H.-29

17

In addition to the stock slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, abattoirs, and ordinary slaughterhouses, 38,846 carcasses of pork killed and dressed by farmers and sent into butchers' shops were examined by departmental officers. In connection with the animals shown in the above table as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following numbers of the respective classes are returned as having gone into consumption within the Dominion : Cattle, 35,710 ; calves, 5,912 ; sheep, 213,862 ; lambs, 65,260; swine ; 27,902. Compensation paid foe Stock and Meat condemned. Compensation to the amount of £18,183 os. 6d. was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field for disease under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £13,383 19s. 6d. for carcasses or parts of carcasses condemned for disease on examination at the time of slaughter at abattoirs, meat-export slaughterhouses, &c., under the provisions of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act. Importation of Stud Stock from Abroad. Owing to conditions regarding foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain, a prohibition still exists on the importation of cattle, sheep, and swine from there, and up to the present it has not been possible to take steps to lift the embargo. At present the only countries from which cattle may be imported into New Zealand are Tasmania, Canada, and the United States (with the exception of the State of California) ; while swine may be introduced only from Tasmania and Canada. Cattle and swine from these countries must be quarantined on arrival in the Dominion. The following imported animals were placed in quarantine during the year for the prescribed period : Horses, 1 ; cattle, 41 ; sheep, 7 : swine, 4 ; dogs, 44. Exportation of Stud Stock. During the year under review the following stud stock was exported : Sheep, 3,358 ; cattle, 128 ; swine, 28 ; horses (draught), 9. In addition to these draught-horses several shipments of trotters and thoroughbreds were made to Australia for racing purposes, but many of these returned at the conclusion of their engagements. Dairy Inspection. At the present time there are approximately four thousand registered dairies supplying the cities, boroughs, and townships throughout the Dominion, and of these over two thousand are supplying the four larger centres. As most of these dairies are supplying milk that has not been pasteurized, essentials demanded by the Inspectors are that the utmost care and cleanliness is maintained so that the product may reach the consumer in a satisfactory condition. To ensure this the surroundings are required to be kept in a sanitary condition, and the hands and wearing-apparel of the milker kept clean. Special attention is paid to the milking-machines and milk-tubes, so that no sediment of milk is allowed to accumulate at the joints or other parts. The udders of the cows are required to be kept clean, and milk-sediment tests are taken at frequent intervals to determine the condition of the milk and demonstrate the same to the farmer. In addition to this the animals comprising the herd are examined for disease. Many owners of dairy herds are now asking that the tuberculin test be applied to their herds, so that the milk supplied may be above suspicion. Over and above this, composite samples of milk are taken from many herds and subjected to a laboratory test at the Department's Laboratory at Wallaceville, and should disease be found the whole herd is subjected to the tuberculin test. When one is acquainted with the enormous amount of work required to produce a sound wholesome milk, it is to the credit of those concerned that our milk-supply is on so high a standard. Year by year sees a steady improvement, brought about by better sanitation, improvement in the cleanliness of machines and attendants, better cooling methods, and better and more up-to-date buildings. The ramshackle building and slipshod method of registered dairying is now a thing of the past. In the dairies supplying Christchurch last season some three thousand cows were subjected to the tuberculin test, and out of this number only 2-355 per cent, reacted. When one considers that many of these cows were tested on suspicion, this is a very satisfactory record. Poultry Industry. It is much to be regretted that the past two season's experiments with New Zealand eggs on the London market have not been more encouraging in respect to price prospects. The eggs themselves have opened up in good condition on the whole, and the quality has been reported on as quite satisfactory, .demonstrating that if a payable price was obtainable there is nothing in the way of establishing an export trade in eggs. Unfortunately, however, the margin of loss is considerable, and unless production-costs and costs connected with the export can be reduced by at least 4d. per dozen there is little likelihood of a payable export trade in eggs developing. The question of disposing of the surplus eggs in the flush season is therefore one that must be given consideration, and it is hoped that by co-operation between the respective interests a system will be evolved that will put the marketing of eggs locally on a better footing and assist in the consumption of increased quantities of eggs. There is ample evidence that given a guaranteed article, the demand will increase, and if the local market can be so encouraged the present apparent surplus will pass away and at least consolidate the present standard of production.

3—H. 29,