H.—2o.

Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

INSPECTION OF STOCK. (ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE INSPECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1891.)

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

Sir, — Live Stock Department, Wellington, 31st July, 1891. I have the honour to hand you herewith the annual reports for the different districts of the colony for the year ending the 31st March, 1891. I have, &c, The Hon. J. McKenzie, John D. Bitchie, Chief Inspector. Minister of Lands and Agriculture.

Auckland Distbict. Thekb is now no serious disease affecting sheep in this district. The Miranda sheep were examined during the month of March and found clean. In Tauranga there is each year a considerable loss among lambs during the period between the end of November and the end of March, that is not satisfactorily accounted for, and there seems to be some other cause than lung-worm, the usually accepted reason or cause given for losses among lambs. Lice. —ln this district lice are more prevalent than they are usually found to be in other parts of the colony; it is probably owing to the practice of continually buying and selling sheep so much in favour among owners here ; and possibly the warm climate of Auckland, with its great rainfall, is exceptionally favourable to the increase of this parasite. Sheep. —This year there will again be found a large increase in the number of sheep, also a particularly large increase in the number of stockowners, for the smaller landowners are beginning to realise the value of sheep. The Waikato can this year absorb a larger number of sheep for grazing than it can obtain from Hawke's Bay, and in this part of the Auckland district an increasing acreage of land under roots is each year being laid down. This season roots (chiefly turnips) are looking remarkably well. These Waikato lands are so eminently adapted to roots crops, that the farmer there should, by their use, derive the greatest benefit from the increasing value of the return from sheep. The number of sheep exported during the past year has been: Frozen, 11,236 ; shipped to the South Sea Islands, 1,547. Cattle. —There is no special development of any disease affecting cattle to report, and visits paid to the Auckland slaughterhouses bear this out. Since the passing of the Cattle Act three head of cattle have been ordered to be destroyed for cancer, and have been so destroyed. Number exported to South Sea Islands, 335. Horses. —Among horses the bot fly has been very prevalent and persistent in its attacks, and the area affected by this fly is increasing. Its effects are not visibly injurious to well-cared for animals in good order, but in badly-fed and low-conditioned horses it is certainly serious, and renders any improvement in their condition almost impossible. There have been fifty-three horses exported to South Sea Islands. Auckland, 6th April, 1891. E. Clifton, Inspector.

Napiek Distkict. Sheep. —The sheep in this district are in a very satisfactory condition. The provisions of the Act dealing with lice have beerw enforced, and have proved of great benefit. During the early part of last winter there was in some parts of the district a heavy loss among hoggets, caused by the heavy rains at that time, following on a dry autumn, and causing a rush of green feed without much substance in it. The lambing all over the district was exceedingly good, and the clip of wool satisfactory both as to condition and quantity.