H.—ls.

1889. NEW ZEALAND.

THE ANNUAL SHEEP RETURNS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MAY, 1888.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

A.—Table showing Increase or Decrease in the Number of Sheep in each County throughouty the Colony.

B.—Beturn showing (in Totals under Counties) — 1. The Sheep Districts into which the Colony is divided for the Purposes of " The Sheep Act, 1878." 2. The Area of such Districts. 3. The Number of " Infected " Sheep in each District. 4. The Number of Sheepowners in each District. 5. The Number of Sheep upon which the Sheep-rate is collected. 6. The Amount of the Sheep-rate in each District. 7. The Number of Inspectors of Sheep, Cattle, and Babbits, and Begistrars of Brands, residing in each District. 8. The Amount payable for Salaries and Allowances in each District.

C—Eeturn showing— 1. The Districts into which the Colony is divided, for the Purposes of— "The Sheep Act, 1878;" " The Diseased Cattle Act, 1881;" also the Cattle Boards appointed under the Act. 2. The Number of Sheepowners owning under 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 Sheep, also owning 20,000 Sheep and upwards; also Total Number of Owners of Sheep, and Total Number of Sheep, for the Year ended 31st May, 1888. 3. The Number of Owners of Infected Sheep, and the Number of Infected Sheep, on 31st March, 1888. 4. The Names and Eesidences of Officers holding Appointments under the Sheep, Diseased Cattle, and Branding Acts.

D.—Beturn of all Sheepowners, and Number of Sheep and Lambs, on 31st May, 1887 and 1888; showing the County in which owners reside ancKheir Sheep are depastureji, so far as the information is supplied in the Schedule "A" furnished by Sheepowners under section 21 of "The Sheep Act, 1878." (See Supplement to the New Zealand Gazette, dated the 15th November, 1888.)