Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Dunedin, 20th September, 1865.

HIS HONOR the Superintendent directs it to be notified that he has been pleased to appoint

Mr. JOHN DUNN ATKIN

to be an Inspector of Cattle, without salary, under the “Diseased Cattle Act, 1861.”

Geo. Brodie,
Provincial Secretary.

HALF HOLIDAY.—The Provincial Government Offices will be closed at noon on Tuesday, 26th December current, for the remainder of the day.

Geo. Brodie,
Provincial Secretary.

METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS taken at Dunedin, for the month of November, 1865.
Lat. 45° 52' 11” S.; Long. 170° 31' 7” E.; altitude above sea, 550 feet.

BAROMETER, REDUCED TO 32 FAH. AND SEA LEVEL.

Mean atmospheric pressure for month ... 29.751 inches
Highest pressure (on 7th) ... 30.323 ”
Lowest pressure (on 24th) ... 29.066 ”
Range for month ... 1.257 ”

TEMPERATURE IN SHADE.

Approximate mean temperature for month ... 52.1° Fah.
Mean maximum temperature ... 61.6 ”
Mean minimum temperature ... 42.5 ”
Mean daily range of temperature ... 19.0 ”
Highest maximum temperature ... 77 ”
Lowest minimum temperature ... 37 ”
Extreme range for the month ... 40 ”

SOLAR RADIATION.
Maximum (on 10th) ... 106
Minimum (on 24th) ... 68
Mean for month ... 85

TERRESTRIAL RADIATION.
Maximum (on 12th) ... 51
Minimum (on 29th) ... 32
Mean for month ... 38

Mean degree of humidity (Saturation=100) from the observations at 9.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. ... 67.3
Mean elastic force of vapour ... 0.247 inches
Mean temperature of the dew point ... 39°.5 Fah.

Total rain fall on 19 days ... 2.747 inches
Mean amount of sky covered (overcast = 10) ... 4

WIND.
Mean velocity per day for month ... 240 miles
Greatest velocity observed for 24 hours on 25th ... 655

REMARKS.
Hail fell on 3rd.
Gales occurred on 25th and 26th.

Henry Skey.

LIST of Persons applying for relief under the “Debtors and Creditors Act, 1862.”

James Bruce, of Oamaru, Otago, Contractor.
Peter Sherwin, senior, of Dunedin, Otago, Coach-builder.
John Launcelot Shadwell Keen, of Lawrence, Tuapeka, Otago, Chemist and Druggist.
Andrew M’Kinnon, of Alexandra, Otago, Gold Miner.
George White, of Anderson’s Bay, near Dunedin, Otago, Brickmaker.
Daniel White, of Dunedin, Otago, late of Hokitika, Canterbury, Hotelkeeper.
William Clements, of Dunedin, Otago, Slaughterman.

Gordon Hughan, of the Taieri Beach, Otago, Farmer.

Robert Chapman,
Supreme Court Office,
Registrar.
Dunedin, 19th December, 1865.

In the Supreme Court of New Zealand,
Otago and Southland District.

In the matter of the Petition of WILLIAM CLEMENTS, of Dunedin, in the Province of Otago, a Debtor; and in the matter of the “Debtors and Creditors Act, 1862.”

NOTICE is hereby given, that His Honor Mr. Justice Chapman has appointed Monday, the 5th day of February, 1866, at the hour of 10 o’clock in the forenoon, at the Supreme Court House, Dunedin, for the hearing of the above Petition.

Dated this eighteenth day of December, 1865.

Howorth,
Barton & Howorth,
Solicitors for the Petitioner.

SHEEP RETURNS.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs the publication of the following Annual Report and Return.

Frederick J. Moss,
12th December, 1865.
Provincial Treasurer.

Sheep Inspector’s Department,
Dunedin, 11th December, 1865.

SIR—I have the honor to forward the Annual Return of Sheep for the Province of Otago for the year ending 30th September, 1865.

The enclosed list shows a total of one million two hundred and seventy-two thousand one hundred and thirty-five (1,272,135), of which one hundred and ninety-seven thousand one hundred and sixty-two (197,162) are wethers over two-tooth.

The importations of sheep have been very limited during the year. Landed at Port Chalmers four thousand seven hundred and sixteen (4716). Brought overland from Canterbury four thousand two hundred (4200). I have been unable to discover how many came from Southland, having received no Return from the Southern Inspector, but I believe the number to be small, probably about four thousand (4000), which, in comparison with last year, will show a difference of one hundred and four thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven (104,897).

There is also a considerable decrease in the consumption of mutton, the number of sheep killed for use of stations as per returns being eighteen thousand six hundred and thirty-nine (18,639), and for Dunedin and suburbs twenty-three thousand nine hundred and ninety-four (23,994).

The severe weather experienced during the last few months has had a very prejudicial effect on the lambing. I estimate the average percentage at not over 60, while a few flocks in favoured localities may reach 90.

The condition of the flocks generally is fair, and the clip will be equal in quantity and quality to last.

The yearly returns show sixty-nine thousand two hundred (69,200) diseased, being a reduction of forty-six thousand four hundred and seventy-five (46,475) in comparison with last year. The cause I attribute to the improved method of dipping, and the erection of proper dips, together with the careful mustering of the sheep and close supervision by the officers of the Department. I anticipate a reduction of the number diseased to at least one half in the course of the next quarter, as shearing operations are being carried on, thereby rendering dipping easier and more effectual.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Geo. Thomson,
Chief Inspector of Sheep.

To His Honor the Superintendent of Otago.