THE BEE DISEASE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 24 October 1912, Page 7

THE BEE DISEASE.

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "Chronicle.")

AUCKLAND, October 22

In connection with the recent cablegram stating that the .loss of £1,000,----000 worth of bees had taken place in Britain, Mr. M. J. Hopkins, late chief Government apiarist, informed a "Herald" reporter that the loss had been -mised by.what is known as "Isle of Wight" disease. This disease first came prominently into notice in 1906, and by 1908 nearly all bees on the island had perished. It first appeared in England in 1909 and quickly spread north. In Wales and Scotland it caused wholesale destruction of hives. At the present time, Mr. Hopkins said, he did not think that there was one county in England. Scotland or Wales that was clear of tho disease. The matter was of «o serious n nature that the greatest anxiety existed among the fruit growers of Britain lest honey bees, the chief croer. fertilising agency of fruit blossoms, should be destroyed altogether. A recent visitor to England, Mr. Hopkins said, had stated that bee-keeping there war. in an awful condition, and tho disease was so infectious that if by p.ny chance it made its appearance in New Zealand it would ruin the industry here. "Tn mv opinion," Mr. Hopkins concluded, "the importation of bees from any countra, where tho bee diseaee existr. should be^f-ohibited."