LL—32

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

THE COLORADO POTATO BEETLE (HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF). [With a Plate.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Agent-General, London, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretart, Wellington. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster S.W., Sie ,— 26th July, 1877. I have fhe honor to inform you that I have forwarded to you by post six small cases containing models of the Colorado beetles, in various stages of development. 1 have, besides, sent about a dozen to different persons, who I think will be able to procure for them extended inspection. I have not sent any to the Provincial Districts of Marlborough and Westland, and I hope you will spare at least one case each to Mr. Seymour and Mr. Bonar. Perhaps, also, you will let Mr. Rolleston have one. The Colorado beetle has made its appearance in Europe, and the greatest apprehension exists as to the ravages it may commit. It is not supposed those ravages will be confined to the potato. It seems to be generally admitted that the best precautionary measure to take is to circulate a description of the insect, and thousands and tens of thousands of illustrations and models are being distributed over Great Britain and the Continent. One firm in London has ordered 10,000 cases, such as lam sending you, for circulation amongst its clients. It is asserted to be positively necessary to spread a knowledge of the insect throughout the world, its ravages are so desolating, and its power of adapting itself to various vegetable food so alarming. New 7 Zealand, with its direct communication with America, runs some danger of its introduction. You will let me kuow if you wish a larger supply of these models. I have, &c., Julius Vogel, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.

No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal, London, to the Hon. the Colonial Secuetart, Wellington. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W., Sir,— 16th August, 1877. In continuation of my letter of 26th July, No. 762, on the subject of the Colorado beetle, I have the honor to enclose, for the information of the Government, a copy of a Parliamentary Paper containing a report of the Canadian Mirrister of Agriculture on the subject; and also correspondence with Her Majesty's Legation at Berlin and the Hague relating to the recent appearance of the beetle at Muli'heim, in Germany, and at Rotterdam. The paper also contains illustrations of the beetle, issued by the Canadian and the Dutch Governments. The models which I sent you by the last mail were, I understand, prepared under the direction of the Government of Germany. I forgot to mention that their cost was 18s. a dozen boxes. I also enclose you a copy of an Act introduced by Her Majesty's Government, and which has just received the Poyal assent, for preventing the introduction and spreading of insects destructive to crops, and especially of the insect designated as " Boryphora decem-lineata," and commonly called the Colorado beetle. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, The Hon. tho Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General.