EEPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE VEGE- 

 TATION DISEASES ACT 1896. 



Objects tor which the Act was framed and passed 

 BY Parliament. 



The Vegetation Diseases Act which came into force on 

 2nd March, 1896, was passed at the instigation and in 

 the interests of the fruit-growers of the colony with the 

 object priucij)ally of advising orchardists, nurserymen, 

 and others as to the best and most economical methods 

 of keeping their places free from insect and fungous 

 diseases ; also to enable them to place their produce on 

 the market in the best condition possible. It was also 

 felt that whilst many persons exercised great care, and 

 went to much expense in keeping their places clean, 

 there were many who did not take this trouble, conse- 

 quently rendering the ettbrts of those people inoperative ; 

 in which case the Act enables the Department to take 

 action and compel these persons to keep their orchards, 

 &c., free from disease. 



Appointment of a Central Board of Advice. 



The Governor in Council, under section 13, sub-section 

 (e) of the Act, appointed a Central Board of Advice on 

 the 15th May, 1896, consisting of Messrs. J. Harris, 

 M.L.A. (Chairman), the Hon. W. Anderson, G. Neilson, 

 C. French (Government Entomologist), and D. McAlpine 

 (Government Pathologist). Regulations under the Act 

 were framed by this Board and approved of by the 

 Governor in Council. The first meeting of the Board 

 was held on 14th May, 1896, and meetings have been 



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