H.—29

If in addition to this the farmer would consider the advisability of producing pork and bacon throughout the whole season, so that bacon-curers in Great Britain could depend upon receiving uninterrupted supplies, I feel sure that pig-farming would be placed in a much better position than it occupies to-day. The quality of our pigs is satisfactory to British buyers, and with the plentiful supply of meat-meal which we have at our disposal, in addition to the food crops that can be grown on the farm, more can be accomplished. Mange. —During the season a few outbreaks were seen. These were all successfully treated with crude petroleum. A sharp lookout is being kept by Inspectors in the field and also at meat-works, and should any further cases arise they will be effectively dealt with. The position is now well in hand. Abscesses. —This is a condition that is still too frequently met with on slaughter. The majority of such abscesses are due to the pigs being placed in insanitary sties after being castrated. If pig-keepers would only see that after castration pigs were placed on clean grass pasture or in a clean pen that has been previously prepared to receive them the complaint would be less in evidence. A number of pig carcasses are condemned each season from this cause alone. Necrosis. —The incidence of this complaint was in evidence to a considerable extent. In one instance in the Southland district fairly heavy mortality was experienced. The indications of the disease are ulcerating sores on the legs and under-parts of the body. As a general rule the mortality from this cause is not great, yet the monetary loss through unthriftiness is considerable. It is invariably associated with insanitary conditions. Pasteurellosis. —A number of cases of this was seen in various districts, but in no case was the mortality high. General. —A few other ailments, which were attended and advice given were in evidence. In no case did they assume serious proportions. On the whole, the health of this class of stock has been satisfactory. Live-stock Statistics. The 1932 sheep returns showed that sheep-flocks in the Dominion dropped by 1,100,728 to a total of 28,691,788. A decrease of 545,669 also occurred in the number of breeding ewes. The number of sheepowners has decreased by 340 to a total of 30,449. The number of cattle in the Dominion has fallen to 4,072,383, being a decrease of 8,142. The number of dairy cows, however, increased by 100,387 to a total of 1,702,020. The number of pigs in the Dominion as revealed in the 1932 enumeration was 513,416, being an increase of 37,222 on the previous year's figures. Horses have continued to show a decline, the number being 280,994, a reduction of 14,749. Slaughter of Stock. The numbers of sheep and lambs slaughtered were again very heavy. The total numbers of stock slaughtered at registered premises were : Sheep, 3,569,598 ; lambs, 9,718,585 : cattle, 393,608 ; calves, 599,335 ; swine, 532,123. The following table shows the stock slaughtered during the past year at freezing-works only, the previous year's figures being shown for comparison :—

For further purposes of comparison the following table is given, showing the killings of sheep and lambs at meat-export slaughterhouses over four periods, Ist October to 31st March in each year, as indicative of the slaughterings from the beginning of each season to the 31st March :—

These figures show an increase of 611,013 lambs and a decrease of 965,015 sheep compared with the same period last year. Following are the numbers of each class of animal slaughtered under direct inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1933 : Cattle, 337,301 ; calves, 597,943 ; sheep, 3,326,457 ; lambs, 9,684,604 ; swine, 479,326.

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o tr , n u Year ended 31st Year ended 31st T _ StOck ' March, 1933. March, 1932. Increase. Decrease. Cattle .. .. .. .. 197,218 131,624 65,594 Calves .. .. .. .. 541,668 537,003 4,665 Sheep .. .. .. .. j 2,561,306 3,430,176 .. 868,770 Lambs.. .. .. .. 9,463,846 8,459,244 1,004,602 Swine .. .. .. .. 347,998 246,048 101,950

Stook. 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. 1932-33. Sheep .. .. .. 1,982,550 1,671,493 2,614,378 1,649,363 Lambs .. .. .. 4,431,424 5,531,021 5,822,728 6,433,741