H.—29a

Sand-drift Areas. The question of the control of drifting sand has come before the Board on several occasions, and we are strongly of opinion that the vigorous continuation and extension of the work of the reclamation and planting of sand-dune areas should be a policy of the Government. The matter was discussed at length with Dr. Reakes, and the following resolution was finally passed : — " That a new Act or an amendment to existing legislation should be passed, empowering settlers to form " reclamation areas," with power to elect Boards to administer the same, and with power to levy rates on the land contained within the area under the Board's jurisdiction for the purpose of planting timber-trees and other plants necessary for the creation of forests on sand-drift areas." Cattle-tick. In connection with this important matter Dr. Reakes briefly detailed the results of the investigation, as far as it had progressed, being made by the Department into the life-history of the cattle-tick, and indicated that as soon as finality had been reached a public announcement on the subject would be made. (The report was published in the Journal of Agriculture for May, 1924.) With respect to the regulations for the; control of the tick, he intimated that it had been found impracticable to enforce clause 10 as regards the compulsory dipping of all tick-infected stock in area " A " at intervals of not less than twenty-one days during the period lst September to 31st March. It was therefore proposed to amend the regulations in the direction of throwing upon owners the responsibility of taking at all times steps to keep their stock free from ticks. The Director-General further indicated that the Department proposed to insist upon dipping where stock exhibited for sale in cattle-yards were found to be infested with tick. The amendments suggested by the Department were concurred in. Proposed Amendments to Existing Legislation. Proposals for the amendment of the following Acts in the direction indicated were considered and generally concurred in : — Stock Act. (1.) Mustering for the delivery of stray or suspected stock, and (2.) Branding, making the ear-mark the principal element in the brand. Noxious Weeds Act. (1.) Amending section 2 by omitting from the definition of the term " clear " the words " any part thereof flowering," and substituting therefor the words " the spread thereof by seeding or otherwise." (2.) Empowering a local authority to declare that any plants mentioned in the Second Schedule of the principal Act, except blackberry, should be deemed not to be noxious weeds, and to amend or revoke a declaration in respect of noxious weeds at any time. (3.) Occupier required to trim hedges or live fences consisting of barberry, sweetbriar, gorse, broom, or hakea (whether the same are noxious weeds or not). (4.) Occupiers of land on which blackberry is growing, otherwise than in small, patches, to clear so much thereof as may be required by the Inspector. (5.) Occupiers of land on which barberry, sweetbriar, gorse, broom, or hakea are growing shall, in districts in which such plants are noxious weeds, clear so much as may be required by the Inspector. (6.) Granting right of appeal to occupier on ground that the requirements of the Inspector are unreasonable. (7.) Special measures for the control of noxious weeds may bo agreed upon between Inspector and occupier. (8.) Empowering local authorities to assume control of the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act in their territory. Rabbit Nuisance Act. (1.) Enabling Boards to be established on cither " rateable value " or " acreage rating " basis. (2.) Elections of trustees to be held on same day as county elections. The Cull Cow and Scrub Bull. In connection with the cull cow, this matter is still exercising the attention of the Board, which learned with interest that the Department has allocated a special brand for cull dairy cows, and this is being given a trial on a purely voluntary basis in the Moninsville and Helensville districts. It is too soon yet to make any report as to the use that has been made of the arrangement, but it is hoped that the scheme will prove successful, and that its application may be extended to embrace the whole of the Dominion. The scrub-bull question is also receiving consideration, with a view to determining what is the best course of action to adopt to secure the elimination of these inferior animals. It is really difficult to understand why producers continue to penalize themselves by using inferior bulls and cows, and, although the Board does not yet recommend the application of coercive measures, such action may be found necessary if the educational work which is being performed does not bring about the desired improvement. However, a most welcome sign is the development which has taken place in herd-testing work.

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