12

H.—39

Extract from letter, dated the 9th July, 1891. At a well attended meeting of the Winton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held the 4th July, it was resolved, "This meeting think it desirable to ask the Government, through you, to have veterinary surgeons appointed to inspect all entire horses travelling, to prevent unsound and diseased-horses from serving mares." A. Liddell, Secretary, Winton Agricultural and Pastoral Association

Dear Sir,— Thornbury, 19th May, 1891. At a meeting of the general committee of the Western District Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held on the 18th instant, I was instructed to inform you that your circular, re the licensing of stallions, was considered, and that this association express its opinion that it is unwise for the Government to take action in the matter. I have, &c, B. Hancock, Secretary, Western District Agricultural and Pastoral Association. J. D. Eitchie, Esq., Chief Inspector of Stock, Wellington.

Sir, — Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Invercargil, 18th May, 1891. I have the honour to acknowledge your circular of the 11th ultimo, re imposing a yearly tax on stallions. This letter was considered at the yearly meeting of this association held on the 16th instant, when the proposal did not meet with any support, and was regarded as an unnecessary interference with the principles of freetrade. But, at the same time, it was resolved to recommend the Government to grant bonuses in each provincial district for the best draught and thoroughbred stock, such bonuses to be awarded by the various agricultural and pastoral societies in such districts. I am, &c, The Chief Inspector of Stock, Wellington. Eobbet Cuthbertson, Secretary.

No. 3. (Circular Memorandum). Head Office, Live-stock Department, Wellington, 26th May, 1891. I have the honour, by direction of the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture, to forward herewith copy of a communication received from the Oceanic Steamship Company, of San Francisco, drawing attention to the regulation anent the importation into the United States of live-stock from New Zealand and the Australian Colonies. I should esteem it a favour if you would lay this before your society for an expression of its opinion and suggestions thereon. The Secretary, . John D. Eitohie, Chief Inspector of Stock.

Enclosures. Dear Sir, — Oceanic Steamship Company, San Francisco, 3rd April, 1891. We enclose herewith some regulations in regard to the entry into the United States free of duty of animals specially imported for breeding purposes. We sent you similar regulations on this subject some time ago, but, as there seems to be a misunderstanding of the law by shippers, we have prepared this information for your guidance from instructions issued by the Government in as concise form as possible. From information obtained here we learn there is no stud-book or herd-book kept in New Zealand or Australia. There is an Australian stud-book printed by Mr. Yuille, of Melbourne, but it is not official as far as we can learn. Dr. Eoss arrived from New Zealand per last steamer, bringing two thoroughbred mares, and, after considerable delay and trouble, he succeeded in having the mares admitted free of duty, but he will have to obtain a certificate of pedigree, &c, to cancel certain bonds given for their conditional free entry. He suggests that a stud-book and herd-book be immediately established in New Zealand and Australia, and thinks the most appropriate keeper of such books of record would be the secretary of the agricultural and pastoral association, who could issue the necessary certificates under seal, charging a small fee for the same. As Dr. Eoss has had practical experience in importing animals under the new law, his suggestion seems to be a good one. The late tariff law was framed by legislators living in the eastern section of this country, and they have avidently made the law to conform to records kept in England and other European countries, without any modifying provisions for other countries, and, in order to comply with the law as strictly as possible, a stud-book and herd-book should be established and a keeper appointed without delay. Copies of the regulations enclosed will be forwarded to Australia by other parties interested, and we hope you will give publicity to these rules, that all concerned may be properly informed. In the case of certain animals claimed by the importers to be pure bred imported from Canada, the Secretary of the Treasury, on the 31st January, 1891, ruled that duties must be collected, unless the importer could produce a ..certificate of registry from a book of record. As the importer could not produce the required certificate, because no book of record for that breed was kept, and as the fact that such book of record was not kept, could not abrogate the provisions in the statute, the Secretary refused to order a refund of the duties.