H—3oa

As pointed out in last year's report, the egg subsidy would not be withheld for the extension of poultry veterinary instructional services. This has meant a direct gain to-poultry-farmers of 4d. per dozen for one week during the flush production period. Eggs transferred to Wellington from other floors for the period ended 30th September,. 1947, compared with the same period for 1946, are as follows :

Chilling As egg-production is of a seasonal nature the Division is most anxious, in common, with larger-egg-producing countries such as South Africa, United States, Canada, and Australia, to carry on as extensively as possible with its chilled-egg programme in orderto ensure an equitable all-the-year-round supply of eggs in shell for consumer use. Under present conditions it has been difficult to aim at any larger-scale programme, as the main desire has been to release as many fresh eggs in shell for sale to consumers during the flush period. Then, too, any particular larger-scale chilled-egg programme is out of triequestion until such time as suitable cool-storage facilities are available in the heavy-egg-production areas. The storage accommodation in Christchurch, for example, is very limited, while, on the other hand, a considerable quantity of eggs could be held in cool. store in Wellington without much difficulty. It is true that some adverse criticism has been received in regard to the price and quality of chilled eggs placed on the market during the last two seasons, but the Division is confident that in time, given the necessary facilities, not only will the quality of chilled eggs be comparable with fresh, but with increasing quantities of eggs chilled the price per dozen will be considerably less than at present. The quantities chilled- during the past two years and the estimated target for this year are as follows :

12

Twelve Months ended 30th September, From 1945-4G. 1946-47. Auckland 143,76.-) 66,030 Hamilton 6,600 20,160 52,710 Tauranga 19,020 Gisborne 59,625 71,087 Hawke's Bay .. 113,587 144,385 New Plymcmtli 209,251 135,120 Wanganui 109,385 101,198 Manawatu 101,731 73,241 Carterton 205,072 159,707 Blenheim 80,559 82,114 Nelson 12,702 7,650 Christchurch . . 241,530 193,640 Ashburton 1,500 13,200 Timaru 57,060 62,363 Dunediu 40,230 1,361,387 1,222,835

— 1945-4G. 1940-47. Estimated, 1947-48. Auckland Wanganui Wellington Christ church Dozen. 125,060 49,230 32,400 47,250 Dozen. 108,220 27,510 32,990 36.270 ] >ozeii. 100,000 40,000 25,000 40.000 253,940 204,990 205,000