoor work?— Yes. 2498. And he is responsible simply to the Minister ? —Yes ; he has a separate department of his own, that is not a branch of any other department. 2499. They recognize apparently more thoroughly the great importance of the Sheep and Babbit Department than we do ?—Yes ; I suppose they do. 2500. Do you think that this department is one of the most important departments that we have ? —I do, certainly. 2501. Is it not of sufficient importance to be placed on the same footing as that I have referred to ?—Yes ; I think it would be so. I may say this, however, that the conformation of the country is so different in New Zealand from what it is in Australia that you can hardly do without a man whose whole time is spent in the field. In the other colonies they have a centre from which they work, such as Sydney or Melbourne. They can radiate out, and do cheir work from there without spending much time in the field. Now, Mr. Bayly's work keeps him entirely away from headquarters ; therefore there would be a difficulty about his conducting the correspondence as well. 2502. Probably you would correct that last portion of your evidence then, when you said you thought the work might be conducted better if, as in the Australian Colonies, there was one permanent head having control indoors as well as outside : you think you must divide it ?—lt is difficult to explain exactly what I mean. I think that one man, if he was ever so good a correspondent, could hardly keep the work thoroughly well up, and do the out-door inspecting as well, in this country—certainly not so easy as he could in Australia. 2503. Hon. Mr. Williamson.) He could have an assistant? —Yes, if he had a good smart officeman it might answer. 2504. Mr. Dodson.) Mr. Bayly is sometimes six weeks away, is he not? —He is often more than six weeks away. 2505. And the correspondence would acumulate during his absence, so that it would be impossible for him to overtake it ?—Yes ; I may say that it was lately in contemplation to transfer the department to the Crown Lands Department. 2506. Hon. the Chairman.) For what reason was that ?—Because it was thought more cognate to the work of the Minister of Crown Lands. It was intended to make him Minister of Agriculture as well, and give him charge of everything relating to agriculture. That did not assume actually a concrete shape ; it was only just mentioned. 2507. Would you recommend a change of that description?—l think I should. 2508. It seemed to me that probably the thing would work in this way: If you had one permanent head, he would remain at the head office and superintend all the correspondence. He would have under him two Chief Inspectors, or two Superintending Inspectors, one for the North Island and one for the South, or one Superintending Inspector, who would be always in the field, and leave the correspondence entirely to the head office ?—That is really what happens now. Mr. Bayly corresponds very little. 2509. Then, you do not recommend any change upon that ? —No; Ido not think so. Ido not think you can have it much better than it is now in this country. 2510. Mr. Walker.) I suppose one difficulty is that very often a good man in the field is not a good man in the office ?—That is so. 2511. It is essential that the man should be good in the field?—lt is most essential. That is the most important point, I think. 2512. Mr. Buchanan.) In the case of a directorate of a company you would frequently find what might be called a " secretary-manager," a manager of details, the general management coming from the directors. Taking Mr. Bayly's position as Superintending Inspector, supposing his powers were still further extended so as to be similar to those enjoyed by Mr. Bruce, or Mr. Curr, in Australia, do you think that, if he were constantly in the field, or nearly constantly in the field, and gave his general directions to a secretary-manager in the office, that that would work ?— H% might. Yes ; if he had a very good man it would. 2513. Hon. the Chairman.) Are you satisfied with the way in which Mr. Bayly does his work? —I think Mr. Bayly has done his duty honestly and fairly, with considerable knowledge of the subject, and, on the whole, satisfactorily. 2514. Would you state to the Committee in whose hands the remission of fines rests when convictions have taken place under the Act? —It rests actually wi,th the Governor, but on the adivce of the Minister. 2155. I suppose that no remission of fines would be made without referring it to the Inspector who has laid the .information? —No; I think not. Ido not think any remission has been made without the knowledge of the Inspector. 2156. In one case, not long ago, a bond was taken instead of the payment of the fine ? —Yes. 2517. Do you know on what ground that was done?—lt is the first case that has happened, and I will tell you the argument by which it was defended, on which the application was made, and;