OFFICIAL EEPOETS.

Southland Times, Issue 611, 28 December 1866, Page 3

OFFICIAL EEPOETS.

The following report of the Chief Inspector of sheep for Southland, has been handed to us for publication : — Sheep Department, Southland, Dec. 19th, 1866. Sib, — I have the honor to forward for your information, the returns of sheep within the Province of Southland, for the year ending 30th September, 1866, also the number of sheep imported by sea. The numbers are as follows : — 345,810 in returns, and 1092 imported by sea since Sept. 1866, of this nnmber you will perceive that 21,000 and 36 are returned as diseased, against 16597, returned last year as diseased. I specially examined the diseased stations a fortnight ago, so that I could report confidently upon their condition, and although returned as infected, I am happy to say that very little indeed is the matter with the sheep, and that they are now being thoroughly dipped as they come from the shears, and will be redipped in ten days from first dipping, and I have great hopes that within six months from this date, I shall be in a position to declare the whole province entitled to a clean bill of health, my only fear being the risk consequent upon any stragglers that might have been missed at the musterings. Most valuable additions have been made to the sire stock of the Province by the importations of W. Hill, Esq., of Croydon, and D. M'Kellar, Esq., of Waimea Plains. The whole of the former's are a really first class lot, and most of the latter's, I am sure will receive especial notice from breeders requiring change of blood after the next season. Those imported by 3J. Hamilton, Esq., from Great Britain, (Morton and Co.) Morton Maines are worthy the attention of purchasers of lands who will require stock for fenced in country, and English grass paddocks. On the whole, I may state that the Province has received a valuable addition to its former stock of tups, not omitting those imported by Mr M'lntosh, Otautau. The lambing season has been really a fine one, and as far as I have ascertained the per centage will be exceedingly good. 75 per cent, has been already secured, even in a mixed flock. The shearing season has fully commenced with every prospect of good weather, and also a fair prospect of a good wool market. Grasses are abundant, and stock everywhere are looking remarkable well. Having stated that I have every hopes of declaring the whole Province entitled

to a clean certificate within six months, I would draw your Honor's and the Sheep Board's especial attention to the neeesssity of not allowing any sheep to be introduced within the Province by land without first receiving a certificate from an Inspector within the Province. At present sheep can be introduced by the runholder upon whose lands they first enter, giving permission, which I think is not a proper precautionary measure. I would also draw the Sheep Board's attention to the necessity of having a special Act passed through the Provincial Council, bringing all owners of sheep upon private lands, within the luspector's jurisdiction, in my opinion, the present Act does not, (of course I may be under a wrong impression, in my interpretation of the Act, 1866.) A larger amount of work will be thrown upon my shoulders as the only Inspector, but I trust that with occasional assistance from the Provisional Inspectors, to be able to compete with the amount of work required to be done. I havo omitted to mention that although there were IG\s9^ diseased sheep returned in Sep. tember, 1865, and 21,036 in September, 1866, that at present there are not positively 21,036 diseased sheep, but only about 12,000, the rest having been cleaned since September, 1866, but had to be returned at the time as diseased. In September, 1865, the 22,000 or most of them were really diseased, this year the 12,000 I can report as but slightly infected, and I trust have ere this received two good dippings. — I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Henby Fieldee, Chief Inspector of sheep, Southland.