H—29

At several works the labour problem is still difficult and the managements find trouble in maintaining a high standard of dressing of the carcasses. The grading of carcasses intended for local consumption has been carried out with general satisfaction to the trade and the consumer. The total numbers of stock slaughtered at registered premises (rural slaughterhouses included) were: sheep, 4,474,743 ; lambs, 12,745,282 ; cattle, 746,480 ; calves, 1,102,790; swine, 634,858. The following table shows the numbers of stock slaughtered during the past two years at freezing-works only : —-

The following table shows killings of sheep and lambs at meat-export slaughterhouses for four seasons, Ist October to 31st March:—

The following table shows the number of stock slaughtered under direct inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1948, at abattoirs and meat-export slaughterhouses :

Slaughterings at rural slaughterhouses during the year were as follows: cattle, 59,098 ; calves, 877 ; sheep, 237,426 ; lambs, 20,032 ; swine, 10,235. Of the animals shown in the table as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following have gone into consumption within the Dominion: cattle, 52,813; calves, 33,023 ; sheep, 350,546 ; lambs, 189,846 ; swine, 222,759. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned Compensation amounting to £19,714 Is. 3d. was payable during the year for animals condemned in the field under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £19,455 6s. 6d. 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.

54

Year ended Increase or Decrease. Class of Stock. 31st March, 1948. 31st March, 1947. Cattle Calves Sheep Lambs Swine 516,660 1,065,037 3,383,099 12,595,950 520,250 438,095 999,526 3,659,296 11,620,861 481,545 78,565 (increase). 65,511 276,197 (decrease). 975,089 (increase). 38,705

Stock. 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1947-48. Sheep 1,894,985 2,594,571 2,348,620 2,232,301 Of which ewes were 1,349,074 1,967,187 1,729,109 1,703,989 Lambs 7,119,633 8,735,367 8,246,064 9,243,204

Class of Stoclc. Abattoirs. Meat-export Slaughterhouses. Total Slaughterings under Inspection. Cattle .. .. 170,722 516,660 687,382 Calves 36,876 1,065,037 1,101,913 Sheep .. .. 854,218 3,383,099 4,237,317 Lambs.. .. 129,300 12,595,950 12,725,250 Swine .. .. 104,373 520,250 624,623