H.—23a,

1899. NEW ZEALAND.

INTERIM RETURN OF SHEEP IN THE COLONY ON THE 30th APRIL, 1899.

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

Department of Agriculture (Live-stock Branch), Sir,— Wellington, Bth July, 1899. I have the honour to furnish a statement of the approximate number of sheep in the colony on the 30th April, 1899. I have, &c., John D. Eitchie, The Hon. the Minister for Agriculture. Chief Inspector of Stock.

Approximate Number of Sheep in the Colony on the 30th April, 1899.

The shortage of 463,023 sheep as shown above must be put down to the effect of the continuous drought which existed up to the middle of last year. In the interim return for 1898 it was shown that there had been an increase of 785,235 carcases of mutton and lambs exported, and over 200,000 old sheep boiled down in excess of the average, or close on a million of sheep dealt with over the previous year. A considerable number of these would have come into the returns for this year except for the shortage in feed, and consequent necessity of disposing of them. Further, there was a considerable mortality in many flocks last spring, the ewes and young sheep being in low condition. The export of mutton and lambs shows a decrease of 263,442 carcases for the year ending 31st March, 1899. Approximate Colt of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,375 copies), 18s. 6d.

By Authority : Johh Maokay, Government Printer, Wellington,—lB99. Price 3d.]

Number of Sheep. Increase. . Deorease. 1898. 1899. .uckland 898,515 901,322 2,807 fapier ... 4,525,348 4,514,860 10,488 Wellington- West Coast 4,441,082 4,514,519 73,437 larlborough-Nelson 936,936 859,953 76,983 lanterbury-Kaikoura 4,910,385 4,755,497 154,888 >tago ... 3,961,459 3,664,551 296,908 19,673,725 19,210,702 76,244 539,267 Less increase 76,244 Total decrease 463,023 Increase, North Island 65,756 Decrease, South Island 528,779