H.—23a

1901. NEW ZEALAND.

INTERIM RETURN OF SHEEP IN THE COLONY ON THE 30th APRIL, 1901.

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

Department of Agriculture (Live-stock Branch), Sir,— Wellington, 11th July, 1901. I have the honour to furnish a statement of the approximate number of sheep in the colony on the 30th April, 1901. I have, &c, John D. Ritchie, The Hon. the Minister for Agriculture. Chief Inspector of Stock.

Approximate Number of Sheep in the Colony on the 30th April, 1901.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,575 copies), £1 Bs. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ol. Price 3d.]

District. Number if Sheep. Increase. Decrease. 1900. 1901. Auckland 880,189 887,938 7,749 Napier 4,620,745 4,533,218 87,527* Wellington-West Coast 4,497,239 4,790,368 293,129 Marlborough-Nelson 894,010 925,381 31,371 Canterbury-Kaikoura 4,716,262 5,107,073 390,811 Otago ... 3,746,750 3,942,806 196,056 Total 19,355,195 20,186,784 919,116 87,527 Increasi :, North Island 213,351 Increasi s, South Island 618,238 'otal increase 831,589 * The boundaries of Napier and Wellington Districts ha' in Napier. e been altered sit ice last year, he: ce the decrease