FT.—3B

6

It is anticipated that a sufficient clearance will be made by the end of the year to enable freezing-works to treat without great difficulty all fat stock offering during the following season. The following table shows the number of insulated steamer's which ha.vc sailed from the Dominion during the years 1914-19 inclusive, together with their total insulated carrying-capacity : —- Total Number of Insulated Capacity Year. Steamers. (60lb. Freight Carcases). 1914 .. .. .. .. 99 8,800,700 1915 .. .. .. ..84 7,682,000 1916 .. .. .. ..78 7,322,500 1917 .. .. .. ..62 5,626,350 1918 .. .. .. ..52 4,926,300 1919 .. .. .. ..79 7,694,000 The New Zealand Overseas Shipowners' Committee, which, has been responsible for the allocation of space in overseas steamers loading in the Dominion, has continued to meet daily, and has carried out its onerous duties with strict impartiality according to the requirements of the various districts. Produce in Store awaiting Shipment. The foflowing table shows the quantities of meat, cheese*, and butter in store and awaiting shipment on the 31st March, for the last five years : —

Shipment op Lambs sold to United States ok 1 America. Sales have been made by the Imperial Government to the United States of America of lambs in store in New Zealand for shipment as under : — a. Number of Steamer. n Carcases. "Northumberland" .. .. .. .. 27,290 "Armagh" .. .. .. .. .. 251,798 "Suffolk" .. .. .. .. .. 222,568 501,656 to be followed by the s.s. " Surrey," " Durham," " Somerset," and " Hororata." WOOL. Kequisition and Disposal. Greasy Clip. The method of purchase followed for the 1919-20 clip was on the same lines as that adopted during the previous years. Valuation. Valuations have continued to be carried out with general satisfaction to growers, there being very few appeals. Kemuneration paid to the valuing staff was at the same rate as last season. Valuations were ma.de at the following centres : Auckland; Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Gisbome, Napier, Wairoa, Waitara, Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Timaru, Oamaru and Invercargill.

Date. Erozen Meat (60 lb. Carcases). Oheese (Grates). Butter (Boxes). list March, 1916 ■1st March, 1917 .1st March, 1918 list March, 1919 ilst March, 1920 2,152,250 2,409,541 3,398,364 6,482,529 6,628,789 i 73,927 185,417 363,790 474,754 274,411 87,678 224,506 , * 350,315 93,729 77,482