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Again, imprisonment should be an alternative penalty for removing live rabbits from one locality to another, and rewards should be offered for information that will insure conviction for such offence. The Committee are of opinion that " The Eabbit Nuisance Act, 1886," should be amended in the above directions. QuABANTINE-GBOUND. Your Committee recommend that the island of Motuhihi, situated in the Auckland harbour, and known as the quarantine island, should at once be declared a quarantine-ground for imported stock. Petitions ehfbrbed to the Committee. Your Committee further recommend that, in the case of the petitions of George Boss and James Doris, which the Committee have partly inquired into, the Government should cause full inquiry to be made into the matters referred to, by some person outside of the department. J. B. A. Acland, 12th September, 1889. Chairman.

MINUTES OF PBOCEED.INGS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

Wednesday, 10th July, 1889. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Campbell, Hon. Mr. Pharazyn, Hon. Mr. Eobinson, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Stevens, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. Lawry, Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. G. F. Eichardson, and Captain Eussell. The orders of reference were read. Resolved, That the Hon. Mr. Acland ba Chairman of the Joint Committee. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Campbell, Resolved, That a return be asked for as to the cost of rabbit-fences and huts for caretakers throughout the colony. Messrs. Lance, Buchanan, and Captain Eussell made suggestions as to documents, &c, which it was necessary the Committee should be supplied with. On motion of Mr. McKenzie, Resolved, That the Hon. the Chairman (Hon. Mr. Acland) and Mr. Lance be requested to draw up a list of documents, and that the Hon. the Chairman be authorised to write and ask that they may be furnished to the Committee. The Committee then adjourned.

Fbiday, 19th July, 1889. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present; Hon. Mr. Acland (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Campbell, Hon. Captain Morris, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Pharazyn, Hon. Mr. Eobinson, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Sir G. S. Whitmore, K.C.M.G., Mr. Anderson, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. Lawry, Mr. J. McKenzie, and Captain Bussell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. the Chairman laid on the table a letter from Mr. Walker, M.H.E., which was read and considered. Mr. Walker, M.H.E., attended and gave evidence. Mr. Shaw, from the Live-stock Department, attended and was examined. Resolved, That further consideration of this matter be postponed, and that Mr. Shaw do furnish the Committee with all the papers relating to this subject. Resolved, That Mr. Bichardson, Inspector of Sheep, should be called to give evidence before the •Committee. A discussion arose on the non-eradication of scab. On motion of Mr. Buchanan, Resolved, That the reports of proceedings of the Conference of Inspectors held in October, 1888, and April, 1889, be supplied to the members of the Committee; also, that copies of the report of the Joint Committee on Sheep and Babbits be supplied. On motion of Mr. Lawry, Resolved, That all papers relating to the payment of moneys to Maoris in the North Island for killing rabbits be laid before the Committee. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday next, 23rd July, at 11 a.m.