H.—29a

1924. NEW ZEALAND.

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR 1923-24.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

KEPOKT. The Hon. Minister of Agriculture. Sir,— 30th June, 1924. I beg to submit the following report of the work of the Board of Agriculture for the year ended 30th April last. It is with deep regret that I have to record the death in October last of Mr. J. A. Haycock, representative on the Board of the Marlborough, Nelson, and Westland district. Mr. W. D. Pike, Blenheim, was appointed to fill the consequential vacancy. I should also like to take this opportunity of placing on record the Board's thanks to Dr. Eeakes, Director-General of Agriculture, and other officers of the Department for the information and advice they have given to the Board from time to time when matters of a technical character have been under review. Registration of Veterinarians. In May, 1923, the Board discussed with the Director-General of Agriculture the question of the introduction of legislation for the registration of veterinary surgeons, and carried a resolution approving of the principle of such legislation. At a subsequent meeting a draft Bill was submitted for consideration, and met with the Board's approval. Inspection op Farm Machinery. A communication was received from the Secretary of the Marine and Inspection of Machinery Department stating that provision had been made in the Inspection of Machinery Amendment Bill for the exemption from the provisions of the principal Act of any machinery, the motive power of which does not exceed 6 horse-power, used on any land by the occupier thereof for agricultural, pastoral, horticultural, viticultural, or dairying purposes. We replied to this letter to the effect that in our opinion the inspection of such machinery was a waste of money, and that we thought the Government might go even further than was proposed, and exempt all oil-engines under 6 horse-power, irrespective of the purpose for which they were used. Inspection and Registration op Stallions. This matter again came before the Board for consideration. A copy of the Bill which was prepared in 1913 was sent to the secretary of the Clydesdale Horso Society for the purpose of obtaining the present views of the society on the subject, and the reply received intimated that the society was strongly in favour of the proposed measure. Our views coincided with those of the Clydesdale Society, and a resolution was passed strongly urging upon the Government the desirability of having the measure placed upon the statute-book this year. You will remember that we communicated with you to that effect.

I—H. 29a.