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7. That the tax on sheep should not exceed what is sufficient to pay the salaries of the Sheep Inspectors. 8. That there should be no distinction between the Native and European races respecting the collection of rates and the erection of legal fences where Native land joins European. 9. That farmers should be permitted to shoot game on their own land at all seasons when necessary to protect their crops, such permit to be obtained from the Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace. I have, &c, C. S. Mills, Secretary, Taranaki Agricultural Society. The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Wellington.

Sik,— New Plymouth, 13th July, 1891. I have the honour, by direction of a sub-committee appointed by the Taranaki Agricultural Society, to reply to your circular of 27th May last, to supplement our recommendations of the -6th instant as follows :— That steps should be taken to abate the furze nuisance in this district. We had the matter under consideration last week, but being informed at the meeting there was provision made in one of the Acts by which a neighbour could be compelled to keep his boundary clear of stray furze for a space of half a chain, we did not bring the matter under your notice. We have since heard that no such proviso exists, and it is our opinion that such power is urgently needed, and, further, that the banks of rivers and streams should be kept free of furze owing to the seeds floating therefrom, and that the occupier of any land should be compelled to keep half the road free from furze, and it should not be necessary to prove that gorse spread from either side. Proviso to section 6 " Public Works Act, 1889," which provides that the local authority should have reasonable ground for believing that the plants have spread from adjoining ground leads to difficulties. We think that when it is brought before the notice of the police that stray furze is growing alongside of any road or scream, they (the police) should notify the owner or occupier of the land, to clear the same and see that such notice is complied with. We recommend this last paragraph as the local bodies appear to be too negligent hi the matter. Ou behalf of the Committee, I have, &c, C. S. Mills, Secretary, Taranaki Agricultural Society. The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, Wellington.

Sik, — Carterton, 24th June, 1891. I have the honour to inform you that the Show Committee of the Wairarapa and East Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Society, in reply to your circular of the 27th May, 1891, make the following suggestions:— Quarantine Charges. —The Society begs to call the attention of the Government to the excessive charges on stock. The expenses of the present system militates much against importing stud stock from outside countries. High Charges on Sliow Stock by Rail. —Though this department is not under the direct control of the Government, this society thinks it a matter that may well bo included in the reply to your inquiry. At present the cost of attending the different shows with show stock deters many from competing at any but their local show, whereas if the charges by rail were reduced breeders by coming together would be enabled to reap the benefit of each others experience. Disease among Young Stock. —The Society suggests the desirability of making careful inspection where many deaths occur among young stock. At present the death rate of hoggets and calves in some parts of the colony is very large indeed. A thorough inspection of such localities would probably, in many cases, result in the discovery of some of the causes. Analysing Artificial Manures. —This is a matter of very great importance. At present the purchaser has no means of obtaining an analysis, and these manures are now being very largely used. The society would therefore advocate that the services of the Government analyst should be placed at the disposal of farmers, in order that they may be saved the heavy loss entailed too frequently by adulteration. I am, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Agriculture. E. W. Dobset, Secretary.

Resolution passed by the Pahiatua County Council, 26th August, 1891, Ec Gone Nuisance. I have the honour to forward you a copy of resolution passed by the Council at its last meeting— viz. :— Resolved, That Mr. Hogg, M.H.E., be requested to ask the Ministry in legislating on the question of the gorse nuisance to make provision for the following: That any Eoad Board or County Council, in which gorse has not been introduced to any considerable extent, be empowered to prevent the introduction of gorse and destroying any found in such district, if there should be any already planted ; that the body aforementioned be empowered to compensate owners and destroying same; that the plants to be included in the measure be gorse, sweetbriar, and Californian thistle. Geokge Mooee, County Clerk.

•Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Dear Sib,- —■ Palmerston North. I have the honour to acknowledge the .receipt of your circular of the 27th May, which was laid before my committee on Saturday last, and I was instructed to say that this society will from