AGRICULTURE

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 1 June 1923, Page 7

AGRICULTURE

VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED. At a meeting of the Board of Agriculture last week, consideration was given to a number of suggested amendments to the following Acts, the principles of which were approved: —Noxious Weeds Act, Rabbit Nuisance Act, Stock Act (with particular application to that portion relating to brands and earmarks) ; and it was decided that the introduction of a Bill providing for veterinary surgeons’ registration was very desirable. The Director General of Agriculture gave an interesting outline of the investigations which had been for some time in progress regarding the life history of the cattle tick, prevalent iu tho northern portion of New Zealand. He intimated that a great deal of valuable data had already been collected, but finality had not yet been reached, a.ud as a consequence it was not immediately possible to make a public pronouncement on the subject. Certain minor amendments of the Cattle Tick Regulations, which it was deemed 'desirable to mako were considered and approved, and ihe Department urged to continue to take every practical precaution to prevent its further spread to other parts of the Dominion. Further consideration was given to the question of the control of the drifting sand dunes fin the West Coast of the North Island. It was decided to again urge the vigorous continuation and extension of the work of the reclamation and planting of sand dune areas by the Departments interested. Tho Board also expressed, the view that in those cases where drifting sand on Government land is threatening or injuring privately-owned land, some assistance should be given by way of subsidies or grants to such owners for work performed by them on Crown lauds with tho approval of the Departments concerned. Consideration was given to a draft Order-in-Council having for its object the protection of tiro natural enemies of the rabbit in those counties in the Dominion in which rabbits are proving troublesome, the principle of which was approved. , The Board discussed with the Direc-tor-General of Agriculture and Mr J. A. Campbell (Director of the Horticulture Division'), the position of the fruit industry with particular reference to conditions operating in the Nelson district. It was decided to secure further information on the subject, and to again go into the matter at the next meeting o fthe Board to see if anything can be done to foster the industry. Consideration of the following matters was deferred until next meeting:— (a) Provision for farm of instruction in connection with the proposed establishment of a Chair of Agriculture at tliei Victoria College; (b) Use of scrub bulls.