1.—12.

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, AND LIVE-STOCK COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). HON. MR. ORMOND, CHAIRMAN.

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 28th Day of June. Ordered, "That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all matters pertaining to Agricultural and Pastoral Industries and Stock, with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may bo appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report. The Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records ; throe to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Duncan, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. Houston, Mr. Lawry, Mr. T. McKenzie, Mr. Macintosh, Mr. C. H. Mills, Mr. Rhodes, and the Mover."—(Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie).

No. 39. —Petition of John Cole Chapple. The petitioner complains that he has suffered loss and been put to expense in consequence of the inroads of rabbits on to his land, coming from adjoining Crown lands. He also complains of the conduct of some of the Eabbit Inspectors. He prays for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make. 4th August, 1893.

No. 691, 1892.—Petition of the Eev. J. C. Andeew, of lea, Masterton. The petitioner prays for an amendment of " The Eabbit Nuisance Act, 1886," so that a decision on an information under clause 9 should in all cases be open to an appeal as to matter of fact, and not limited to cases where the fine inflicted is £10 and upwards. I am directed to report that the Committee see no grounds for recommending the alteration of the existing law as requested in the petition. 4th August, 1893.

The Fencing Act 1881 Amendment Bill. The Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Live-stock Committee, to whom was referred the Eencing Act 1881 Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that they have considered same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments thereto as shown in the attached copy. sth September, 1893.

The Stock Bill. The Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Live-stock Committee, to whom was referred the.above Bill for consideration, have the honour to report that they have duly considered same. The Committee recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments thereto as shown in the attached copy. 6th September, 1893.

No. 489a.—Petition of the New Zealand Loan and Meecantile Agency Company, and 53 Others, relative to the South Canterbury Eabbit Question. Youe Committee have considered a petition from settlers in South Canterbury in which they affirm that rabbits are seriously increasing on the north side of the South Canterbury rabbit-fence, and ask that Government aid be given towards the erection of fences to enable the settlers to deal more effectively with the pest in that part of the district where the rabbits are thickest. Mr. Ehodes, M.H.E., gave information to the Committee in support of the petition, and Mr. Eitchie, of the Stock Department, gave very full particulars of the action of that department. The Hon. the Minister of Lands stated that the Government could not consent to provide funds for the fences proposed in the petition, but would undertake that, in respect of rabbit-fences erected on leased Crown lands, the value of such fences should be secured to the tenants on expiration of their leases, pro-. vided that such fences were approved by the department before erection; also, that the Government would favourably consider any efficient scheme of fence that would secure the check of the pest to the northwards.