H.—29.

The assistance given by the New Zealand Racing Conference, the New Zealand Trotting Conference, and other kindred bodies is much appreciated. The work of the District Remount Committees has been made more difficult during the year through the necessity for restriction of motor travelling. Special thanks are due to these Committees for their supervision in their respective districts. CATTLE. Diseases scheduled under the Stock Act. Tuberculosis. —The number of cattle condemned under the Stock Act for tuberculosis during the year amounted to 5,211, 4,743 being condemned on clinical symptoms and 468 as reactors to the tuberculin test. In each case compensation Was paid in accordance with the provisions of the Act. The tuberculin test was applied to 9,703 cattle, of which 468 reacted, giving a percentage of 4-8. The total number of cattle, exclusive of calves, examined at the various abattoirs and meat-export slaughterhouses was 650,030, an increase of 131,829 on last year's figures. Of these, 41,241, or 6-35 per cent., were found to be affected with tuberculosis in varying degree, a large percentage being only slightly affected. This indicates a reduction of 1-33 per cent, infection among cattle slaughtered in these premises. The testing of herds is carried out on a voluntary basis, and it is of interest to note that 8,756 cattle were tested at the owner's request. A clinical examination is made of dairy herds supplying milk for human consumption, together with the testing of composite milk samples. In a few centres the entire herds in the supply are subjected voluntarily to an annual tuberculin test. Actinomycosis (and Actinobacillosis). —During the year, 589 animals were condemned for this disease, and many were successfully treated by the regular dosing with potassium iodide. In the few cases where treatment has been carried out by the intravenous use of sodium iodide, the results obtained have been very good. Although the advantages are many, the intravenous injection is not easily carried out without expert knowledge and attention. Malignant Growth. —The number of animals condemned was 282, compensation being paid in accordance with the Stock Act. Anthrax. —An outbreak of anthrax in stock on two dairy-farms occurred during the early part of the year in the Bombay district. The mortality rate was high before the outbreak came under the notice of the Department. It was necessary to take suitable measures to control the loss of stock and to prevent the spread of the infection in the district concerned. Some degree of quarantine and other control measures were necessary, but when the serious nature of the disease was fully recognized by the owners concerned, helpful assistance was freely given in the adoption of repressive measures. Vaccination of all cattle on the two farms involved was carried out, and it is pleasing to be able to report that no deaths have occurred on either farm since the outbreak was brought under control. Both farms are producing well. An outbreak of the disease occurred on one of these farms over thirty years ago. Owing to the longevity of the spores of the anthrax bacillus and the fact that some excavation work was carried out on the farm before the outbreak, it is reasonable to assume that the iufection was brought to the surface through the excavation work. Blackleg.-- The numbers of calves vaccinated against this disease in the affected areas were Taranaki 12,174, and Auckland 25,559, making a total of 37,733. This shows an increase of 5,097 on last year's figures, and would suggest that the number of outbreaks has increased. Control by vaccination continues to give good results. A considerable increase in vaccination work was necessary in the Dargaville district, where there were 51 outbreaks with 121 deaths, as compared with 4 outbreaks involving 7 deaths the previous year. In this district a total of 3,175 calves were vaccinated as a precautionary measure, the previous year's figures being 953. In the Auckland District there were 293 outbreaks, as compared with 200 the previous year, the number of deaths being 589, as compared with 395 the previous year. Cattle-tick (Haemaphysalis bispinosa).—There has been no spread of the cattle-tick to clean areas. The amendment to the Cattle-tick Regulations has not had any noticeable effect on the prevalence or otherwise of the parasite. Johne's Disease. —The position in regard to the prevalence of this disease in herds in the Taranaki District has not materially altered since my report last year. As already reported, the systematic testing of herds with Johnin has been largely discontinued, animals being dealt with on a clinical examination. On this basis, the number of animals condemned in Taranaki during the year was twenty-nine, as compared with forty the previous year. Some new farms have been shown to have infected animals. The great difficulty of carrying out elimination by the use of testing with Johnin has been clearly demonstrated. In the Auckland District the number of animals condemned for the disease during the year was twelve, as compared with forty-two the previous year. The animals were condemned as a result of a clinical examination. Here, again, the disease appeared on some new farms in the district. Non-scheduled Diseases. Mastitis.—-The good winter and flush of spring feed seemed to increase the number of cases of mastitis in herds in many districts. The incidence of the disease apparently increases with the age of the animal. It is an important cause of culling in older animals. Shed hygiene and herd management still remain the vital factors in the prevention of mastitis. No doubt, owing to war conditions, it is not easy to obtain suitable labour to manage herds efficiently.

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