H.—29.

Stock slaughtered at ordinary slaughterhouses during the year ended 31st, March, 1935, was as follows : Cattle, 79,121 ; calves, 2,071 ; sheep, 207,619 ; lambs, 22,032 ; swine, 25,379. Carcasses of pork killed and dressed by farmers, sent into butchers' shops and small factories, and examined by departmental officers numbered 32,607. In connection with the animals shown in the above tables as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses the following numbers are returned as having gone into consumption within the Dominion : Cattle, 15,399 ; calves, 5,659 ; sheep, 122,656 ; lambs, 81,663 ; swine, 56,801. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned. Compensation to the amount of £8,746 was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field for disease under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £15,026 for carcasses or parts of carcasses condemned for disease on examination at the time of slaughter at abattoirs, meat-export slaughterhouses, &c., under the provisions of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act. Importation of Stock. The following stock was imported during the year : Cattle, 20 ; sheep, 484 ; pigs, 15 ; horses 13 (9 draught). Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods required : Cattle, 19 ; sheep, 14 ; pigs, 15 ; horses, 4 ; and, in addition, 23 dogs. Exportation of Stud Stock. During the year under review the following animals were exported : Sheep, 1,353 ; cattle, 299 ; pigs, 25 ; horses (draught), 112. There was the usual movement of thoroughbred horses to and from Australia. Poultry. Indications point to increased activity in the poultry industry, and it is safe to say that the production of eggs will be considerably increased in the coming season. It is satisfactory also to note that the opportunity to organize given under the Poultry-runs Eegistration Act, 1933, is being actively prosecuted by the Poultry Board set up under that Act. In view of the fact that the bulk of the eggs marketed come from comparatively small flocks and that producers cannot individually become exporters, the necessity for some stable collective system of export during the flush season makes organization a paramount necessity. During the past season 11,527 cases of eggs (30 dozen each) were exported to the United Kingdom, as compared with 12,107 cases for the previous season. The difficulty of securing suitable shipping space, particularly in respect to Otago, accounted for the fact that more eggs were not exported. Export of large quantities of eggs under market prices ruling abroad during the flush laying-season here can hardly be expected, but in order to supply the local market with eggs all the year round there results a summer surplus which would seriously depress the local market if adequate export was not arranged. It has still to be recognized that the poultryman's best market is the local one, and while it is necessary to unload the surplus by export it is also incumbent that the local market be fostered and a greater consumption of eggs be encouraged. The introduction of Mammoth incubators of up to as high as 15,000-egg capacity is an indication of the great progress that has taken place from nature's provision of the hen and her brood of chickens, and demonstrates how quickly the poultry industry could be built up to an over-production point. The Chief Poultry Instructor, referring to the advent of these huge capacity incubators and their possible effect on the industry, makes the following comment: — " An item of interest regarding the development of the industry is the introduction into this country of the Mammoth incubators, and one machine with a capacity of 15,000 eggs, and several of a 10-000-egg capacity, have been installed. The owners of these machines are catering for custom hatching business, a branch of the industry that is becoming popular. " So long as these machines are in the hands of conscientious poultry-keepers who will see that only eggs from selected stock are used for hatching purposes they will be an asset to the industry ; but reports from other countries indicate that the introduction of the Mammoth incubators has been the means of distributing a poor class of stock, owing to some poultry-keepers setting eggs from unselected breeding-birds and selling the chickens at a cheaper rate. " Owing to the fact that diseases amongst poultry are more prevalent now than was the case a few years ago, and more cull pullets are to be seen in auction-marts, the question of something being done to check the sale of inferior stock is a matter that may have to be considered in the near future." The Wallaceville Poultry Station is still serving a useful purpose. The demand for stock has shown an increase, and the Overseer reports that the number of visitors seeking advice has been greater than in previous years. Some useful investigational work was carried out, and results were made available through the Journal. The stock on the farm built up from New Zealand birds is of good quality, but in order that it might be maintained, arrangements are in hand for some fresh blood from Australia. It is also proposed to introduce sone Langshans to the station. This section of the report can hardly be concluded without a reference to the early retirement on superannuation of Mr. E. C. Brown, who for over twenty years occupied the position of Chief Poultry Instructor in this Department with distinction and acceptance to the Department and producers alike. Mr. Brown's personality will be missed on all occasions when poultrymen meet, as will also his advice and guidance.

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