young weaners; from Southland, twelve thousand seven hundred and ten (12,710), chiefly fat sheep for the butcher; landed at Port Chalmers, two thousand six hundred and fifty-three (2,653), of which there were six hundred and twenty-seven long-woolled rams and ewes, and the remainder, 2,026 Merino rams, and a few fat wethers.

It affords me pleasure to draw His Honor’s attention to the decrease in the number of diseased sheep since my last report, there being at present eleven thousand four hundred and ninety-five (11,495), compared with 69,200 last year, a reduction of 57,705; and I have every reason to believe that the number will be still further reduced in a very short time.

I deemed it advisable to have a notice inserted in the Government Advertising Sheet, calling the attention of Runholders to Section nine (IX.) of “Sheep Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1865,” relative to the construction of proper dips on their several stations, and which is being carried out. An inspection of the same will be made in due course.

The consumption of mutton is as follows:—Number killed on stations, 26,499; for Dunedin and suburbs, 27,586; against 18,639 and 23,994; being 11,452 over last year.

The condition of the flocks throughout the Province is very satisfactory; and as regards the lambing—owing in a great measure to the very favorable weather, together with good pasture—will exceed that of last year considerably. I estimate the average this year at from 70 to 75 per cent.

Shearing operations have commenced, and, judging from the appearance of the sheep generally, the clip will be superior, both as regards quantity and quality, to last.

Many of the Runholders are directing their attention to fencing their runs, and breeding first-class rams, thereby improving their flocks, and at the same time, the carrying capacity of the country.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

GEORGE THOMSON,
Chief Inspector of Sheep.

Provincial Treasurer, Dunedin.

Report of Inspector BENJAMIN P. BAYLEY, Clyde.

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication, dated 5th October, 1866, and in reply beg to report—firstly, that the general condition of the flocks are good within my district, all being clean, and, with one or two exceptions, looking remarkably well this season, and a heavy percentage of lambs anticipated by the different Runholders. Not only have they more ewes to lamb this year, but the weather, with the exception of the late heavy floods, has been most favorable. The sheep dropping heavily, and although no doubt a few lambs have been lost on the low grounds during the heavy rain, yet as there was no cold weather accompanying it, I do not think any great damage has been sustained. With reference to the clip, the aggregate yield will be in excess of that of former years, consequent on the increase of stock; and if any difference in quality, I think it will be for the better, from the fact that more young sheep, bred from better rams, are yearly replacing the old stock; together with the fact that the clip is improving. The rams themselves are under—

going the same process. The higher grounds, which before were not much used (now as runholders are stocking up), are gradually being taken up as summer country.

I may further add, that nearly all the Runholders within my district have, during the last twelve months, erected dips; and I believe, that by the end of the year all will have complied with the requirements of the new Act.

Report of Inspector ARTHUR KENNEDY, Wakatipu.

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter requesting report on my district, and have to inform you that all the Sheep in it are of the Merino breed, and, with one exception, in a healthy condition. I may also state that when I took charge, there were 15,000 Diseased Sheep, but am happy to state that that number is now reduced to 3700, which I hope to have clean by the end of the year. The Lambing has been very good, which I attribute to the favorable weather and good feed. Shearing will commence next month, and a very good clip is anticipated.

Report of Inspector JOHN D. ATKIN, Popotunoa.

I have the honor to forward report of the general condition of the flocks, quality of the wool, and state of the Runs in my district, as requested in yours of 5th October, and in doing so, have much pleasure in calling your attention to the rapid strides towards perfection taken by Sheepfarmers in this portion of the Province within the last two years. In the Upper Pomahaka country the vast lines of fencing and subdivision of Runs into large Paddocks forms a marked feature in advancement. In addition to this, the large sums of money invested in the purchase of Stud Sheep of the purest blood and most valuable wools shows a determination on the part of Runholders to produce a class of wool unrivalled, not alone in quantity, but in quality.

I have also much pleasure in calling your attention to a most marked advancement on the Hundreds and Freeholds among the Sheep Farmers, and to the great number of small landowners in this district who are turning their attention to sheep breeding in paddocks.

Report of Inspector RICHARD CLAYTON, Northern District.

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of yours of the 5th instant, and in reply beg to inform you that the general condition of the flocks in my district is satisfactory. There are but two flocks of about 5000 each (Mr. M’Gregor’s, and Messrs. Reid and Bathgate) legally scabby, both of which I have partly inspected on the Run, but could not minutely examine them, owing to the ewes lambing: these I believe to be clean.

I anticipate the ensuing clip to be an improvement on last season, owing to the use of better rams, washing, and the better description of woolsheds, &c.

There are first-class dips erected on most of the stations, and others are being proceeded with.

Fencing is also engaging the attention of squatters, which will be the means of providing more feed for the Sheep, besides preventing flocks from mixing.