IL—29.

The following table indicates the respective classes of premises at which these animals were slaughtered : —

Stock slaughtered at ordinary slaughterhouses during the year ended 31st March, 1932, was as follows : Cattle, 56,094 ; calves, 1,565 ; sheep, 246,673 ; lambs, 30,575 ; swine, 21,689. Carcasses of pork killed and dressed by farmers and sent into butchers' shops and small factories and examined by departmental officers numbered 28,876. In connection with the animals shown in the above tables as .slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following numbers are returned as having gone into consumption within the Dominion : Cattle, 10,918 ; calves, 1,823 ; sheep, 162,075 ; lambs, 88,313 ; swine, 9,376. Compensation paid foe Stock and Meat Condemned. Compensation to the amount of £13,163 16s. was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field for disease under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £10,806 9s. 4d. 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 op Stud Stock from Abroad. The prohibition imposed on cattle, sheep, and swine from the United Kingdom as a precaution against the entry of foot-and-mouth disease still exists, and the only countries from which stock may be imported subject to the regulations are : Cattle from Tasmania, Canada, and the United States (with the exception of California) ; swine from Australia (with the exception of Queensland and Western Australia) and Canada ; and sheep from Australia (with the exception of Queensland and Western Australia). Importations of cattle from the United States and Tasmania are subject to the precedent consent of the Minister in each case. The following imported animals were placed in quarantine during the year for the respective periods required : Horses, 1 ; cattle, 1 ; swine, 18 ; dogs, 36. Exportation of Stud Stock. During the year under review the following stud stock was exported : Sheep, 1,434 ; cattle, 46 ; swine, 11 ; horses, 11 (draught). There was the usual movement of racehorses to and from Australia. Dairy Inspection. Owing to the reduction in the wholesale and retail prices received for milk, the season just past has been rather a difficult one for those farmers engaged in producing the raw material for city use, but the standard both as regards the health of the cows and the conditions of the sheds, appliances, and surroundings have been well maintained. There are now about five thousand dairies registered for supplying our cities, boroughs, and towns throughout the Dominion, and of these 2,189 supply the four largest centres. During the year all these dairies were kept under close supervision, and where any sign of laxity was observed special attention was paid. The District Superintendent, Dunedin, aptly remarks : "It is necessary at all times to keep the majority of licensees up to the mark, otherwise a certain amount of carelessness is apt to creep in, to the detriment of the premises as well as the wholesomeness of the product." The sediment tester has again proved its usefulness. In all districts a large number of milk-samples have been subjected to this test, and where it is found that the milk does not come up to standard the premises are visited and instruction given which brings about an improved condition of the article supplied. A considerable number of composite samples of milk were collected from all districts and sent to Wallaceville for the biological test, and it is satisfactory to report that negative results were obtained with one exception. This sample came from a herd the milk of which was not being used for city supply. The herd has since been subjected to the tuberculin test and all reacting cows have been eliminated. It is worthy of note that year by year dairymen are becoming more desirous of supplying a better article, and just lately we have had a number of inquiries with regard to supplying milk from certified herds free from tuberculosis. Rules have been drawn up so that dairymen may be able to sell milk under these conditions. Tuberculin Test. —The tuberculin test was applied to a total of 5,475 cattle during the year, and 401 of these reacted, equal to 7-32 per cent. Considering that of the number tested 484 were tested on suspicion, giving reactions up to as high as 53 per cent, in some districts, this result must be considered as indicating a satisfactory position.

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Stock. Abattoirs. j Baoon-factories. I ■ I i Cattle .. .. .. .. .. 135,224 131,624 Calves .. .. .. .. .. 54,461 537,003 Sheep .. .. .. .. .. 788,045 3,430,176 Lambs .. .. .. .. .. 199,377 8,458,244 Swine .. .. .. .. ..| 131,369 246,048 31,808 I I