H.—23a

1908. NEW ZEALAND.

INTERIM RETURN OF SHEEP IN THE DOMINION ON THE 30th APRIL, 1908.

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

Department of Agriculture, Sir,— Wellington, 15th July, 1908. I have the honour to furnish a statement of the approximate number of sheep in the Dominion on the 30th April, 1908. I have, &c, John D. Eitchie, The Hon. the Minister for Agriculture. Secretary for Agriculture.

Approximate Number of Sheep in the Dominion on the 30th April, 1908.

The following table shows the number of sheep in the Dominion, and the export of mutton and lamb, for the past seven years, at 30th April:—

John D. Eitchie, Secretary for Agriculture. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,500 copies), £1 4s. 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oB. Price 3d.)

District. Number of Sheep. Inorease. Decrease. 1907.* 1908. Auckland N apier-Gisborne Wellington-West Coast ... Marlborough-Nelson Canterbury-Kaikoura Otago 785,710 5,119,901 4,948,407 1,122,440 5,147,340 3,859,974 837,765 5,351,393 5,148,308 1,185,810 5,301,595 4,299,331 52,055 231,492 199,901 63,370 154,255 439,357 Total 20,983,772 22,124,202 1,140,430 Increase, North Island Increase, South Island 483,448 656,982 Total increase 1,140,430 * Complete returns.

y'' Year. Number of Sheep in Dominion. Mutton Carcases exported. Legs and Pieces exported. Lamb Carcases exported. 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 20,342,727 18,954,553 18,280,806 19,130,875 20,108,471 20,983,772 22,124,202* 1,712,670 2,497,546 2,388,959 1,888,065 1,500,773 1,921,465 1,821,426 Cwt. 61,949 87,250 40,472 24,088 13,471 37,456 35,663 1,736,780 2,006,162 2,104,881 1,937,026 2,134,563 2,519,417 2,826,437 * Approximati