I.—ll

8

As to poisoning and the natural enemy, the evidence taken before the Committee goes conclusively in the same direction. Ferrets and stoats and weasels are allowed by all to be the cheapest and the most self-acting mode of dealing with rabbits. Your Committee, therefore, are at a loss to conceive on what grounds the Government has decided to discontinue the purchase of ferrets bred in the colony, and also to cease the importation of stoats and weasels. Your Committee believe that this course will prove a great national calamity, and they strongly urge the Government to reconsider the matter, and beg them to encourage the breeding of ferrets in every possible manner, as well as to continue the importation of stoats and weasels in large and continuous numbers. As distemper at times carries off large numbers of ferrets, it is very important that efforts should be made to ascertain whether inoculation could not be resorted to with good effect. The Committee further recommend that private individuals and associations should receive the same concession as that now extended to Rabbit Boards, namely, £1 for £1 as subsidy on Hhe amount raised by them for importing the natural enemy. It being almost impossible to carry out concurrently, with advantage, the use of the natural enemy and the employment of men' with packs of dogs and traps, such means should be discouraged as much as possible wherever the natural enemy has been fairly established. Fencing has been tried in North and South Canterbury and in Hawke's Bay, so far, with unqualified success. The evidence takeii before the Committee is of a very contradictory character, and proves conclusively that no hard-and-fast rule can be laid down for the destruction of rabbits. The methods used must vary with the varying conditions ; but, in order that these conditions should be understood by those intrusted with the carrying out of the Act, the Committee think it very important that the officers should be removed as little as possible from one district to another. Where Rabbit Boards exist the "powers and duties of Inspectors ought to be defined. In these cases the District Inspector ought to have a seat ex officio on the Board, but not to be chairman. 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 Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1886," should be amended in the above directions. Branding Sheep. Your Committee are of opinion that the ear-mark of sheep made with authorised nippers or pliers only should be a primd facie proof of ownership; that tattoo-marking on any part of the sheep should be a legal mark; and that a wool-brand should not be compulsory. The Committee would also strongly urge that no sheep should be allowed to travel on the public roads without some easily visible wool-brand or mark. QUARANTINE-GROUND. Besolved, That, in the opinion of this Committee the island of Motuhihi, situated in the Auckland harbour, known as the quarantine island, should at once be declared a quarantine-ground for imported stock. Mr. McKenzie moved, as an amendment, That this Committee is of opinion, from the evidence before them—(l) That the administration of the Stock Department is still very unsatisfactory ; (2) that the changes made during the last year have not been beneficial in stamping scab out of the country or in putting down the rabbit-pest. Your Committee therefore recommend that a Commission should be appointed during the recess to inquire into the whole working of the department, with power to visit districts and take evidence ; such Commission to report to the Minister what recommendations, if any, they may think necessary to make relating to the administration of the department, and alterations in the laws affecting the same. Besolved, That consideration of this report be postponed. Mr. Anderson moved, That consideration of his resolution re appointment of Mr. Clifton to be Chief Inspector of Sheep in the Wellington District be postponed. Agreed to. The petition of Doris was read and considered. Mr. Lance moved, That this petition be referred to the Live-stock Department for their remarks, and that the original diary for June, 1888, be sent for. Motion agreed to. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 10th September, 1889. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. Acland (Chairman), Hon. Mr, Miller, Hon. Mr. Pharazyn, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Wigley, Mr. Buchanan, Mr, Dodson, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. Lawry, Mr. J. McKenzie, HcSa. Mr. G. F. Richardson, and Captain Russell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Petition of Doris considered. Mr. Clifton, Chief Inspector of Sheep, Wellington, was in attendance and was examined, and, being thanked, withdrew.