605

REPORT OF SHEEP INSPECTOR.

October 24th, 1864.

Sir,—I have the honour to transmit for your information, the return of sheep within the Province of Southland for the year ending 30th Sept. 1864.

The total number of sheep as per returns is 226,383, (exclusive of all sheep under six months; out of this number I regret to say, 22,101 are returned as diseased. At the same time I may observe that, 10,000 out of the 22,101 are considered by myself as clean, a sufficient time not having elapsed since the last dressing to enable me, legally, to cancel the bonds, so that they could be returned as clean. In each case the last dressing was given to make certain of eradicating the disease, although at the time of dipping there were no outward symptoms of scab. The remaining 12,101 I also examined prior to the returns being sent in, and although I consider them still diseased, proper steps are being taken to effect their recovery; my only fear is on account of the stragglers that have missed the dippings, three of the diseased runs being very broken country and rather deficient in good natural boundaries.

The number of sheep imported into this Province by sea, during the last season, was 75,103, and with but three exceptions, the number of diseased sheep is taken from the Bluff Harbour returns. Had it not been for the scabby sheep landed here, the diseased column in my return, would have been but small. I am happy to state that fencing has been resorted to by the owners of runs having diseased sheep, and also by their neighbours. This improvement in the right direction, will tend materially to lessen the risk of the disease spreading itself over the country. Should there be no more diseased sheep landed in the Province, I trust within three months after shearing, to be able to declare the Province free from scab.

A few very fine merino rams and ewes (choice lots) were imported last season, and with regard to Leicesters I consider an improvement has taken place in the lots lately landed from Tasmania; these latter (as a class of sheep) I consider a great boon to the agriculturists of the Province.

The lambing season had fairly commenced during my last visit into the interior, with every prospect of a large per centage. I believe the number of lambs per hundred ewes will far exceed the average of former seasons. I had occasion to inspect the flocks of Matthew Holmes and Co., (under the charge of Mr R. M’Cauley) which are running on the terraces between the Titipua and Waimumu. I had always been under the impression that the country about there would never be adapted for wintering sheep, and was agreeably surprised to find the sheep in such splendid condition, and almost wholly free from scalds and foot rot; great praise however is due to Mr M’Cauley for his careful management of the sheep.

Granting that every facility should be allowed for the importation of sheep, at the same time I cannot too strongly draw your Honor’s attention to the necessity of adopting the most stringent measures to check the introduction of diseased sheep, and I trust the new Ordinance will be most particular on this point, and will also clearly define the powers of the Chief Inspector of the Province, as it is impossible to frame any Sheep Ordinance to meet all contingencies. That officer should to a certain extent be left free to cope with any difficulties that may arise.

Although the spring has been a late one, an abundance of young grass for the breeding sheep is now making its appearance in the up country districts and the sheep generally are looking remarkably well.

Allowing three months to elapse after shearing operations are over, it is my intention to furnish the Government with a more lengthened report, on several matters connected with sheep, and I trust to be enabled to give a more favourable account of the number of diseased sheep being materially lessened.

I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,

HENRY G. FIELDER.

His Honor the Superintendent.

ROADS AND BRIDGES DEPARTMENT.

Southland, Nov. 19, 1864.

Sir,—I have the honour to lay before you a report on the roads and public works, in the Province of Southland, up to the 30th September, 1864.

The information given in this report, respecting works executed on roads before the 20th September, 1863, must necessarily be meagre, as it is obtained from imperfect sources, inasmuch as no record books that can be relied upon...