H—29

Slaughterings at rural slaughterhouses during the year were as follows : cattle, 61,769 ; calves, 1,021 ; sheep, 233,328 ; lambs, 23,041 ; swine, 8,306. Of the animals shown in the table above as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following have gone into consumption within the Dominion : cattle, 51,388 ; calves, 20,779 ; sheep, 346,737 ; lambs, 190,927 ; swine, 200,448. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned Compensation amounting to £13,974 12s. 6d. was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £22,289 ss, 9d. for carcasses or parts of carcasses condemned for disease on slaughter for human consumption at abattoirs, meat-export slaughterhouses, &c., under the provisions of the Meat Act. Importation of Stock The following stock were imported during the year: cattle, 11 ; sheep, 245 ; pigs, 6 ; horses, 15 (not including the movement of thoroughbreds between here and Australia). Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods required : cattle, 11 ; pigs, 6 ; sheep, 19. Exportation of Stock During the year under review the following animals were exported: cattle, 51 ; sheep, 384 ; pigs, 41 ; horses, 2. There was considerable movement of thoroughbred horses to and from Australia, shipping difficulties being the main problem. Dairy Inspection Dairy inspection has been maintained on all premises registered for supply of milk and cream. It is generally agreed that producers have had difficulty in maintaining premises in first-class condition or in carrying out any extensive alterations or additions to premises owing to scarcity of materials and difficulty in finding labour to do the work. All Inspectors are agreed that producers have endeavoured to supply a first-class product, but deterioration has sometimes taken place after the product leaves the farm. A big improvement in the keeping-quality of the milk in the Christchurch district resulted from a twice-daily collection instead of once daily. Quite naturally this tended to prevent any stale milk being mixed with fresh, which otherwise might have taken place. Composite milk samples were collected from 210 herds representing 3,316 cows in the Otago district and forwarded to the Animal Research Station for the biological test for tuberculosis. Many sediment tests were taken of samples from herds, and in cases where results were unsatisfactory, instructional visits were made to the farms and a general checkup was made of the production methods adopted. Special attention was paid to the human factor, the actual milk-production methods being scrutinized, particularly udder-washing, attention to utensils, cleaning of milking-machines, cooling of milk, &c. In all cases where samples have been collected by Sanitary Inspectors of local authorities or by Inspectors of the Health Department the results of tests have been forwarded to the inspection staff. Where unsatisfactory results of tests have been found, the matter has been promptly followed through to the distributor and the producer. In the Otago district 20 new premises have been built and 20 existing premises have been reconstructed during the year. In other districts some new sheds have been erected and many improvements carried out. Freezing units have been installed in a number of sheds in the Canterbury district. The supply position has been a very difficult one during the year, particularly during the winter months and again during the drought period in the districts affected by the latter.

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