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Province at the same date consisted of about 35,000 head of great Cattle, and 700,000 Sheep.

3rd. During the year 1862 upwards of 80,000 Store Wethers were imported to the Province.

4th. During the present year the importation of Store Wethers has not exceeded 10,000.

5th. In the beginning of the present year, 1863, there were in the Province about 180,000 Fat and Store Wethers.

6th. The number of Cattle imported during the past 12 months have been as follows — viz., from Wellington, 2000 fat and 1018 store; Port Albert, 800 fat; and a few small lots from Canterbury.

7th. The number of cattle of both sexes, and including working bullocks now in the Province, is estimated at 30,000 head, showing a deficit of about 5000 head since the month of August, 1863.

8th. The number of fat cattle now in the Province is estimated at 2000 only.

9th. The high prices which have prevailed have induced the settlers, in many instances, to sell for killing purposes their females as well as male stock both of sheep and cattle.

10th. The increase of the female cattle at present in the Province is not considered more than sufficient to provide the necessary number of bullocks for working purposes.

11th. The present population of the Province is estimated at 50,000; but it will not be prudent to estimate the average population during the ensuing 12 months at less than 60,000. Taking that number as a basis upon which to calculate the consumption of beef and mutton during a similar period, the quantity required would be of sheep about 240,000 and cattle about 9000.

12th. It will, I think, be thus seen that unless importation of both fat and store cattle and sheep takes place during the ensuing 12 months, the most serious consequences must inevitably ensue.

An enquiry into the circumstances of Wellington, Canterbury, Southland, and other New Zealand Provinces will, I feel assured, lead to the conclusion that supplies from these markets to the requisite extent are not obtainable. It is also worthy of observation, that the supplies already obtained, or likely to be obtained from Gipps’ Land are altogether insufficient to meet our requirements. Nothing, therefore, appears left to me but to press upon His Excellency’s Government the urgent necessity for removing the restrictions which exist against the importation of cattle to Otago from Tasmania, and from those ports in Australia which are the outlets of districts within which the disease called pleuro-pneumonia has never made its appearance. The ports from which I would specially suggest that importations of cattle should be allowed, are Launceston and Hobart Town (in Tasmania), Wide Bay, Moreton Bay, and Twofold Bay (in Australia). I am informed that in Tasmania the disease has never appeared, and that importations to that colony are judiciously watched; also that the districts connected with the other ports I have named claim equal exemption from its presence; while they are removed from infected districts by such formidable physical barriers, that the communication of the disease to them through contagion is extremely improbable.

While fully recognising the dangers which would result from a total removal at Otago of the restrictions which exist upon the importation of stock from the neighbouring colonies — a danger in which to some extent neighbouring Provinces would participate, and against which they are entitled to reasonable protection — still I believe that by a careful system of inspection at the ports of shipment and disembarkation (which it ought not to be difficult to effect), no greater risks would be incurred than those incident to importation from Gipps’ Land, from which, as yet, no evil effects have resulted.

I have only to add that I trust His Excellency’s Government will take a favourable view of the recommendations which I have felt it my duty to make, and to express a hope that no unnecessary delay may prevent their adoption.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

JOHN HYDE HARRIS.

OTAGO HARBOR.

THE following correspondence is published for general information:—

Admiralty, 29th Dec., 1862.

Sir,— I have the honor to enclose for your information a Report by the Marine Board of the loss of the barque “Genevieve,” Turpie, master, at the entrance of the Port of Otago, on the 17th January, 1862, which has been officially reported to the Admiralty by the Board of Trade.

I have to request your attention to the remarks made therein on the Admiralty Chart of Otago, No. 2411, and I should be glad if you will inform me if there is sufficient ground for them, and particularly if I should wish to be informed —