THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11593, 31 May 1898, Page 2

THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL CONFERENCE.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Associations and Farmers’ Clubs, to be represented at the Agricultural Conference, to be held on June ,16, under the auspices of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, will be_ as follow : North Island—Auckland, Mr Westney and Mr E. Hall; Palmerston North, Mr A. MHardy. and Mr G. Wheeler; Wairarapa, Mr W. C. Bucttanan or Mr Dorset; Waikato Agricultural Association and. Faimers’ Club, Messrs J. P. Baraugh and J. Fisher; Mastertori, Messrs H. Betham and D. G uild ; Poverty Bay, Mr A. F. Kennedy; Hawke's Bay, Messrs W. Shrimptbn and R. Douglas M’Lean ; Wellington, Messrs James Stuckey and Brady. . South Island —Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association—Northern (Ilangi-, ora) Mr H. F.Gray; Ashburton, Mr J.j Brown; Conrtenay Farmers’ Club, Mr Robert Reid; Camara, Messrs J. S. Holmes and D. Borrie; Dunedin, Messrs A. C. Begg. and H. V. Fulton; Invercargill, Messrs P. : L. Gilkinson and R. Cuthbertson;, Palmerston South, Mr John Douglas; -Nelson, Messrs W. R. May and J. Best ; Hokitika, Mr C. R. Glass; Geraldine, Mr M. •C. Orbell. Wanganui, Tokomairiro and Cheviot have not yet forwarded the names of their dele- > gates. - The papers to he read at the Cohfereiice will comprise—Technical Education in its Relation to Agriculture, by Mr G. Gray, lecturer in chemistry, Canterbury' Agricultural College; Progress of Agriculture in Canterbury, by Mr T. W. Adams, __ Greendale ; The Rabbit Nuisance, or the Relation of the Rabbit Act to Existing Conditions, by Mr R. Cuthbertson, Invercargill; Tree Planting ; The Necessity for More Experi- „ mental Work being done in New Zealand, by Mr P, Patullo; Land Drainage and Irrirgation. In addition to the delegates named the following gentlemen have been invited to attend to take part in the discussions: — Sir J. Hall, Mr G. Gray, Mr T. W. Adams, Mr P. Patullo, Mr John Roberts (Dunedin), Mr J. C. Chayter (Marlborough); Mr J. G, Wilson. (Palmerston North), Mr John Grigg, Mr James Guild (Temuka), Mr J. D. Ritchie (Secretary for Agriculture) and Mr Gilnrl,b .and Mr Holdemess. The following is a list of subjects Jor discussion, which are-subject to classification: —Wanganui—The date of sheep retains mid date of shows, North and South Islands. Oamara —That the date of dipping sheep should he extended to. May 31 instead of April 30. That a concession of railway ■carriage rates should be made for stud stock conveyed for stud purposes. The advisability of having all entire horses inspected by Government inspectors, qualified veterh nary surgeons, before being allowed to serve or "travel. That railway rates for exhibits at shows should be considered, with a view to ( a simpler and less expensive method than tha present practice. Ashburton: —Small birds —That the local-authorities mentioned in the Birds Nuisance Act should' be compelled to purchase-all eggs and heads of small birds ob-| tained within their respective boundaries ;j the price to be paid during the bidding seai son should be a uniform one, fixed by,'the Government, and not less than threepence (3d) per dozenfor eggs, and- sLypence (6d) pei dozen for beads of full-grawh birds. .'la every connty half the cost should be: paid from the county fund. That the seventh section of the Birds Nuisance Act should be strictly and -energetically enforced by the stock.inspectors. That the Government should b e asked • to import a large number of sparrow hawks; and set them at liberty in the worst infested districts. That the hawks of this-"country should begazetted as native game, and coma •within the operation of the Animals Protection Act. That the. Government should ba asked to pass an Act during the next session of Parliament to prevent the spread of tha Californian, thistle, and to give further power to all local bodies for the better enforcement and strict observance of such Act. Ihraughfi ’ horse stud book—-That, with a view to making*,the “ Draught Horse Stud Book ” sLmora popular and up-to-date publication, it is tha opinion of this Conference that all known brppaWa of pedigree stock throughout. New, ZeaJand»shonld be-communicated with soliciting their i support towards assisting the committee of the Canterbury and Pastoral Association in compiling another volume. Southland—The arbitrary powers granted raider the Babbit Act toinsjiectqrs, 1 whereby a magistrate is compelled to inflict a fine on the exparte statements of the inspector, nomatter what evidence the settler may produce. We think that the Act should be relaxed in its stringency, and we object to a conviction being imperative on tha bare word of an inspector. The topping and poisoning of rabbets should also be cussed, the export of rabbits having assumed enormous dimensions in Southland within the last two years; the Department are in-j sisting on poisoning instead of merely mg that the pest shall in some way troyed. Courtenay—That better jpanEßßorJ should be made for the dissemmafsoci of ex- 1 , pert information amongst fanners. Auckland—The licensing of stallions. The IbH nation of a roll of agricultural show judges. The probability of the Queensland tick pest being introduced into New Zealand. The Noxious Weeds Bill. 'Veterinary qualification of stock insjiectocai The affiliation of Agricultural Associations; Wellington—That it would be in the in-; terests of associations of the colony tcf affiliate,, and have a central-councilor govern-! ing body. That the Conference should re-! commend to-every Agricultural and Pastoral' Association, in New Zealand that all horses (both stallions and mares) entered in the breeding classes at their shows , should bo examined by a duly qualified veterinary surgeon as to hereditary unsoundness, anathar those not passing such examination should not ! be placed before the _ and that those which pass should ba| presented with a certificate to that effect' on payment of an extra entrance fee. That the Government should heap* proached with a view to allow their voter*-; nary surgeons to act as examiners at sucH ‘ exhibitions. That the Government should/ be requested to absolutely prohibit the in* portation from Anstraba of any live cattle* Otago—That a more regular system of earmailing should be adopted in this colony*! That the Conference should take into con-' sideration the advisability of adopting a standard of points’ for judging stock at the' agricultural shows. That no stallion should be allowed to travel in any district unless the animal has been inspected by a duly qualified veterinary surgeon, and a certificate obtained that such animal is free from' hereditary unsoundness,, and thata-tax should be imposed covering the cost of inspection.' That the Conference should discuss thef Noxious Weeds Bill. That the working of the Rabbit Act should be brought under the notice of the Conference, and suggesting that a rabbit-proof fence should be made a legal fence, ahd compelling the adjoining owner to participate in the cost of construction and maintenance. That it is desirable that 1 the Conference should discuss the question of the mortality amongst lambs, particularly at cutting and tailing, caused through .using dirty yards. The necessity for more experimental work being done in New Zealand* Hokitika—That Government should bo recommended to establish permanent' dairy; schools in the various districts. Tliat the sale of all grass seed should bo subject to inspection, with a view to preventing spurious and adulterated seeds from finding their way into the market. Also to discuss abattoir regulations, etc. The above subjects are subject to revision before being printed in the order paper, where they will b* classified.