THE PASTORAL INDUSTRY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 134, 8 June 1907, Page 5

THE PASTORAL INDUSTRY.

MARLBOROUGH'S WOOL AND MEAT. REDUCTION~OF RABBITS. The following table of statistics will serve to indicate the gradual growth of the mutton and lamb export trade of Marlborough. The first year given (1900) marks the settlement ot tet-ar-borough and the advent of turnip and rape feed on a fairly large scale. TJie fio-ures show the number of carcases exported from Picton and Blenheim for the years ended 31st March., 1900 to 1906' inclusive. It is to be noted that the total for the last year given can hardly represent the actual number qf carcases put through the Works at* Picton last year. Year ended 'March 31. Mutton. Lamb. Total. 1900 ... 6,390 17,788 24.178 1901 ... 9.J07 18,444 27,451 1902 ... 17,340 35,945 53,285 1903 ... 34,076 43,830 78,506 1904 ... 42,081 66,216 108,297 1905 ... 34,456 49,654 84.110 1906 ... 12,887 ' 39,499 52,386 The wool export statistics, .while showing a decrease last year on the quantity exported in several previous years, indicate that the value has gradually increased, and still remains high. Year ended March 31. Weight. ' Value, lbs. £ 1900 ... 2,922,836 116,251 1901 ... 2,782,045 79 : 841 1902 ... '3,489,724 81,650 1903 ... 4,163,647 124,744 1904 ... 3,850,703 126,484 1905 ... 3,121,924 132,594 1906 ... 3,079,847 140,561 The decrease of rabbits in Marlborough from the bad days of 1890 to the vanishing-point touched in 1903 is shown by the following return of the export of rabbitskins from Blenheim and Picton : — Year ended March 31st. Number. 1890 7OO'Hn 1891 . .:. 730.750 1592 794,249 1893 ... ...... 583,728 1894 ■....-,■...-.•....■ 149,91 ft . 1895 ... ... ... •289,716 1896 ' ... 135,198 1897 86,886 • 1898 107,442 1899 •= 72,726 1900 18,324 1901 14,064 1902 18,171 1903 7,9,0 1904 ... ... ... 17,125 1905 ... 33,822 1906 . 32,666 It should be noted that in Marlborough, Otago and Southland the export of skins shows an increase since 1903.