H.—29.

For further purposes of comparison the following table, showing the killings of sheep and lambs at meat-export slaughterhouses over four periods, Ist October to 31st March, indicates the stock killed from the beginning of each season to the 31st March: —

The figures show an increase of 614,188 sheep (of which 236,163 were ewes) and an increase of 413,882 lambs compared with the same period last year. The following are the numbers of each class of stock slaughtered under direct inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1939 : Cattle, 504,426 ; calves, 1,011,915 ; sheep, 3,933,364 ; lambs, 9,890,806 ; and swine, 984,502. The table below shows the class of premises at which this stock was slaughtered : —

Stock slaughtered at ordinary slaughterhouses during the year was as follows : Cattle, 84,346 ; calves, 2,053; sheep, 220,563; lambs, 19,976 ; swine, 28,334. Carcasses of pork killed and dressed by farmers, sent into butchers' shops and small factories, and examined by departmental officers numbered 18,951 In connection with the animals shown in the tables above as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following are returned as having gone into consumption within the Dominion : Cattle, 33,427 ; calves, 100,273; sheep, 244,881 ; lambs, 137,146 ; swine, 182,244. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned. Compensation to the amount of £16,137 Bs. 3d. was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £25,794 2s. 7d. for carcasses or parts of carcasses condemned for disease on slaughtering for human consumption at abattoirs, meat-export slaughterhouses, &c., under the provisions of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act. Importation op Stock. The following stock were imported during the year : Cattle, 33 ; sheep, 839 ; pigs, 24 ; horses, 18. Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods required : Cattle, 33 ; sheep 14 ; pigs, 24 ; horses, 12 (trotters from the United States of America). Exportation op Stock. During the year under review the following animals were exported : Sheep, 10,742 ; cattle, 97 ; pigs, 22 ; horses, 6. There was the usual movement of thoroughbred horses to and from Australia. Poultry. Present-day practice of more or less intensive methods of poultry-keeping, combined with the ever-increasing demands required of the laying bird, accentuate the necessity for a greater degree of vigilance on the part of the poultry-keeper to maintain the health and constitution of his birds. Disease follows in the train of weakened constitution, and, failing an enlightened outlook in the breeding, feeding, and general management, failure must be the ultimate result. During the past few years the incidence of disease has shown a tendency to increase, and as it is realized that control must be directed to the management of the flocks 5 the instructional staff of the Department has been increased by the appointment of two additional Instructors, one of whom has been, placed at Dunedin and the other at Auckland, in order that poultrymen may be assisted on the instructional side to prevent the onset of disease in their flocks. I append hereunder the report of the Chief Poultry Instructor: — " The industry kept the Dominion supplied with eggs and poultry-meats, and a greater number of eggs was shipped overseas than was the case during the previous season. However, it cannot be claimed that the industry has made a great deal of advancement during the past twelve months. This may have been due to the fact that the prices of poultry-foods have been high, Poultry-foods have at times been difficult to obtain.

3—H. 29.

17

Stock. 1935-36. ! 1936-37. 1937-38. 1938-39. j I_ | Sheep .. .. .. 1,287,331 1,276,234 1,748,035 2,362,223 Of which Ewes were.. .. .. 471,662 588,805 942,380 1,178,543 Lambs .. .. .. 6,269,694 6,536,408 7,040,149 7,454,031

Stock. I Abattoirs. Meat-export Slaughterhouses. Cattle .. .. .. .. .. 173,291 331,135 Calves .. .. .. .. .. 79,582 932,333 Sheep .. .. .. .. .. 641,445 3,291,919 Lambs .. .. .. .. .. 110,070 9,780,736 Swine .. .. .. .. .. 179,496 805,006