H.—29

Close attention has been given to tie inspection of apiaries for disease as far as restricted travellingallowances would permit, and, while it has been found necessary to take action for the control of foulbrood in some of the smaller neglected apiaries, the condition of hives generally is satisfactory. The assistance rendered by a number of experienced beekeepers in the capacity of honorary apiary inspectors in some of the main commercial districts has again been of considerable help in connection with inspection work. In addition to affording advice by correspondence on the various phases of beekeeping, advantage is taken by the Apiary Instructors during the winter months to give practical demonstrations and lectures in their respective districts. These are a valuable aid, especially to beginners, and. as a rule such meetings are well attended. There was a considerable increase this year in the quantity of honey graded for export at the different grading stores, a total of 9,097 cases being dealt with, as against 4,790 cases in the previous year. This increase was mainly due to the unsatisfactory state of the local market, producers preferring to ship their surplus overseas. The grading was carried out under the standards fixed two seasons ago by the New Zealand Honey Control Board in conformity with its powers under the Honey-export Control Act, 1924. The new system is now working smoothly, and the elimination of low grades of honey formerly sent forward for export should go a long way in maintaining the high position New Zealand honey holds on the English market. The following shows the quantities, in hundredweights, and values of honey exported from the Dominion during the five years ended 31st March, 1936—1932, 4.749, £17,606 ; 1933, 2,005, £7,014 ; 1934, 7,342, £23,784 ; 1935, 5,427, £17,844 ; 1936, 10,446, £34,258. Apiary Registration. Apiary registrations were fairly numerous during the year, and a number of cancellations, changes in ownership, &c, were attended to. Approximately eight thousand five hundred apiaries are now registered, representing a total of some 135,000 colonies of bees. Staff. With the many and varied activities coming within the scope of the Division, together with the increasing calls for advice and information covering a wide field of operations, the past year has been a particularly busy one. Thanks are due to all officers of the Division for their loyal assistance and co-operation. In September last Mr. W. T. Goodwin, Assistant Director of the Division, was appointed to the position of Director of Agriculture, Rarotonga, for a period of three years under the Cook Islands Department. During his absence Mr. W. K. Dallas, Orchard Instructor, Plant Research Station, Palnierston North, is acting as Assistant Director. It is with deep regret that I have to record the death during the year of Mr. S. C. E. Rhodes, Apiary Instructor, Dunedin. During his service in the Department Mr. Rhodes proved himself a most efficient and conscientious officer, and his death at a comparatively early age is much to be deplored.

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