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EEPOET OP AU STEAL ASIAN STOCK CONFEEENCE. Confebence of Chief Inspectoes of Stock, Veteeinaey Suegeons, and Stock Bebedees of the Australasian Colonies, held in Sydney in September and October, 1886. The Conference commenced its sittings on the 27th of September, and concluded its labours on the Bth of October. It was called together by the Hon. the Minister for Mines, with the view of assimilating the regulations in force in the colonies for the prevention of diseases in stock. The following representatives were present:—New South Wales : Messrs. A. Bruce, Chief Inspector of Stock; E. G. Higgins, stock-breeder; E. Stanley, F.8,;C.V.5., Government Veterinarian. Victoria: Mr. E. M. Curr, Chief Inspector of Stock. Queensland: Mr. P. E. Gordon, Chief Inspector of Stock; Hon. H. C. Wood, M.L.C., stock-breeder. Tasmania: Mr. T. A. Tabart, Chief Inspector of Stock; Mr. A. Park, M.E.C.V.S., Government Veterinarian; Mr. J. Meredith, stock-breeder. New Zealand: Hon. W. S. Peter, M.L.C., Mr. J. D. Lance, M.H.E., Mr. J. Mcßenzie, M.H.E., stock-breeders; Mr. G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary, Wellington. South Australia : Mr. C. J. Valentine, Chief Inspector of Sheep ; Mr. J. Bagot, M.P., stockbreeder. The following is a copy of the circular letter, dated the 30th July, by which the Conference was called together : — " Sm, — " Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 30th July, 1886. " Eeferring to my letter of the Bth February last, in which attention was invited to the desirability of assimilating the regulations in force in all the colonies relating to sea-borne sheep, I have now the honour, at the instance of my colleague the Secretary for Mines, to enclose, for the consideration of your Government, a copy of a minute by the Chief Inspector of Stock for this colony, with reference to the holding of a Conference in Sydney for the purpose above-mentioned, and to suggest that each colony be represented at such Conference by its Chief Inspector of Stock and two gentlemen connected with stock-breeding." The Conference was opened by the Minister of Mines, who pointed out the vast interests with which.the Conference were about to deal. He said that the value of horses, cattle, and sheep in the colonies was estimated at £78,994,871, and the income therefrom £33,669,973. Taking the capital value of land, with improvements and plant, and the capital value of stock, the total was £359,0C2,000. The Minister, having declared the meeting opened, withdrew, and Mr. A. Bruce was appointed Chairman. Eesolutions on the following subjects were agreed to : (1.) Treatment of the different diseases in animals. (2.) Eegulations relating to the introduction of Australian animals—(l) by sea, (2) by land. (3.) Regulations with respect to the introduction of foreign animals— i.e., animals from places outside the Australasian Colonies. (4.) The collection and publication of information with respect to diseases in animals. (5.) Eegulations in regard to the travelling, movement, or conveyance of animals. (6.) The destruction of noxious animals. (7.) The destruction of weeds and noxious plants. (8.) The branding and marking of animals. (9.) Any other subject which may be suggested and agreed to by the members of the Conference connected with the object for which it is convened. The resolutions passed by the Conference will be found appended to this report. Its proceedings will shortly be printed, together with a report, taken by a shorthand writer, of all that took place on each sitting-day; and copies of the proceedings and report will be forwarded to the representatives of the several colonies, with the view to their being submitted to their respective Governments. Alex. Beuce, Chairman.

Eesolutions passed by the Confebence. 1. Preliminary. 1. That each colony have three votes. 2. That the following be the order of business : (1.) The consideration of regulations with respect to diseases. (2.) Eegulations relating to the introduction of Australian animals—(l) by sea, (2) by land. (3.) Eegulations with respect to the introduction of foreign animals. (4.) The collection and publication of information with respect to diseases in animals. (5.) Eegulations in regard to the travelling, movement, or conveyance of animals. (6.) The destruction of noxious animals. (7.) The destruction of weeds and noxious plants. (8.) The branding and marking of animals. (9.) Any other subject which may be suggested and agreed to by the members of the Confei*ence connected with the object for which it is convened. 3. That the term " Australasian Colonies " comprise the colonies on the continent of Australia, also Tasmania and New Zealand ; and that the term " foreign " shall be held to include all other parts of the world. 2. Diseases in Animals. 4. That legislative power be taken to compel the destruction of all animals which have died of or are suffering from anthrax, and that all other animals which have been in contact with the diseased animals be, where practicable, placed in proper quarantine until certified free from disease. 5. That the travelling, selling, or offering for sale or slaughtering for food of any animals affected with the disease known as tuberculosis, or the using of cows affected with tuberculosis for dairy purposes, be punishable by law.