Jumb. 103.

1377

SUPPLEMENT
TO THE
NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
OF THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1879.

Published by Authority.

WELLINGTON, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1879.

Part I.—Annual Sheep Reports for Year ended 31st
December, 1878.—Notice No. 16.

Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 30th September, 1879.

THE following reports by the Inspectors of Sheep
for the Sheep Districts of Napier, Wellington
(part), Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury, and
Otago, for the year 1878, are published for general
information.

G. S. WHITMORE.

Sheep Inspector's Office, Napier.
SIR,—I have the honor to forward my report for
the year 1878, and enclose the sheep returns, which
show an increase of 119,611 sheep over the previous
year.

The enclosed returns comprise 810,550 ewes,
668,780 wethers, and 16,438 rams, or a total of
1,495,768 sheep over six months old in the Hawke's
Bay Sheep District on 1st May, 1878, as against
713,600 ewes, 648,246 wethers, and 14,311 rams, or
a total of 1,376,157 sheep in May, 1877.

Although feed is now showing up in lightly-
stocked country, the past season has been charac-
terized by extreme drought, both sheep and cattle
having suffered in a degree formerly unknown here,
and an unusually high rate of mortality has been the
consequence.

Notwithstanding that the sheep returns of next
month will embrace about 100,000 sheep in the Patea
country, recently annexed to this sheep district, still,
beyond this addition, no very material increase can
be expected.

Since the date of my last report no sheep have
been introduced overland for this district. The
imports by sea have been limited to sheep for stud
purposes, and comprise 393 long-wool rams, 53 long-
wool ewes, 530 merino rams, and 620 merino ewes,

or a total of 1,596 sheep. The exports during the
same period, coastwise and overland to neighbouring
sheep districts, amount to about 70,000; and about
200,000 have been absorbed by provincial consump-
tion and boiling down.

The lambing of last season was under the average,
and the clip light, but generally sound.

The present depressed state of the wool market,
and lack of money accommodation, is exercising a
deterrent influence on the hitherto marked improve-
ment of station properties in the way of fencing,
and sowing of English grasses.

I have again much pleasure in reporting all the
flocks in this district free from scab, and otherwise
healthy.

I have already reported the damage done by the
recent extensive bush fires to the protective fences
at the southern boundary, and will report further as
to the necessary repairs required so soon as I can
make an inspection of the locality.

Whilst regretting, in consequence of the new law
prohibiting Inspectors from being sheepowners, my
enforced relinquishment of the position I have so
long held, it will be a source of some satisfaction
to me to hand over to my successor this the
most important and only clean sheep district in
the North Island; and in concluding this report
I have great pleasure in testifying to the uniform
kindness I have received from the sheepowners
in the performance of my duties, and to their
ever-ready assistance and cordial co-operation in
carrying out the provisions of the various Acts is to
be ascribed in no small degree the immunity from
scab which our flocks have so long enjoyed.

I have, &c.,
G. PEACOCK,
Chief Inspector of Sheep.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.