156

SHEEP AND CATTLE RETURNS.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs the publication of the following Annual Reports and Returns.

H. J. MILLER,
For Provincial Treasurer.

2nd December, 1864.

Sheep Inspector’s Department,
Dunedin, 29th November, 1864.

Sir,—I have the honor to forward the Annual Return of Sheep in the Province of Otago, for the year ending 30th September, 1864.

The enclosed list shows a total of one million two hundred and five thousand four hundred and fifty-one (1,205,451) which consists of 985,208 ewes, and 220,243 wethers, exclusive of this year’s lambs, being too young to be returned.

Since the end of September, 1863, there have been brought into the Province 117,811 sheep; landed at Port Chalmers 45,000 wethers, and 30,039 ewes; from Canterbury and Southland, 29,622 wethers, and 13,150 ewes; about one-third of the male sheep were sold as fat, the remainder stores.

Comparing the returns of this year with last, there appears to be a considerable decrease in the consumption of mutton. About 165,000 sheep last year were killed in the Province, while during the past twelve months I do not think the number exceeded 120,000.

If we take the number of wethers (220,243) now in the country, with those we may expect from Southland and Canterbury, also the culls of our old and coarse ewes which will likely be sold to the butcher, it would give a supply of mutton for the next eighteen months to the present population, independent of what may be imported from the Australian Colonies, which is certain to be large.

The long continued frosts through the winter prevented the stock from fattening, the quality brought to the market was very inferior, but as soon as the shearing (which is now general) is over, the supply is expected to improve and the meat get better. Although the sheep were rather poor, they were in sufficient healthy condition to grow wool; the clip will be equal in quantity and quality to any of the best years, the lambing equally good, many Stations having obtained 80, 90, and 100 per cent.

The yearly returns show 115,675 diseased. This large number may be accounted for from the fact that many of the Settlers are in the habit of purchasing newly imported sheep, and on arriving at their Stations dressing them in the most careless manner, making it a mere form. Every Sheep Farmer must or ought to know how difficult it is to detect disease upon newly-imported sheep, particularly amongst those which have been heavily dressed before shipment. It is a matter of no consequence by whom the examination may be made; although a clean certificate may have been obtained, I would strongly urge upon all parties purchasing such sheep to dress them with as much care and attention as if they were diseased, otherwise they may as well leave them alone. As an instance of this, I may mention that nearly 80,000 have broken out in one district, within the last few months, which would have been prevented had the measures I have already pointed out been taken.

I have given instructions to the Officers of my Department to make every endeavor to reduce this number, and I trust before the end of Summer (should no new importations arrive), to be able to report a considerable decrease of infected flocks.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

WM. LOGIE,
Chief Inspector of Sheep.

To the Provincial Treasurer,
Dunedin.

RETURN SHOWING THE NUMBER AND CONDITION OF THE SHEEP IN THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO, 30TH SEPTEMBER, 1864.