SHEEP RETURNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12662, 16 September 1904, Page 5

SHEEP RETURNS.

A GENERAL DECREASE. [BV TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Thursday. The annual sheep returns for the year ended April 30 last, show the total number of sheep in the colony at 18,280,806, compared with 18,954,553 the previous year. * The North Island total is 9,203,963, compared with 9,433,851 in the previous year, and the South Island total is 9,076,843, compared with 9,520,722 in the previous year. There are increases of 3286 in Eden, ICBB in Coronandel, 735 in Piako, 613 in Tauranga, 7246 in Cook, 41,830 in Wairoa, 15,314 in Waipawa and Woodville, 1405 in Hawera, 6254 in Patea, 11,143 in Wanganui and Waimarino, 989 in Manawatu, 4899 in Featherstone, and 2227 in Castlepoint. All the other North Island districts show decreases. The following are the increases in the South Island:— 81, Grey 1089, Amuri, 11,697, Mackenzie 7012, Waimats 1644, Waikouaiti 1105, and Peninsula 325. The number of sheep-owners in the colony has decreased by 268 since last year. The total sheep in the Auckland district decreased from 784,043 to 685,799, and Otagc from 3,632,765 to 3,360,743. The boundaries of the other districts have been slightly altered, so that the figures do not give an accurate comparison, but all show a decrease except Napier and Marlborough.