H,— 29

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 31st March : —

These figures show a decrease of 11,097 sheep and an increase of 266,714 lambs compared with the same period last year. Following are the numbers of each class of animal slaughtered under direct inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1936 : Cattle, 417,706 ; calves, 1,043,855 ; sheep, 2,687,518 ; lambs, 9,274,839 ; swine, 1,035,347. The following table indicates the respective classes of premises at which these animals were slaughtered : —

Stock slaughtered at ordinary slaughterhouses during the year ended 31st March, 1935, was as follows: Cattle, 88,435 ; calves, 1,972 ; sheep, 213,797 ; lambs, 19,883 ; swine, 27,163. Carcasses of pork killed and dressed by farmers, sent into butchers' shops and small factories, and examined by Departmental officers, numbered 25,488. In connection with the animals shown in the above tables as slaughtered at meat-export slaughter houses, the following numbers are returned as having gone into consumption within the Dominion : Cattle, 34,754 ; calves, 99,772 ; sheep, 187,810 ; lambs, 91,300 ; swine, 139,894. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned. Compensation to the amount of £12,944 was paid out during the year for animals condemned m the field for disease under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £26,281 foi 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, 40 ; sheep, 414 ; pigs, 5 ; horses, 24 (draught). Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods required : Cattle, 41 ; sheep, 7 ; pigs, 5. Exportation op Stock. During the year under review the following animals were exported : Sheep, 6,113 ; cattle, 15 ; pigs, 52 ; horses, 22 (draught). There was the usual movement of thoroughbred horses to and from Australia. Poultry. The poultry industry of the Dominion is one that presents very great difficulties in the attempts at bringing about a better system of organization, as in spite of the activities of the Poultry Board and the Producers' Federation, which it set up, the progress has not been as satisfactory as one would wish. Throughout the year the health of flocks has generally been good, but several instances of coccidiosis, especially in the North Island, came under notice.

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c<x i Ye&r ended Ye£tr ended j T~)ppt*p?1iRp, st0ck - j 31st March, 1937. , 31st March, 1936. , InCTease " j decrease. Cattle .. .. ■■ 244,834 305,868 .. 61,034 Calves 957,141 986,145 .. 29,004 Sheep .. .. 2,121,925 1,882,446 239,479 Lambs 9,180,482 8,564,482 616,000 Swine .. .. 807,041 768,976 38,065

stock. I 1933-34. 1934-35. : 1935-36. 1 1936-37. ! ! ! Sheep 1,293,617 1,735,237 1,287,331 1,276,234 Lambs .. .. 6,030,575 6,626,315 6,269,694 6,536,408

. Meat-export Bacon Stock. Abattoirs. Slaughterhouses. Factories. Cattle 172,872 244,834 Calves .. •• 86,714 957,141 Sheep .. 565,593 2,121,925 Lambs .. .. .. 94,357 9,180,482 Swine . .. •• 170,063 807,041 58,243