AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Western Star, Issue 2215, 21 June 1898, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

At the Agricultural Conference held this year at Christchurch, resolutions were passed to the effect— That the Fencing Act be amended by making a rabbit proof fence a legal fence and compelling the adjoining owner to participate in the cost of erection and maintence. That the Gov© ument be requested to set up a parliamentary committee to take evidence with regard ro the necessity for fresh legislation dealing with the rabbit nuisance. That the Government be requested to establish peripatetic dairy schools in various districts. That the Government be requested to introduce a noxious weed bill dealing particularly with the so-called Californian thistle, the bill to contain stringent regulations for preventing the sale of seeds, particularly of grass not guaranteed pure and clean, and giving fuller powers to local bodies for the better enforcement of the Act. That New Zealand hawkes be

gazetted native game. That the powers granted inspectors and magistrates under the Rabbit Act are far too arbitrary inasmuch « '3 the magistrate is compelled to inflict; a fine on ex parte statements of inspectors no matter what evidence settlers might produce. That the conference should appoint two committees for each island to con- . fer with freezing companies and the Frozen Meat Association, and urge them to give effect to certain reforms in the direction of the concentration of sales by the appointment of certain firms to conduct the sales, making it a condition that sales should be made by those firms, and appointing a paid advisory board in London and for the colony. That the Government be requested to take active measures for the erectiou of cool stores at the docks aod, if necessary, increase the present vote for that purpose. That the dipping of sheep in the North Island should be from January first to April 30th, and in the South Island from February first to May 31st. ' . That the sheep returns should be

collected in August. That the mortality in lambs by cutting and tailing could be obviated by using clean yards and anticeptics. That the Government be asked to devise some better mode of ear-maik- Ving sheep than the present to obviate sheep stealing. That judges at shows be instructed not to give prizes to horses in breeding classes showing signs of hereditary nnsonndness after examination by a qualified veterinary surgeon. That a fee be imposed covering cost.

That all owners of stud draught stock should enter their horses in the Stud Book. That the conference urge on the Government the necessity of stock and dairy inspectors possessing vet* erinery experience, and that each provincial district be supplied with a resident qualified veterinary surgeon either employed or subsidised by the Government. That, with a view of promoting a continuous and permanent demand for stud stock in the other colonies, all stoek exported be registered in the Stnd, Herd, and Flock Books. That every encouragement be given to dehorning cattle while young, and that the Agricultural Department be asked to furnish the moat effective and simplest method of destroying the horns.

That, in the opinion of the conference, the Government should be asked to compensate settlers whose cattle are condemned by stock inspectors, the compensation to bo half the value when the animal is proved to bo sound

That a concession in railway carriage rates be made on stock conveyed for stnd purposes. That the railway rates for exhibits at shows be considered with a view to suggesting a less expensive method than at present. That the conference request the Minister of Railways to give instructions that trucks used for stock. be cleansed immediately after nn oiding. That steps be taken to form a roll of competent judges for shows. That steps be taken to prevent the clashing of shows in the North and South Islands.

That steps be taken to affiliate all the associations in the colony, and to have one central governing body. That better provision be made for the dissemination of expert information amongst farmers, and that the Government be asked to appoint, Bay, four teachers in the principal centres, whose duty it should bo to lecture and instruct farmers as to tho beet and most up-to-date methods of carrying oh their operations. That the conference considers there is a great necessity for more experimental work being done in the colony by agricultural associations, It was decided to hold the next conference in Wellington in 1900. The conference then closed.