JL • _l La-

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

LIVE-STOCK AND RABBITS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE).

Brought up 28th September and 7th October, 1892, and ordered to be printed.

INTEBIM BEPOBT. Your Committee have the honour to report the resolutions of this Committee on the resolutions of the Agricultural Conference held at Christchureh on the 26th and 27th May, 1892, a copy of which is attached hereto. 28th September, 1892. F. Lawey, Chairman.

Monday, Bth August, 1892. Besolutions of the Committee on the resolutions of the Agricultural Conference held at Christchurch on the 26th and 27th May, 1892 :— Resolved, on the motion of Mr. T. Mackenzie, — No. 1. Passes for Judges attending Shows. —That the Government should approach theßailway Commissioners, the Union and other steamship companies, with a view to securing railway passes and passages at single rates to the judges attending agricultural shows. No. 2. Agricultural Department. — Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir J. Hall, That it is desirable that the Agricultural Department should be thoroughly equipped as soon as practicable, and that a Journal should be issued periodically, containing matter of interest on the subject of New Zealand agriculture. No. 3. Entomologist. — Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir J. Hall, That it is desirable that steps should be taken in the direction indicated in the memorandum of the Christchurch Conference on the subject of an entomologist, either in conjunction with the adjoining colonies or separately, as may be found desirable. No. 6. Agricultural Teaching in State Schools. — Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir J. Hall, That the introduction of elementary agricultural teaching into the State schools, especially in country districts, is a matter of the highest importance, and deserves the earnest consideration of the Government. No. 7. Scholarships. — Besolved, on the motion of Mr. T. Mackenzie, That the Education Department be requested to communicate this resolution to the various Education Boards of the colony. No. 8. Adulteration of Manures. No. 9. Noxious Weeds. No. 10. Sheep-tax collected. No. 11. Abolition of Sheep-tax. —-The Hon. the Minister informed the Committee that these subjects had been dealt with by the Government. No. 13. Quarantine Charges. —The Minister explained what the department proposed to doin the matter. The Committee expressed its pleasure that it is proposed to establish a new scaleof charges in the matter of quarantine. No. 17. Irrigation. — Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir J. Hall, That the obtaining of expert advice on the subject of irrigation is exceedingly desirable, and that the matter be referred to the Government for consideration. No. 18. Insecure Packing of Arsenic. — Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir J. Hall, That the matter be referred to the Government for their consideration, and that the suggestion contained in the resolution be communicated to the Bailway Commissioners. No. 20. Proposed Intercolonial Stock Conference. — Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Mackintosh That the question be referred to the Government for consideration.

BEPOBT. Youh Committee have the honour to report that as many important matters as possible have been considered, affecting the agricultural and pastoral interests of the country, although it is to be deeply re retted that the press of other committee-work rendered it impossible for the members of your Committee to devote the care and attention to the subjects submitted that their importance demanded; and, in this connection, your Committee strongly recommend the Government to set up a Committee next session whose duties shall, as far as practicable, be confined to matters pertaining to agricultural and pastoral pursuits.