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This industry is still in a more or less struggling condition, having had rather a trying time with high-priced food-stufis, but has bravely managed to weather the storm. It has now arrived at that point where without some help it is in danger of getting into a position from which it will be unable to extricate itself. The production of eggs as a side-line has helped many farmers' wives to stand up against the hard times of the past few years. The following remarks are extracted from the report of the Chief Poultry Instructor (Mr. F. C. Brown) : — The past year was not a highly profitable one to the average poultry-keeper. Heavy supplies of eggs reached the markets during the spring and summer months, resulting in prices not being sufficiently remunerative to show the desired margin of profit over cost of production, but from this remark it is not to be inferred that the limit of production has been reached. The low prices which ruled were chiefly due to want of organization amongst producers. Had proper organization existed it would have allowed sufficient of the surplus eggs to be exported to balance the position. The Local Market. —During recent years some improvement has taken place in the quality of eggs marketed in the Dominion. There is, however, a decided need for further reforms in this direction. The worst feature oonnected with the local egg trade is that too often the quality of the eggs marketed cannot be depended upon. The average consumption of eggs is not likely to increase unless the quality is generally improved, as obviously the better the quality the greater the demand. Export. —During September and October of last year 5,264 cases of eggs containing 30 dozen each were shipped to London. The eggs arrived in exoellent condition and gave entire satisfaction to those who purchased them. Complimentary reports to this i e been received by the Department, and it is satisfactory to note that notwithstanding the depressed state of the London market some shippers have reported that the returns for eggs exported by them gave the producer at least a price equal to that obtainable on the local market in the respective centres when the eggs exported were being packed for shipment. During the year a small consignment of egg-pulp was sent to the London market. This opened up in splendid order, but unfortunately the account sales go to show that there is little prospect of exporting our surplus eggs at remunerative prices in the form of pulp. Wallaceville Poultry Station. —This establishment continues to carry out good work for the advancement of the industry. Its chief functions are to demonstrate up-to-date methods in the management of poultry, to supply sittings of eggs, day-old chicks, and birds for breeding from tested stock at moderate prices ; also to conduct experiments by way of investigating problems connected with the various branches of poultry work which are beyond the average poultry producer to carry out. The knowledge thus gained is in turn diseminated for the benefit of producers and the industry generally by means of lectures and printed matter. Wool. The position of the wool market showed practically no improvement on the previous year's average returns, but it appeared that bottom had been reached, and any movement of price was of an upward tendency. This became more marked towards the end of the season, when a decided improved tone became manifest. In so far as the necessity for economy permitted, the Department's services have continued to be directed towards bringing about improvement in wool generally and in the manner of its get-up. Advice has been given by lectures, demonstrations, publications, correspondence, and by examination of wool fibres, and there is a desire shown to improve the quality of wool by paying more attention to the selection of the ram. A considerable quantity of wool which has been held in store from previous years has now been disposed of, and by the beginning of next season's sales there should not be a great quantity of past seasons' wool in store. The number of bales of wool offered for sale up to the 31st March was 633,988, as compared with 575,680 for the previous year. The following are extracts from the report of the Wool Instructor : — The wool this year was well grown, most of it being suitable for combing purposes and giving a l"mx 1 oleao 3 ield. During the year we carried out a practical test on a branding fluid manufactured by the British Wo Association, called the " Improved Economic Sheep Branding Fluid." Two prominent sheep-farmers 1 and 50 sheep respectively at our disposal for testing this, and 86 sheep at W branded, making a total of 236. The sheep were branded and pliotos taken the same day, and when the sheni round I again visited each of the above places and took photos of these branded 1 carrying their fsil! fleece. Unfortuna the result was not entirely satisfactory. A report on the tests, together with samples from the branded portion of the fleeces, was forwarded to the High Commissioner, London, for the information of the Association. Microscopic examination of rams' wool: A fair amount of this work has been done, and reports 1' < been sent to the farmers concerned as a guide to them in avoiding the use of faulty rams in their ewe flocks. Rabbit Nuisance. In general, rabbits are under a fair measure of control, particularly in Rabbit Board areas, but in many districts an increase causing some concern is noticeable. This increase, where it exists, is attributable to several causes —namely, the mild weather experienced during the early breeding season, the low prices then offering for skins, and the fact that many landowners for financial reasons were not in a position to purchase materials for control. Very few localities have got into a really bad rabbit-infested state, but when such places came under notice stern measures were taken. A considerable number of farmers availed themselves of the Unemployment Board's scheme for utilizing unemployed labour for rabbit suppression. A good many men were put on to this work, and it was undoubtedly of great assistance not only to the unemployed, but to landowners as well. Where experienced rabbiters were available and the owners exercised adequate supervision the scheme was quite successful, but where inexperienced men had to be employed and the supervision was in any way lax the results were not so satisfactory. On the whole, however, good results have been achieved. Inspectors are fully alive to the seriousness of the position, and are making every endeavour to get settlers to take simultaneous action in combating the p>

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