3282
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 106

General Regulations under “The Products Export Act, 1908,” regarding the Grading and Export of Hemp.—Notice No. 1263.

PLUNKET, Governor.

ORDER IN COUNCIL.

At the Government Buildings, at Wellington, this twenty-first day of December, 1908.

Present:

THE HONOURABLE J. CARROLL PRESIDING IN COUNCIL.

IN pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred upon him by “The Products Export Act, 1908” (hereinafter termed “the said Act”), His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, doth hereby revoke the Order in Council made under “The Products Export Act, 1903,” on the fifth day of August, nineteen hundred and seven, and published in the Gazette of the eighth day of August, nineteen hundred and seven, and the regulations thereby made, and doth in lieu thereof hereby make the following regulations, and doth also declare that such last-named regulations shall come into force and take effect on and after the fourth day of January, nineteen hundred and nine:—

REGULATIONS.

1. For the purpose of these regulations,—
   “Grade” when applied to stripper-slips means pass for export.
   “Grader” means any hemp-grader appointed under the said Act.
   “Hemp” means the dressed fibre of the plant Phormium tenax, but does not include tow or stripper-slips.
   “Mill” means any premises in which hemp, tow, or stripper-slips is baled for export.
   “Miller” means the occupier of a mill, and includes the occupier’s agent or manager, and also includes in the case of a company the managing director, manager, secretary, or other principal officer of the company in New Zealand.
   “Owner” means any owner, shipper, or consignor of hemp, tow, or stripper-slips, and includes the agent of any such owner, shipper, or consignor, and also includes in the case of a company the managing director, manager, secretary, or other principal officer of the company in New Zealand.
   “Stripper-slips” means the waste fibre produced during the process of stripping Phormium tenax.
   “Tow” means the waste fibre produced during the process of scutching Phormium tenax.

2. (1.) All hemp, tow, or stripper-slips for export shall be packed in bales approximately of the following dimensions and weight after leaving the press:—

(2.) No bale of hemp shall contain any hank exceeding 5 lb. in weight.
(3.) Each bale of hemp shall be securely bound with five bands neatly made of hemp or tow, and each bale of tow or stripper-slips with either four or five such bands.
(4.) If the bands are made of tow their total weight per bale shall not exceed 3 lb. for five bands, or in proportion.
(5.) The bands shall be an even distance apart, the outer ones being 5 in. from the ends of the bale.

3. (1.) Every miller shall cause to be placed in each bale of hemp, tow, or stripper-slips baled by him for export, before it leaves his mill, a piece of wire about 2 ft. long, with tags attached to the ends thereof, as indicated in diagram No. 1 of the First Schedule hereto, as follows:—
   (a.) In the middle of the bale a tin tag 4¼ in. long and 2¼ in. wide, and of the shape shown in diagram No. 2 in the said First Schedule; and
   (b.) Outside the bale a tag made of unstained skirting leather free from grease, 5 in. long by 2¼ in. wide, and of the shape shown in diagram No. 3 in the said First Schedule. The end of the wire after passing through the leather tag shall be tightly twisted round the main wire for a distance of at least 3 in. from the end of the leather in the manner indicated in diagram No. 3 in the said First Schedule.

(2.) The tags shall have clearly impressed into them, in letters ⅜ in. in height, the registered brand of the mill where the hemp, tow, or stripper-slips was baled, and a consecutive number, which shall be deemed the number of the bale. In the case of the leather tag the brand and number shall be impressed in black ink. The said numbers shall run consecutively to the 30th day of June inclusive in each year, but in no case shall the consecutive number exceed 999, unless an extension of the numbers beyond that limit is approved by the Chief Fibre Expert of the Department of Agriculture.
(3.) A space measuring 2½ in. by 1¼ in. shall be left on the right-hand bottom corner of the leather tag to enable the grader to affix the grade-mark in the position indicated in diagram No. 3 in the said First Schedule:
Provided that, where it is necessary for the purpose of transit from his mill, any miller may forward his hemp, tow, or stripper-slips to the appointed grading-store in packages of less dimensions or weight than prescribed in clause 2 hereof, and with the registered brand as provided for in clause 4 hereof attached in any suitable and conspicuous manner. Such packages shall, as soon as possible after arrival at the appointed grading-store, be repacked into bales in accordance with clause 2 hereof, and shall at the same time have wire and tags inserted in accordance with subclauses 1, 2, and 3 of this clause.

4. (1.) Every miller shall, in respect of each mill of which he is the occupier, apply to the said Chief Fibre Expert for registration of the brand or brands intended to be used by him in compliance with clause 3 of these regulations, and no miller shall use any such brand until he has been advised by the said Chief Fibre Expert that it has been registered. Every such application for registration shall be in or to the effect of the form numbered 1 set out in the Second Schedule hereto. Forms can be obtained free of charge from the said Chief Fibre Expert. No brand shall be registered which, in the opinion of the said Chief Fibre Expert, is likely to lead to mistakes or confusion.
   (2.) Brands which have been registered in accordance with the regulations made on the 5th day of August, 1907, shall be deemed to have been registered in accordance with these regulations.
   (3.) Any brand already registered for hemp, or to be registered in accordance with these regulations, may be used for hemp, tow, or stripper-slips.
   (4.) Any miller disposing of the mill in respect of which any brand has been registered as provided in this clause may, by writing addressed to the said Chief Fibre Expert, transfer his right to such brand to the person to whom he has disposed of the mill, and the said Chief Fibre Expert shall thereupon alter the register accordingly.
   (5.) No fee will be charged for the registration or transfer of millers’ brands.
   (6.) The said Chief Fibre Expert may at any time, after giving any miller one month’s notice in writing, cancel his brand if satisfied that it has not been used during the preceding three years.

5. The stores (herein called “appointed grading-stores”) occupied by the undermentioned companies or bodies at the respective ports indicated are hereby appointed the only stores in New Zealand for the examination and grading therein of hemp, tow, or stripper-slips:—
   At Auckland—
   The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).
   The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited).
   At Napier—
   The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).
   At Foxton—
   The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).
   The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited).
   At Wellington—
   The Wellington Harbour Board.
   At Picton—
   The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).
   At Blenheim—
   The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited).
   At Lyttelton—
   The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).
   The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited).
   At Port Chalmers—
   John Mill and Co.
   The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited).
   At Bluff—
   The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).
   The Shaw, Savill, and Albion Company (Limited).

6. For the purpose of examination and grading, all hemp, tow, or stripper-slips for export shall be stored by the owner thereof in one of the appointed grading-stores at least four clear days before the grading thereof is required to be done.

7. (1.) The owner shall at the same time submit the hemp, tow, or stripper-slips for grading by giving the grader at the appointed grading-store in which the hemp, tow, or stripper-slips is being stored written particulars in or to the effect of the form numbered 2 set out in the Second Schedule hereto