H.—2l

38

(2.) That the rabbit-pest has made the continuance of the system of annual leases of Crown lands impossible. (3.) That no finality in rabbit-destruction will be obtained without making the erection of rabbit-proof fences compulsory. (4.) That the department administering the Rabbit Destruction Acts should be empowered to permit the fencing of holdings in groups. That in dealing with land of very poor carrying-capacity the State should show special consideration to the lessees in respect of tenure. (5.) That in all infested country simultaneous operations for the destruction of rabbits should be made compulsory. (6.) That netting 42in. wide (3ft. above and 6in. in the ground), with a mesh of ljin., forms a practically efficient barrier against the incursions of rabbits. (7.) That the system of trapping with professional trappers, and of State bonuses, is radically bad. (8.) That legislative measures should be taken compelling landowners or lessses in districts infested by rabbits to join, subject to the above provisions, in payment of the cost of rabbit-proof-netting fences, or of the addition of such netting to existing fences. 46. That the Conference, taking into consideration the importance of the subjects that have come before them for discussion and decision, are of opinion that an Australasian Stock Conference should continue to be held triennially at the chief city of one of the colonies, and they respectfully offer this recommendation to the several Governments. 47. That the Conference desire to call the attention of the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations of the several colonies to the desirability of intercolonial conferences being held periodically in one of the chief cities of each colony, to discuss matters of general interest to agriculturists and stockowners as a class, each colony to send, say, three delegates, as may be agreed upon. 48. That, in view of the fact that no scab has been found to exist in sheep in New Zealand since.the 30th June, 1890, and that during this period a regular and proper system of inspection has been carried on, this Conference recommends the different Australasian Governments to remove the restrictions at present in force against the importion of New Zealand sheep if after next shearing the flocks in the last-infected districts are on inspection found free from scab. The Conference also recommends that in such case the restrictions on intercolonial steamers be removed. 49. That, as no disease exists in cattle in New Zealand, the Tasmanian Government be requested to allow New Zealand cattle to enter their colony without imposing any period of quarantine. 50. That, in the opinion of this Conference, the proclamation of private premises as quarantine grounds for imported stock constitutes a grave public danger, by virtually abolishing all safeguards against the introduction of disease. 51. That this Conference respectfully recommends the various Australasian Governments to make inquiries through their Agents-General as to the most suitable months in the year in which to ship cattle from the United Kingdom to the colonies, so as to prevent the introduction of so serious a pest as the gad-fly (GUstnis bovis) ; and that warbles (CEstrus bovis, or gad-fly) should be included among the diseases to be dealt with by the several Australasian Governments. 52. That, in the opinion of this Conference, it is desirable that the various Governments of Australasia should take such steps as wdll foster and further develop the dairy industries which are or may be established in the several colonies under their charge. 53. That it is desirable a uniform code of regulations, embodying the resolutions passed by this Conference, be adopted by all the colonies. That such code do come into force on or after the Ist January, 1893. 54. That a copy of the proceedings of the Conference be forwarded to the Governments of Victoria, South Australia, and. Western Australia, and that they be respectfully asked to adopt and act upon the resolutions agreed to. 31st October, 1892. John Hall, Chairman of Conference.

APPENDIX IV. List of Publications of the Depaetment issued Dueing the Yeae. 1. List of Dairy Factories in Correspondence with the Department. Bvo, 8 pages. 2. Spraying Fruit Trees, &c. By L. Hanlon. Bvo, 16 pages. 3. First Report of the Pomologist. By L. Hanlon. Bvo, 14 pages. 4. The Dairy Industry : Beport by J. Sawers, with Appendices. Bvo, 28 pages. 5. Cheese- and Butter-Factories and Creameries : their Construction, Equipment and Management. By J- Sawers. Bvo, 16 pages. 6. Plans and Specifications : Large and Small Cheese-Factories; Large and Small ButterFactories ; Cheese-Vat. 7. Illustrated Leaflets for Farmers. By T. W. Kirk : 1. Hessian Fly. 2. Bathurst Burr. 3. Horse Bot-fly.