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1890. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON LIVE-STOCK AND RABBITS (REPORTS OF THE). (HON. G. RANDALL JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the Legislative Council. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, to consist of ten members, to consider all matters pertaining to live-stock and rabbits; with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the House of Representatives, and to agree to a joint or separate report: the Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Acland, the Hon. Mr. Miller, the Hon. Mr. Johnson, the Hon. Captain Morris, the Hon. Mr. Peter, the Hon. Mr. Pharazyn, the Hon. Mr. Walker, the Hon. Sir G. S. Whitmore, the Hon. Mr. Wigley, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Stevens.) Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Resolved, " That Standing Order No. 178 be suspended, in order that a Select Committee, consisting of ten members, may be appointed to consider all matters pertaining to live-stock and to rabbits ; with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report'; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records ; three to be a quorum: members to be—the Hon. Sir. J. Hall, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. Lawry, Mr. J. McKenzie, the Hon. Captain Russell, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. G. F. Richabdson.)

The Sheep Bill. The Committee, to which was referred the Sheep Bill, 1890, have the honour to report that they have considered the various provisions of the Bill, and that, subject to_ the alterations and amendments shown upon the copy of the Bill attached hereto, they are of opinion the Bill should be allowed to proceed. 30th July, 1890.

No. 131. —Petition of William Osborne. The petitioner states that he was charged with and convicted of being the owner of a sheep infected with lice in the public sale-yards at Masterton, whereas the said sheep did not belong to him and had only become mixed with his sheep by accident. I am directed by the Joint Live-stock and Rabbits Committee to report that your Committee has examined the petitioner and Inspector Drummond, and has obtained from Colonel Roberts, Resident Magistrate, a report upon the statements made in the petition, and the case heard and decided by him. Prom the evidence thus obtained it appears that a sheep infected with lice was found, as stated, amongst the petitioner's sheep, but the ownership of it was from the first denied by the petitioner, who, however, was unable to say how or when it became mixed with his flock, and failed to produce satisfactory evidence in proof of the assertion that the sheep did not belong to him, although at a later date such evidence was forthcoming. Your Committee is of opinion that the requirements of the case would have been fully met by an order to dip the sheep, and recommends that the sum of £1 125., the amount of fine and costs paid by petitioner, and £1 additional expenses, be recouped to him. 20th August, 1890.

The Rabbit Nuisance Bill. The Committee, to which was referred the Rabbit Nuisance Bill, 1890, has the honour to report that it has considered the various provisions of the Bill, and that, subject to the alterations and amendments shown upon the copy of the Bill attached hereto, it is of opinion that the Bill should be allowed to proceed. 21st August, 1890.