101 
recommended that the Board take action to prevent the im- 
portation of banana plants of the Bluefield variety. 
As we have already this banana here in the Islands, Mr. 
Ehrhorn showed, by a copy of the minutes of 1903, what ac- 
tion was taken at that time when some 500 plants had been 
imported. The Board then instructed Mr. Ehrhorn to draw 
up the requisite rule and regulation which he deemed neces- 
sary for the protection of the banana industry and that he 
submit the same to the Board at its next meeting. 
THIMBLE BEEEY. 
Mr. Ehrhorn reported that since Mr. Alfred Carter's re- 
turn he had had an interview with him in regard to the 
thimble berry, which has cost such a great amount of money 
in the effort of eradicating on the Parker Ranch, and that Mr. 
Carter had expressed his gratitude to the Department for its 
efforts to find some means for the eradication of the pest. Mr. 
Ehrhorn stated that he was continuing his investigations 
along the same line as mentioned in a previous report and that 
he had great hopes soon to be able to introduce the disease 
into areas that are still in a healthy condition. 
IMPOETATION OF BENEFICIAL BIEDS. 
The Superintendent of Entomology being a committee ap- 
pointecl at the last meeting to look into the matter of import- 
ing insectivorous birds, submitted a letter from Prof. Hen- 
shaw. Chief of the Biological Survey, giving his opinion in 
regard to the possibility of introducing certain birds into the 
Hawaiian Islands. This lengthy report created quite an in- 
terest, and an enthusiastic discussion followed, whereupon 
Mr. Isenberg personally thanked Mr. Ehrhorn for the able 
report w^hich he had succeeded in obtaining regarding the im- 
portation of birds. 
CEOWDING AT STEAMEE GANGWAYS. 
The Superintendent of Entomology then drew attention to 
the overcrowding at the gangways on the arrival of steamers 
and asked if not some steps could be taken by the Board to 
prevent this, as it was next to impossible to thoroughly in- 
spect each passenger's baggage as he stepped off the gang- 
way. The members agreed that they had experienced the 
same inconveniences in trying to get off and on the vessels, 
and they heartily endorsed Mr. Ehrhorn's plea, and agreed 
that the exclusion idea is a correct one. 
Mr. Campbell said he was very glad the matter had been 
brought up, as he had been placed in rather a peculiar posi- 
