11

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and skins for export. The granting of permits and the maintenance of the necessary supervision over these tame animals has thrown a considerable amount of extra work upon the Live-stock Division staff. It is a matter for regret that the market for Angora wool in the United Kingdom is in a very unsatisfactory state, and the immediate outlook gives cause for concern. Noxious Weeds. The officers responsible for the carrying out of noxious-weeds inspection have had a hard time, especially in those districts where ragwort is prevalent. They do their best, and the aggregate result of their efforts doubtless represents the exercise of a considerable amount of control. But, with ragwort and blackberry especially, a full enforcement of the Act would in many cases mean asking settlers to undertake a volume of work entirely beyond the capacity of their financial resources. From time to time the question is raised of forming local Noxious Weeds Boards to take over the administration of the Act. This suggestion possesses a good deal of merit, in that, if adopted, local knowledge and local effort would be applied to local conditions. If given effect to it would undoubtedly mean that the Government would have to pay a considerable subsidy, though as an offset its own expenditure upon inspection would largely disappear and be limited to some overseeing responsibilities. At the present time County Councils possess powers enabling them to deal with noxious weeds (and in a few cases, by arrangement with the Department, they are co-operating in noxious weeds control). Hence a County Council could undertake the duties which the advocates of Noxious Weeds Boards consider should be carried out by the Boards. The control of noxious weeds constitutes a difficult and sometimes unpleasant responsibility, and consequently the undertaking of it can hardly be expected at first sight to appeal favourably to established county authorities, notwithstanding the fact that, having regard to the value of local effort in this direction, it would be a valuable forward step. Failing the establishment of localized control, some system of co-operation between the Department and County Councils, or, alternatively, local Noxious Weeds Boards, would be of distinct advantage, if not involving too great expenditure. All this may appear to convey the idea that the Department is desirous of getting others to relieve it of an arduous and difficult responsibility, but I trust it will be realized that the expression of these views is actuated only by the genuine desire to endeavour to find the most effective and practicable method of dealing with noxious weeds to the best advantage. As the success of Rabbit Boards has shown, organized local effort is very valuable in work of this kind. Publicity. The Publications Service was well maintained during the year, with the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture as the Department's chief means of disseminating information and recording its many-sided work. There was also a large output of instructional pamphlets, and a number of miscellaneous departmental publications were issued. The weekly radio broadcast lecturettes service instituted some eighteen months ago was continued during the year from Station 2YA, Wellington. A wide range of subjects was again covered, all branches of the Department having furnished lecturers. Much appreciation of this service has been expressed. Many ordinary lectures and demonstrations were also given as usual. Some special publicity work was carried out by the periodical supply, to a number. ...oJL daily newspapers throughout the Dominion of notes on animal-husbandry subjects of a topical nature, an extra means of promptly reaching the farming community with information being thus provided. Legislation. During the main 1928 session of Parliament the following legislation connected with the Department was enacted: Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1928; Noxious Weeds Act, 1928; Orchard and Garden Diseases Act, 1928 ; Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Act, 1928 ; Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1928 (section 12). - Retirement of Assistant Dibectob-General. At the end of March Mr. F. S. Pope, Assistant Director-General, who had completed over forty years of Government service, retired on superannuation. Mr. Pope had been associated with the Department of Agriculture since 1900, and his assiduous and loyal devotion to the high duties entrusted to him were an important factor in the development of the Department and in the extension of its services to the primary industries. He was a highly valued coadjutor, and it was a matter of great regret to me that circumstances of time necessitated a severance of his association with the Department. C. J. Reakes, D.Y.S., M.R.C.V.S., Director-General.