11

H.—29a

Championship Show. The question of organizing a Royal Championship Show, to be held alternately in the North and South Islands, so that visitors in search of stud stock would be able to see the best of the New Zealand breeds, which had been referred to the Board by the Council of Agriculture, was fully discussed. After consideration, you were advised that it had been agreed — " That the Board of Agriculture recommends that, in order to establish an annual championship show, — " (1.) The Government be asked to give £1,000 for the champion prizes, the following to bo the qualifications of any association desiring to hold a champion show : (a) The minimum prize-money offered for the previous two years shall have been at least £1,000 a year ; (b) the minimum prize-money offered at the champion show to be at least £2,000 ; (c) membership to be not less than 1,200 members ; and (d) the association applying must satisfy tho committee appointed for the purpose that the showgrounds and buildings are fully adequate for the requirements of a champion show. " (2.) The champion show to be held alternately in the North and South Islands. " (3.) A ballot to be taken between the North and South Islands for the first show. " (4.) A ballot to be taken between eligible societies in either Island for the first show. " (5.) A sub-committee, consisting of Sir J. G. Wilson, Mr. W. Perry (of the Board of Agriculture), and Dr. Reakes (or a responsible officer of the Department of Agriculture deputed for that duty by Dr. Reakes), to be set vp —(i) to receive in each year applications from societies desiring to hold the championship show, and to ascertain whether such societies are eligible for the purpose ; (ii) to arrange for the ballots mentioned in (3) and (4) ; and (iii) to draft a suitable schedule and prize-list in connection with the championship classes." We received your reply to our representations on the 30th April last, in which you stated that the proposal had been carefully considered by the Government, and that it had been decided, in view of existing circumstances, that it must stand over for a time. Nomination and Election of Members of Board of Agriculture. The Board made certain suggestions to you regarding the amendment of the regulations under the Board of Agriculture Act, 1913, for the nomination and election of members of the Board. These were discussed with Dr. Reakes, who promised to recommend that the alterations suggested be adopted by you. Testing for Soundness of Breeding-cattle offered for Sali-:. A proposal that the Government be recommended to take steps to have all breeding-cattle submitted for public sale tested for soundness was also carefully considered at the request of Dr. Reakes, when the Board expressed the opinion that it would be impossible to test for soundness all breedingcattle submitted for sale as recommended ; but that in the case of stud cattle, if any breeder desired to have his herd tested, the Department of Agriculture should make the necessary arrangements to do so. It was also thought that if there was any desire on the part of the various breed associations to make a rule, that in the case of sales by members of these societies a test for soundness should be made of the cattle so offered for sale, the Department should endeavour to meet their wishes in the matter if it were practicable. Nauru and Ocean Islands. We had a lengthy discussion with Dr. Reakes and Mr. Ellis (New Zealand Commissioner), on his return from London, with regard to both Nauru and Ocean Islands phosphates, when Dr. Reakes gave us particulars concerning the negotiations regarding the sale of Nauru and Ocean Islands and the arrangements that were being made by the Department of Agriculture to distribute the supplies of phosphates throughout New Zealand. Mr. Ellis also gave us much valuable information regarding the output at the islands, and the cost of landing phosphates in New Zealand. He also issued a warning note with regard to the low quality of some of the basic slag now being offered in England for shipment overseas. We suggested that the Department should reprint (in pamphlet form) the articles published in the Journal of Agriculture by Mr. Ellis, on Nauru phosphates. Importation of Birds for Acclimatization Purposes. Communications were received from the Department of Internal Affairs, through the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture, asking for the Board's opinion regarding requests from two acclimatization societies for permission to introduce some Indian partridges, Argentine partridges, and the Martinetto bird. The Board stated that the inquiries made supported tho claim that there was no objection to the importation of Indian partridges, and advised the Department accordingly. In connection with the proposal to introduce Argentine partridges and the Martinetto bird, it was thought necessary to make further inquiries, and it was decided to write to the Argentine for information before expressing an opinion. Miscellaneous. Amongst other matters dealt with were : Tin? advertising of New Zealand produce in Great Britain ; the giving of preference to the shipment of meat of 1920-21 season's killings ; the allotting of shipping-space for free meat after termination of the Imperial commandeer ; proposed amendment of Orchard and Garden Diseases Act; English control prices of imported meat; preference to farm