H.—29.

PIGS. The number of pigs slaughtered for the season 1930-31 was 479,500, as compared with 524,753 for the previous season, a decrease of 45,253. The amount exported, 150,025 cwt., as-compared with 155,288 cwt. for the previous season, shows a decrease of 5,263 cwt. Even with a less amount exported, the consumption within the Dominion is considerably short of the previous year. This can be accounted for to some extent by the reduced purchasing-power of the community and the relatively lower price of other meats. Pig-breeding as an adjunct to the dairying industry has not received the consideration it deserves. Ever since its inception those engaged in the industry have only succeeded in supplying the wants of the Dominion, with the exception of a small margin for export. The system hitherto in vogue of purchasing pigs intended for local and export trade has not been altogether favourable to the pig-producer nor did it stimulate the raising of the standard of carcass required by the consuming public or the export trade. For the most part pigs were purchased on the hoof or by weight over the scales at a fixed rate, and but little consideration is given to type or quality and a better price for high quality. During the past season an attempt on voluntary lines has been made to purchase on the hooks on type and weight. This, while not meeting with the entire approval of many farmers, is a step in the right direction, and will ultimately lead to the production of a better class of carcass and to a better price for those who succeed in producing the right type of pig. If our export trade is to be increased farmers must pay still greater attention to the type and quality of the carcass produced. Other countries are doing so, why not New Zealand ? Much more interest is now being taken in this, and the field staff of the Division is conducting advisory propaganda regarding it. During the past season pigs on the whole have been fairly healthy, and there has been no disease amongst them requiring special mention. A few cases of necrosis due to insanitary surroundings, a number of cases of pneumonia due to cold, and a number were found suffering from paralysis due to wrong feeding. Under improved conditions good recovery was made in the majority of cases. Live-stock Statistics. A further substantial increase in the numbers of sheep held in the Dominion was revealed in the returns collected as at the 20th April, 1930. The returns show an increase of 1,789,905, bringing the number of sheep up to 30,841,287. Of this number the increase in breeding-ewes was 956,020, making a total of 17,564,175 breeding-ewes. The number of sheepowners now show as 30,022, being an increase of 3,310. A very heavy slaughter of sheep and lambs took place subsequent to the 30th April, 1930, and consequent on an estimated reduced lambing return this will no doubt be reflected in the statistics for 1931. Cattle show an increase in all classes but one —that of steers two years old and over—compared with the previous year's figures. The total for 1930 is 3,765,6.68, including 1,440,321 dairy cows, the latter being an increase of 69,258. A further decrease has taken place in the number of swine in the Dominion, the total number as at 30th January, 1930, being 487,793 a decrease of 68,939. The number of horses shown are 297,195, being a decrease of 1,785 when compared with the previous year. Slaughter of Stock. The lambing season was not so satisfactory as has pertained for the past few years, the estimated lambing percentage showing a reduction for the Dominion of 4-88. This reduced lambing was most marked in the Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay districts. The numbers of sheep and lambs slaughtered during the year were again very heavy, especially was this so in the case of lambs. The respective numbers of stock slaughtered at registered premises were : Sheep, 3,563,952 ; lambs, 8,092,795 ; cattle, 326,136 ; swine, 450,490 ; calves, 551,762. 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 the 31st March :—

These figures stow a decrease of 311,057 sheep, but an increase of 899,597 lambs compared with the same period last year.

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I Year ending 31st ' Year ending 31st T _ btock - ; March, 1931. ! March, 1930. Increase. Decrease. Cattle .. .. .. .. 124,323 138,467 .. 14,144 Calves.. .. .. .. 504,222 393,513 110,709 Sheep .. .. .. .. 2,636,820 2,598,510 38,310 Lambs.. .. .. .. 7,896,328 6,462,783 1,433,545 Swine .. .. .. .. 273,489 279,230 .. 5,471

Stock. 1927-28. 1928-29. 1929-30. 1930-31. Sheep .. .. .. 1,580,024 1,421,741 1,982,550 1,671,493 Lambs .. .. .. 4,093,750 4,093,332 4,431,424 5,331,021