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The number of sheep exported, frozen, was 471,068 ; boiled down and used at preserving-works, 14,796. As, under " The Sheep Act, 1890," sheep going from one district to another do not require inspection, I have no means of giving accurately the number of sheep that have gone to other districts, but have given an approximate estimate of 220,000, which is rather under than over the number. . Napier, 7th July, 1891. E. C. Pasley, Inspector.
Wellington-West Coast District. Horses generally continue in good health, subject to attacks of strangles. On one farm in the North Wairarapa Subdivision this disease, followed by blood-poisoning, as a result of re-absorption of pus, caused the deaths of fourteen horses. This was, I believe, due to their being in low condition, a want of provision for the isolation of the sick horses, and general want of proper treatment. Cattle. —The health of cattle generally throughout the district is good. Cases of tuberculosis and cancer (so called) are met with occasionally, more especially, perhaps, on the West Coast. Sheep. —This district still continues free from scab. Worms. —lnternal parasites generally were very prevalent during the winter of 1890. This seems mainly due to owners not recognising that it is imperatively necessary to have their sheep in a robust condition during the latter part of the autumn. This can only be done on good, clean feed with pure water, whilst a liberal allowance of salt and sulphate of iron seem to be of great service in rendering the system proof against the inroads of parasites. There requires also to be greater care exercised in the time and mode of drenching lambs for worms. This should be done early, and preferably with turpentine and milk. Many owners now wait until lambs are so reduced and weak as to be almost unable to reach the yards, and the rough handling they are there subjected to can only be attended with disastrous results. It appears to me likely that at some not far distant date it will be necessary to compel owners to take certain precautions against internal parasites, just as at present they are compelled to dip for the external ones. Lice still continue to be prevalent during the latter part of the autumn and winter, and it has been necessary to insist on many owners dipping. General Health. —The appearance of sheep throughout the district is good, except in bush country, where, owing to the moist season and consequent growth of grass, they do not look as well as might be wished. Lambs. —The lambing was on the whole good; I regret to say, however, that on the east side of the Wairarapa Lake there was this year a large mortality amongst the lambs, said by owners to be due to wool-balling. Veterinary Surgeon McClean visited the district with a view of ascertaining the cause, but, owing to limited time and bad weather, was unable to carry out a thorough investigation. In the Taranaki-Hawera district there was a large mortality among the weaners. From Mr. McClean's report this appears to be due to anaemia, or poverty of blood, but as to how this is caused there does not appear to be sufficient evidence to show. In both these instances, if the mortality recur, further investigation is desirable. Wool. —Owing to the favourable conditions of weather and feed, the clip has been a good one. General. —The number of sheep introduced into this district from Hawke's Bay was 141,000, of these, some 30,000 went to the Wairarapa, the remainder being distributed over the West Coast. There were introduced at the Port of Wellington from Great Britain, five sheep and six dogs; from India, one horse ; from Australia, ten horses, one buffalo, and twenty-three dogs. There were exported from same port 235 horses and one dog to India; one dog to Great Britain; to Australia, twelve horses, twenty-five dogs; there were exported, frozen, 407,318 sheep and lambs, 21,375 head of cattle; there were preserved, 22,704 sheep, 4,689 head of cattle ; there were boiled down about 30,000 sheep : making a total of 460,022 sheep, and 26,064 cattle treated during the year. Wellington, 11th July, 1891. John Dbummond, Inspector.
Mablbobough-Nelson Distbict. Sheep. —All flocks remain free from scab. I have neither seen nor heard of any since September, 1889. Lice. —A few sheep were found slightly infected, and the flocks dipped as soon as detected or shorn. Owing to continual wet weather last winter the wool clip was light, and the lambing poor on several of the runs. During the year there were 20,549 sheep boiled down or preserved. Gattle. —No disease has shown itself in cattle or horses, but complaints were made from the West Coast of cattle being affected with cancer, and to such an extent that in one case the butchers gave an owner notice that they could not take cattle from him. On my inspecting the cattle I could not detect any disease, and have heard nothing since. As these reports are very injurious to cattlebreeders, I have recommended that a Deputy Inspector be appointed on the West Coast. No stock has been imported or exported except coastwise, and that not in any number. Blenheim, 30th May, 1891. . T. G. Eichabdson, Inspector.
Oantebbury-Kaikouea Distbict Cattle. —Several cases of diseased beasts have been found in the public saleyards; these have been dealt with under " The Cattle Act, 1890." Otherwise cattle have been healthy. Sheep. —The weather has on the whole been favourable for both sheep and wool. The lambing was above the average excepting, on a few of the far back runs. All the Kaikoura flocks havo been carefully examined, and that district may now be considered absolutely free from scab.
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