H.—29,

Slaughterings at rural slaughterhouses during the year were as follows: Cattle, 73,931 ; calves, 1,697 ; sheep, 231,039 ; lambs, 20,998 ; swine, 26,975. 01' the animals shown in the table above as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following have gone into consumption within the Dominion : Cattle, 39,552 ; calves, 13,616 ; sheep, 356,172; lambs, 197,758; swine, 206,909. Live-stock Statistics. The 1940 sheep returns (as at 30th April) showed that sheep flocks within the Dominion had decreased by 834,216, to 31,062,875, the number of breeding-ewes decreasing by 232,642, to 19,727,657. The number of sheepowners has increased by 144, to 32,287. The number of cattle in the Dominion at 31st, January, 1940, decreased by 31,916, to a total of 4,533,032. The number of dairy cows (included in cattle totals) decreased by 3,642, to 1,850,071. The number of pigs in the Dominion was 714,001, an increase of 30,538 compared with 1939. Horses show a decrease of 3,222, the 194-0 total being 271,581. Compensation paid foe Stock and Meat condemned. Compensation amounting to £11,572 was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £24,639 for carcasses or parts of carcasses condemned for disease on slaughter for human consumption at abattoirs, meat-export slaughterhouses, &c., under the provisions of the Meat Act. Importation oe Stock. The following stock were imported during the year : Cattle, 39 ; sheep, 528 ; pigs, 12 ; horses, 8 (not including the movement of thoroughbreds between here and Australia). Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods required : Cattle, 39 ; pigs, 12. Exportation oe Stock. During the year under review the following animals were exported : Cattle, 15 ; sheep, 12,493 ; pigs, 29 ; horses 9. There was the usual movement of thoroughbred horses to and from Australia. Dairy Inspection. The registration of premises, and the supervision of the premises, plants, and herds, is an important part of the work of this Division in the control of the milk-supply to the cities and towns throughout the country. Generally speaking, a good standard has been maintained, but the very nature of the work itself makes constant supervision at all times necessary. New premises are continually being erected, additions and repairs are constantly receiving attention, and milking plants and equipment require renewal. Arrangements have been made during the year to supervise the milk-supply at the various military camps throughout the country. Some difficulty has been experienced at times in the adequate cooling of milk in the warmer months of the year. At such times the milk may not stand up to the reductase test. In all such cases an attempt has been made to improve the cooling arrangements on the farm in every way possible. The assistance rendered by the Health Department as to the bacterial count and keeping-quality of samples of milk is much appreciated. It is difficult at times to maintain an adequate milk-supply during the winter months, but suitable provision has been made to meet periods of temporary shortage from the normal producers. Composite milk samples have been collected and submitted to the biological test at the Animal Research Station, Wallaceville. Poultry. The report of Mr. F. C. Bobby, Superintendent of Poultry Husbandry, who took up this position on arrival in the Dominion last January, is submitted herewith : — Poultry Husbandry. " The past year has been one of some uncertainty and anxiety for poultry-farmers. Difficulties have been experienced in obtaining adequate and consistent supplies of the two basic poultry-foods, pollard and bran, while a shortage of labour has made efficient management upon the larger poultryfarms a serious problem. A small decrease in the industry has been caused by farms closing down as the result of owners leaving for military service. Furthermore, new ventures and extensions to established farms have been restricted by difficulties associated with obtaining building materials and equipment. In spite of these circumstances there is evidence of a good demand within the industry for day-old chicks, perching pullets, and stock cockerels, thereby indicating that there is no serious lack of confidence in the future outlook of poultry husbandry in New Zealand. " Requests by poultrymen for advice and practical help from the Department has brought about a further marked increase in instructional work. Although the instructional staff of the Department was increased two years ago by the addition of two more Poultry Instructors, poultry advisory work has increased to such an extent that those employed upon this work are unable to meet fully the requests for their services. During recent visits to the main poultry centres of the Dominion I have been impressed by the tributes paid by poultrymen to these Instructors for the assistance they have given. Undoubtedly the continuous effort by poultrymen to obtain high production demands a high standard in stock and efficiency in management. The Department has given valuable assistance.

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