H.—29.
The number of pigs in the Dominion as revealed in the 1933 enumeration was 591,582, being an increase of 78,166 on the previous year's figures. Horses have continued to show a decline, the number being 276,897, a reduction of 4,097. Slaughter of Stock. The numbers of sheep and lambs slaughtered show a decrease on last year's figures. The total number of stock slaughtered at registered premises were: Sheep, 2,867,245 ; lambs, 8,726,390 ; cattle, 475,149 ; calves, 945,853 ; swine, 744,569. 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 31st March :—
These figures show a decrease of 403,166 lambs and one of 355,746 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, 1934 : Cattle, 408,999 ; calves, 974,360; sheep, 2,640,924 ; lambs, 8,698,347 ; swine, 686,787. 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, 1934, was as follows : Cattle, 66,150 ; calves, 1,493 ; sheep, 226,321 ; lambs, 28,043 ; swine, 24,342. Carcasses of pork killed and dressed by farmers and sent into butchers' shops and small factories and examined by departmental officers numbered 33,440. 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, 12,497 ; calves, 2,897 ; sheep, 132,095 ; lambs, 83,907 ; swine, 15,393. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned. Compensation to the amount of £6,832 was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field for disease under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £12,488 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 Stock from Abroad. The following imported animals were placed in quarantine during the year for the respective periods required : Horses, nil; cattle, 8 ; sheep, 16 ; swine, 13 ; dogs, 61. Exportation op Stud Stock. During the year under review the following stud stock was exported : Sheep, 1,774 ; cattle, 24 ; swine, 12 ; horses, 60 (draught). There was the usual movement of racehorses to and from Australia.
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„, , Year ended Year ended r TWrp-iw Stock ' 31st March, 1934. 31st March, 1933. Decrease. Cattle 254,201 197,218 56,983 Calves .. .. .. 904,717 541,668 363,049 Sheep .. •■ 1,972,678 2,561,306 .. 588,628 Lambs .. .. .. 8,551,838 9,463,846 .. 912,008 Swine . .. 532,972 ' 347,998 184,974 .. •
Stock. 1930-31. 1931-32. 1932-33. 1933-34. I Sheep .. .. .. 1,671,493 2,614,378 1,649,363 1,293,617 Lambs .. .. 5,531,021 5,822,728 6,433,741 6,030,575 I
Stock. Abattoirs. Baoan-fartaries. Cattle •• 154,798 254,201 Calves 69,643 904,717 Sheep .. .. 668,246 1,972,678 Lambs 146,509 8,551,836 Swine •• 117,931 532,972 35,884