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314. Are you satisfied that proper steps are being taken generally to check the nuisance ? —I am not. Ido not think that we have ever grappled with this question as it should have been grappled with. I think we want something more than we have at the present time at our disposal. As far as our present means are concerned, taking the matter generally, things have been pretty well conducted; but we have not yet arrived at the solution of the difficulty. 315. You say you want something more. Do you mean on the part of private owners?— No. We want to discover some new disease, for instance, to stamp out the rabbits. 316. A different remedy ?—Yes. 317. You mentioned before the Committee two years ago that the counties were districts under the Eabbit Act ?—Yes. 318. Each county a separate district ?—Yes. 319. Is that so now ? —Still the same. 320. And what officers have you in each of these districts to carry out the provisions of the Act ? —The number varies in each district. Some districts are more infested than others. 321. But what is the general machinery?— There is an Inspector for each district. He appoints agents as he requires them—generally two, sometimes one, and in one instance there are three. 322. "What are the duties of these agents ?—They are given a certain portion of the country to oversee, and they are supposed to report to the Inspector the state of the country that they go over. After receiving their report he visits the country himself, and gives notices if required. 323. What authority has the Inspector to give instructions where there are rabbits?— The agent has no authority. The Inspector would issue an order under the Act. If not complied with he would summon. 324. Does he describe the method of how the rabbits are to be dealt with ?—No. 325. He leaves it to the owner to destroy the rabbits in the best way he thinks fit ? —Yes. 326. Are you satisfied with the efficiency of these officers?—l am not satisfied, hearing as I have done of the increase. lam under the impression myself that the duty has not been carried out as it should have been done. I am speaking generally, from the increase of rabbits this year and the general complaints made. When I visited the south I saw in some places a good many rabbits and in other places fewer than in previous years, but generally I did not see that the same reduction had taken place as in former years. 327. Do you attribute this to the want of efficiency on the part of the Inspectors or officers?— I cannot say so. Ido not know of a case of such a kind. 328. Have you had any complaints of want of energy on the part of Inspectors, or of inattention ? —I have had one or two complaints of places, which I have forwarded at once to the Inspector in question. But that has been very lately—within the last three weeks. 329. What district ?—-It was at Fortrose, near Wyndham, in the Southland District. 330. Did both complaints come from there ? —The other came from Lake Wakatipu District. 331.- What steps did you take ? —I forwarded these letters to the Inspector, desiring him to visit the ground, and let me have a special report as soon as possible. With reference to the second affair, that was sent to the Inspector for his explanation, and then forwarded to the Chief Inspector for further report. 332. And at present ?—No reply has been received from either communication up to the present time. 333. These officers are entirely under your control ? —They are to a certain extent. 334. Who appoints them ? —They are appointed from the Colonial Secretary's Office by recommendation or otherwise. 335. You do not select them ?—I do not; but the appointments generally come through my hands. 336. Are the names submitted to you for your approval or recommendation ? —Not in every instance. For the last five months of last year I was scarcely in Wellington at all, and I knew little of what was going on. I had to undertake the work of cleaning the scab out of the Nelson and Marlborough Districts, and that took me pretty w T ell five months, doing nothing else. 337. Then, in the case of these men about whom reports have been sent to you, those reports are sent on afterwards to the department—they do not rest with you?— No. 337 a. And you do not really deal with these officers?— No. 338. You have not the control over the officers ?—I have not the appointment of them. 339. Let me understand you. In the case of a complaint you are not at liberty to suspend or dismiss them on your own authority?—l might suspend them —but no further—if I saw any grave reason for it. 340. You get regular monthly reports from each Inspector ?—Yes. 341. They send you their diaries?— Yes. They are now received in the office only once in three months. There was an alteration made last year at my suggestion, in order to allow me to get at liberty to look at the scab in Nelson. 342. Just state whether you have had any complaints from these Inspectors of landholders not complying readily with the demands for cleaning?—l have received none. 343. You think that the landholders are doing their best ?—Well, it is a very hard question for me to answer distinctly directly. There are some, I believe, who do not; I believe there are others who are doing their very utmost. 344. Is it alike all over the country or in particular districts that you find a want of readiness ? —It is in particular districts, on rough borders. 345. You mean down south?— Particularly down south. 346. Would those be holders of Government lands ?—Practically so. 347. With unoccupied lands, probably, on their borders ?—Yes; and in some cases even further inland, where there are simply summer runs.