FT.—2D-

Orchard Registration and Orchard-tax. The total number of registered orchards in the Dominion (orchards from which fruit is sold) now stands at 4,324, which is made up of 2,488 taxable orchards and 1,836 non-taxable. Non-taxable orchards show a considerable decrease as compared with the previous year, and is largely accounted for by the fact that a big number of occupiers with a few trees have either ceased selling fruit or are devoting the land to other purposes. The total amount of tax payable for the year was approximately £2,150, inclusive of penalty for late payment. After deducting cost of collection, a portion of the tax is paid to the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, Ltd., in the interests of the fruit industry generally, and the balance to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research as a fund to assist in orchard-research work. Fireblight-tax operated in three of the commercial fruitgrowing districts, and the collection of this tax was also attended to. The Beekeeping Industry. The .1937-38 honey season may be regarded as quite the best for several years past, a matter of considerable satisfaction to beekeepers, the majority of whom have experienced a succession of lean years. In practically all the commercial honey-producing districts the crop was well above the average, and, as is usual in a good season, the bulk of the honey produced was of excellent quality. Considerable interest continues to be manifested in the beekeeping industry, and this is evidenced in the numerous inquiries received during the year from persons desirous of taking up this branch of farming. Extensions have also been made by established beekeepers, and in a number of instances up-to-date plants—extractors, &c. —have been installed. There are still a number of areas available in different parts of the Dominion well adapted for the establishment of apiaries. Where irrigated areas have been brought into cultivation in Central Otago beekeeping is making satisfactory progress, and good crops of clover honey are being secured. Areas of land in Mid-Canterbury, where irrigation is be carried out, are attracting the attention of beekeepers, and already sites have been secured for setting out commercial apiaries. In response to the urgent requests which had been made from time to time by tha majority of those connected with the beekeeping industry, the Government recently, through the Internal Marketing Department, to some extent took over the marketing of honey within New Zealand and, in co-operation with the Honey Control Board, on the overseas market. In connection with the local markets, the Marketing Department handles all honey submitted to that organization by beekeepers for marketing. Apart from the honey voluntarily submitted, a beekeeper is at liberty under certain simple requirements to arrange his own marketing. So far these arrangements, which have been operating for only a comparatively short period, are working out highly satisfactorily and are popular with the majority of beekeepers. Inspectional work has been carried out as far as it has been possible to do so with the small staff available. As mentioned in previous reports, most of the Apiary Instructors' districts are too large for all apiaries to be visited as regularly as is considered desirable, the policy being to concentrate more on the commercial areas. The instructors have followed up the usual practice of giving practical demonstrations and lectures on the different phases of beekeeping in their respective districts, and these have proved very popular. Owing to the 1937 season being a poor one, there was a considerable decrease in the quantity of honey submitted for export, the total number of cases graded at the different grading-stores being 4,687. The following shows the quantities and values of honey exported from the Dominion for the last five years ended 31st March: — Cwt. Val £ ue ' 1934 .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,342 23,784 1935 .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,427 17,844 1936 .. .. .. .. .. 10,446 34,258 1937 .. .. .. .. .. 7,774 24,658 1938 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,804 12,658 Registration of Apiaries. The last available figures showed that 7,433 beekeepers were registered, representing a total of some 125,573 colonies of bees. By regulations dated 28th October, 1937, all beekeepers were required to make re-registrations of their apiaries within six weeks from the Ist November, 1937 (fresh registration to be made every five years thereafter). To date approximately 60 per cent, have complied, and those outstanding have been again notified of the necessity of complying with the regulations. It is hoped to have the registrations completed at an early date in order that the latest figures may be available. Staff. The past year has been a particularly busy one, and I have to thank all the officers of the Division for their loyal assistance and co-operation in carrying out the many phases of the work dealt with. It is with very deep regret that I have to record the death during the year of Mr. R. Sutherland, Cool Storage Officer. During his service with the Department Mr. Sutherland proved himself a very efficient and conscientious officer, and his death at a comparatively early age is great.lv to be deplored. In August last Mr. J. H. Thorp, Orchard Instructor, Nelson, was transferred to Wellington in connection with the preparatory work connected with the New Zealand-grown Fruit Regulation, and has been appointed Fruit Standardization Officer.

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