1382
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. [Ост. 8

Name and Address of Owner. No. of Sheep.
Mowatt, K. C., Middlehurst 14,600
McMahon, P., Kaikoura 120
McRae, P. R., Blairich 29,000
McDonald, Starborough 200
McCallum, A., Blenheim 300
Murray, Spring Creek 450
Murphy, C., Spring Creek 600
McCallum, J., Blenheim 76
McCallum, D., Blenheim 72
McDonald, George, Wairau Valley 72
Murphy, S., Spring Creek 60
Matthews, R., Pelorus 240
Newman, John, Kaituna 500
Neale,, Picton 50
O'Leary, J., Blenheim 40
Otterson, H., Mount Gladstone. 6,784
O'Donnell, James, Kaikoura 480
O'Sullivan, L., Kaituna 150
O'Donnell, J. L., Kaikoura 75
O'Dwyer, P., Spring Creek 176
O'Dwyer, C., Spring Creek 200
Pike, W., Blenheim 60
Peoples, P., Kaikoura 320
Peoples, John, Kaikoura 100
Parsons Brothers, Kaikoura 1,100
Parker Brothers, Blenheim 745
Powick,, Tua Marina 80
Paul, E., Moorlands 1,452
Phillips,, Blenheim 52
Reeves, Mrs., Spring Creek 150
Redwood,, Vernon 22,640
Rogerson,, Kaikoura 200
Renwick, Thomas, Delta 5,542
Renwick,, Dumgree... 12,150
Rose, John, Blenheim 130
Richmond, A. J., Richmond Brook 16,704
Rutland, -, Pelorus 120
Reamington,, Kaituna 450
Randle,, Kaituna 200
Redwood, J. J., Kaikoura 60
Rousin, J., Kaikoura 270
Korison, J. L., Kaikoura 50
Redwood, Thomas, Burley 3,400
Redwood, Charles, Riverlands 1,750
Seymour, A. P., Meadowbank 21,277
Sheat, Joseph, Blenheim 48
Sutherland, W. A. D., Spring Creek 130
Sullivan, D., Kaikoura 145
Spencer, J. H., Kaikoura 200
Soper, William, Spring Creek 300
Storey, George, Renwick Town 63
Standen, James, Picton 400
Sinclair, J., Blenheim, 240
Shroder, Mrs., Kaikoura 450
Smith, W., Kaikoura 5,330
Smith, W. G., Kaikoura 250
Smith, W. D., Kaikoura 200
Stafford and Hodson, Fairfield Downs 11,200
Stafford, H. H., Upton Fells 24,000
Soper, R., Spring Creek 60
Selmes and Barnett, Tua Marina 863
Tinline, R., Kaikoura 2,500
Taylor, R., Kaikoura 400
Teschemaker, C., Avondale 13,545
Trolove, F. W., Clarence 24,000
Terrell, F., Blenheim 6,019
Thompson, James, Picton 50
Thomas,, Picton 457
Ward, Joseph, Kaikoura. 102
Ward, Felix, Wreskin 44,375
Wallace, J., Kaikoura ... 630
Weston, J., Picton 5,130
Williams, H. D., Birch Hill 450
Watt, C. F., Lansdowne 21,988
Whedon,, Blenheim 7,435
Wilson and Reader, Pelorus 100
Western, C., Queen Charlotte Sound 150
Webster, Picton 138
Warner, R., Picton 6
Wallace, W., Kaikoura 150
Watson, S., Renwick Town 1,000
Wyatt, John, Blenheim 80
707,100

Sheep Inspector's Office, Christchurch.
SIR,—I have the honor to forward a report upon the
state of the flocks in the Sheep District of Canterbury
for the year ending 31st December, 1878.

The approximate number of sheep on that date is
3,350,000. Of these, 1,750,000 were depastured on
freehold land and 1,600,000 on runs, against a return
of the previous year of 1,411,510 on freehold land
and 1,837,738 on runs.

The following statement shows the comparative
increase and decrease from the year 1864 to 1878 :—

The returns disclose the fact that, out of the large
number of sheepowners in the Sheep District of
Canterbury, nearly three-fourths own a less number
than 500 sheep, the proportions of ownership being
as under :—

During the past twelve months the number of
sheep imported into the Sheep District of Canterbury
has been 24,636—viz., by sea, 716; and by land,
from Nelson, 1,974; from Otago, 21,543; and from
Westland, 403; against an importation of 28,444, in
the previous twelve months.

The flocks in the district continue free from scab;
and I have every hope that with due watchfulness
they may remain so; but the extreme length of the
northern boundary, and the state of the flocks in a
considerable portion of the Amuri Subdivision, is a
constant source of anxiety. Considerable danger
may at any time arise should sheep purchased in
Canterbury be taken to the Amuri for the purpose
of stocking country north of the Waiau-au River, as
their tendency will be to make back to the country
on which they were bred. With respect to this, I
may mention that the Amuri Inspector has received
the strictest instructions to exercise the greatest
vigilance in carrying out clause 46 of "The Sheep
Act, 1878," which provides that no sheep shall be
driven through any infected run.

I regret to say that a considerable number of the
long-woolled sheep are more or less affected with lice,
but I trust that, with the power given under clause
68, "Sheep Act, 1878," and which is being exercised
by the Inspectors, I may be able to report more
favourably in this respect next year.

Attention is again drawn to the large area of
Crown lands alienated in the past twelve months,
from which cause a large increase in the number of
sheepowners may be looked for, and also to the
division of many estates into properties of smaller
size, which necessitates an increase of work to the
staff of Inspectors.

The lambing has been a fair one, but the extreme
everity of the past winter in the back country will