H—29

The grading of meat intended for local consumption has been carried out at abattoirs and freezing-works. Although some difficulties have been experienced, the work of grading is generally satisfactory to the trade. The total numbers of stock slaughtered at registered premises (rural slaughterhouses included) for the year ended 31st March, 1947, were : sheep, 4,726,167 ; lambs, 11,775,144; cattle, 661,918 ; calves, 1,037,302 ; swine, 593,474.

The table below shows the numbers of stock slaughtered during the past year at freezing-works only :

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

The following table shows the number of stock slaughtered under direct inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1947, at abattoirs and meat-export slaughterhouses :

Slaughterings at rural slaughterhouses during the year were as follows : cattle, 59,163 ; calves, 945 ; sheep, 235,148 ; lambs, 21,668 ; swine, 13,836. Of the animals shown in the table above as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following have gone into consumption within the Dominion : cattle, 51,536 ; calves, 26,397 ; sheep, 343,727 ; lambs, 173,849 ; swine, 185,120. Compensation paid for Stock and Meat condemned Compensation amounting to £21,305 15s. was paid out during the year for animals condemned in the field under the provisions of the Stock Act, and £19,906 lis. 7d. 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, 28; sheep, 199 ; pigs, 12 ; horses, 80 (including the movement of thoroughbreds between here iand Australia). Of the above animals, the following were placed in quarantine for the respective periods required : cattle, 28 ; pigs, 12 ; sheep, 14.

14

Year ended Increase or Decrease. Class of Stock. 31st March, 1947. 31st March, 1946. Cattle Calves Sheep Lambs Swine 438,095 999,526 3,659,296 11,620,861 481,545 507,440 941,660 3,939,750 12,518,554 628,047 69,345 (decrease). 57,866 (increase). 280,454 (decrease). 897,693 146,502

Stock. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. Sheep 1,937,477 1,894,985 2,594,571 2,348,620 Of which were ewes 1,499,798 1,349,074 1,967,187 1,729,109 Lambs 7,407,317 7,119,633 8,735,367 8,246,064

Class of Stock. Abattoirs. Meat-export Slaughterhouses. Total Slaughterings under Inspection. Cattle 164,660 438,095 602,755 Calves 36,831 999,526 1,036,357 Sheep 831,723 3,659,296 4,491,019 Lambs 132,615 11,620,861 11,753,476 Swine 98,093 481,545 579,638