H.-2S.

Sess. 11.—1807. NEW ZEALAND.

THE ANNUAL SHEEP RETURNS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th APRIL, 1897.

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 throughout the Colony.

B. —Eetuen showing (in Totals under Districts) — 1. The Districts into which the Colony is divided. 2. The Number of Sheepowners in each District. 3. The Number of Sheep upon which the Sheep-rate is collected. 4. The Amount of the Sheep-rate in each District.

C. —Statement showing Classification of Sheep.

I). — Eetuen showing— 1. The Subdivisions of the Districts into which the Colony is divided. i The Number of Sheepowners owning 1 to 200, 201 to 500, 501 to 1,000, 1001 to 2,500, 2,501 to 5,000, 5,001 to 7,500, 7,501 to 10,000, 10,001 to 20,000, 20,001 and over; also, Total Number of Owners of Sheep, and Total Number of Sheep, for the Year ended 30th April, 1897. 3. The Names and Residences of Officers holding Appointments under the Stock Act.

E, Eetuen of all Sheepowners, and Number of Sheep and Lambs, on 30th April, 1896, and 30th April, 1897 ; showing the County in which Owners reside and their Sheep are depastured, so far as the information is supplied iii the Schedule " 33 " furnished by Sheepowners under section 47 of " The Stock Act, 1893." I—H. 23.