H.—29

10

Tuberculosis. —The examination of all carcases of animals slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses and abattoirs again shows a slight reduction in the, percentage found affected with, tuberculosis in any degree, as indicated by decreases in the following classes of stock : Cerws, 0-07 per cent. ; bullocks and heifers, 0-70 per cent. ; and swine, 0-98 per cent. Bulls show an increase of 0-13 percent, on the, previous year's figures. While' these figures are no doubt satisfactory so far as the' examination of slaughtered, stock is concerned, the condemnation of cattle in the field by Stock inspectors does ne>t appear to indicate a corresponding reduction, as the condemnations have increased from 2,914 to 3,261. Some of this increase may be accounted for by a greater degree erf activity on the part of the field staff, but after giving the present methods a gooel trial it would appear that this disease can never be eradicated or even reduced to a minimum by the present method, whilst the demand for increased compensation calls for an early review of the whole position. lam erf opinion that if we were to give inducement to owners to have their animals subjected to the tuberculin test by increasing the amount of compensation payable' only for cattle condemned as a, result of that test, some permanent good would follow, and I trust that consideration will be given to proposals to more effectively battle with this disease in the, future. Actinomycosis. —This disease, has again been responsible for a number of condemnations in the field, especially in the Auckland and the Otago-Southland districts, where the proportion of animals condemned is exceptionally high. The condemnations fen- actinomycosis we're as follows : Auckland District, 158 ; Wellington District, 102 ; Canterbury District, 59 ; Otago District, 135. Cattle-tick. — The control of the tick found affecting cattle in the North Auckland district has been taken well in hand. Regulations were gazetted during the year, and although they were not put wholly into operation, owing to dipping facilities not being available in the tick-infested districts, the provisions regarding the removal, of stock to clean country were put into operation, and it is hoped to have the regulations fully carried out before next season. The dip erected at Oakleigh (Whang irei) proved quite satisfactory, and, with a few minor alterations to the, plan, has been adopted as the standard for erection by local bodies or committees appointed throughout the district. Sites for the erection of dips have been approved in a number of instances, applications for the Government subsidy of pound for pound up to £150 have been granted, and it is anticipated that a number of the eiips will soon be erected and ready to receive, cattle for dipping. Livu-stock Statistics. S.heep, —The enumeration of sheep in the Dominion as at 30th April, 1919, showed a, decrease of 709,748 when compared with the previous year, but this was not unexpected, as the previous yeai-'s increase was partly accounted for by delayed slaughtering owing to the backward season, and the 1918 lambing had shown a material reduction. Last year's figures, however, were, still in advance of all previous years' returns with the exception of 1918. The following table slreiws the number of sheep in the Dominion for the stated years : —

The present year's figures arc not, at time of writing, compiled, but in the face of the increased slaughterings shown, and the decrease in the estimated lambing-percentage, a reduction em last year's figures must be looked for. Cattle. -The, statistics collected in January, 1919, again show a satisfactory increase over the' previous year in both dairy coWs and other cattle. The following table shows the numbers of the respective classes : —

Swine. —I have again to record a, marked reduction in the number of swine' in the' Dominion as revealed in the last enumeration. The', figures for the last five' years are as follows : 1911,348,754; 1916,297,501; 1917,283,770; 1918,258,694; 1919,235,347 Consequent on the high prices ruling for bacon, hams, and pork the breeding of pigs is receiving more attention this season than for some few years past, but on account of the. utilization of the' whole of the by-products of milk through the increase in cheese-factories and the dried-milk industry a new system of feuding becomes imperative, before any permanent improvement can be possible. Advice on the growing of suitable forage crops and the system of feeding is being given by tire Division.

Year. Stud and Flock Rams (Two-tooth Breeding-ewes, anil over). Other Sheep. Lambs. Total. 1913 .. 1914 .. 1915 .. 1916 .. 1917 .. 1918 .. 1919 .. 313,690 321,869 315,251 316,131 329,230 325,111 321,304 12,521,036 12,920,176 12,615,341 12,892,767 13,260,169 13,022,034 12,341,900 4,371,257 4,377,936 4,625,681 4,682,298 4,530,471 5,295,269 5,734,029 6,985,827 7,178,782 7,318,148 6,896,954 7,150,516 7,895,888 7,431,321 24,191,810 24,798,763 24,901,421 24,788,150 25,270,386 26,538,302 25,828,584

Bulls (all Ages). Dairy Cows. Other Cattle. Total. Year. 1908 1911 1916 1917 1918 1919 30,170 40,670 50,858 49,930 51,935 56,706 591,617 633,733 750,323 777,439 793,215 826,135 1,151,539 1,345,568 1,616,310 1,747,861 2,024,315 2,152,637 1,773,326 2,020,171 2,417,491 2,575,230 2,869,165 3,035,478