The report received from the Association on the results obtained from the advertising of the Trade Mark showed that the sale of goods was increased and that an addition to the membership of the Association was secured.

Scottish Sub-Committee of the Rural Industries Intelligence Bureau.-A conference, convened by the Committee of the Rural Industries Intelligence Bureau, was held in Edinburgh to consider the appointment of a Sub-Committee of the Bureau to investigate and encourage rural industries in Scotland. It was proposed by the conference that this Sub-Committee should be composed of representatives of the Board of Agriculture, the Scottish Board of Health, the Forestry Commission, the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes, the Highland Home Industries, Ltd., and other co-opted members, and that the functions of the Sub-Committee should include the following:

(a) Considering how far the activities of the Rural Industries Intelligence Bureau can be adapted so as to promote rural industries in Scotland, and co-ordinating the activities of any bodies and organisations engaged in similar work in Scotland; (b) obtaining and spreading information as to the economic possibilities of establishing and developing particular rural industries in particular areas;

(c) encouraging through other appropriate organisations and interested individuals the provision of technical instruction in suitable handicrafts and the formation of co-operative societies;

(d) encouraging through appropriate organisations the holding of exhibitions of the products of Scottish rural industries. A tentative estimate of the probable expenditure of the Sub-Committee was also framed.

These proposals were approved by the Committee of the Bureau, and negotiations were in progress at the close of the year for the appointment of a chairman of the Sub-Committee.

XIII. TRANSPORT SERVICES.

BOARD OF Agriculture for Scotland STEAMER SERVICE. Particulars of the cargo steamer service maintained by the Board between Mallaig and Kyle and places in Skye and on the West Coast of Ross-shire were given in the last Report.

On the renewal of the charter of the S.S. "Sweet Home " for employment on the service during 1927, an alteration was made in the order of the calls by the steamer at the various places served by it. On the readjusted itinerary, the steamer, after leaving Kyle, completes its calls on the mainland coast before crossing to Skye and thus makes the "round" trip in the reverse direction to that previously followed. This arrangement was adopted with a view to making earlier delivery of foodstuffs and other supplies to the crofters in the Loch Torridon area to

whom, in the absence of other transport facilities, the service provided by the steamer is of particular benefit.

The regular runs of the steamer to the advertised places of call were satisfactorily maintained in alternate weeks throughout the year. Several special trips with bulk cargoes were also made by the steamer. These trips were made to Liverpool carrying timber and returning with salt, to Methil carrying timber and returning with coal, and to Glasgow carrying timber and wool and returning with building materials for delivery at some of the Board's Rural Housing Stores (see page 18). The vessel was also employed on a few occasions in the ferrying of sheep in the Sound of Sleat.

STEAMER SERVICE BETWEEN KIRKWALL AND

NORTH RONALDSHAY.

Arrangements were made for the maintenance of this steamer service by the Orkney Steam Navigation Company during 1927 on the same conditions as in preceding years. The Board agreed to continue their grant of 75 per cent. of the amount found to be payable to the Company on the basis of a subsidy of £10 for each trip in excess of twelve.

A grant of £60 was paid by the Board on these terms in respect of the maintenance of the service in 1926.

MOTOR BOAT SERVICE FOR THE ISLAND OF SOAY.

After considering, in consultation with the Scottish Board of Health and the Fishery Board for Scotland, the proposals made by the inhabitants of Soay for the establishment of a motor boat service for the Island, the Board offered to guarantee payment of a sum of £156 per annum for a period of two years in respect of the hire of a motor boat for the performance of weekly trips between the Island and Mallaig. The Scottish Board of Health also offered an annual grant of £30 in respect of the use of the motor boat for the conveyance of the doctor from and to Skye and Soay. These offers were made subject to the condition that a local committee would be appointed to be responsible for the working and management of the service, and that the freight earned in the carriage of passengers, fish and goods at approved rates on the weekly trips of the motor boat would be credited against the Board's guarantee.

The assistance offered was accepted by the Islanders, and the service was commenced on 19th April. The weekly sailings of the motor boat to and from Mallaig were thereafter maintained without interruption throughout the year.

APPENDICES.

HOWING THE NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS FOR NEW HOLDINGS AND ENLARGEMENTS RECEIVED BY THE BOARD FROM 1ST APRIL 1912 TO 31ST DECEMBER 1927.
OUTSTANDING RESPECTIVELY

AND THE NUMBERS GRANTED, WITHDRAWN, AND

AT THE LATTER

DATE.

11

125

8 27
2 117. .. 1

81 9 154 359 318 68 14 158 72 877 141 894 484 187 38 396 85 549 89 248

APPENDIX No. 2.

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE FOR SCOTLAND.

TABLE SHOWING AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 1927 THE NUMBERS OF NEW HOLDINGS AND ENLARGEMENTS FORMED AND OF APPLICANTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED ENTRY
acquired by the Board under the Small Holding Colonies Acts 1916 and 1918, Sailors and Soldiers (Gifts for Land Settlement) Act, 1916, Congested Districts (Scotland) Act, 1897,
and Settlement (Scotland) Acts, 1919 (Part I.) and 1921; (b) Under the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, and Land Settlement (Scotland) Act, 1919 (Part II.).

state, (see note)

The difference between these totals represents Applicants who have been settled on holdings or enlargements (1) vacated by the original tenants, and (2) which on becoming vacant have been amalgamated with other holdings. Exclusive of 84,500 acres taken over by the Board in 1912 from the Congested Districts Board. • Area and Annual Value of portions sold have been deducted.

The difference between these totals represents (1) applicants who have been settled on holdings vacated by the original tenants and (2) holdings or enlargements which on becoming vacant have been amalgamated with other holdings.