SHEEP INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

Southland Times, Issue 899, 14 February 1868, Page 2

SHEEP INSPECTOR'S REPORT.

Sheep Department, Invercargill, Dec. 31, 1867. His Honor the Superintendent. Sib,— l have the honor to forward for your information the returns of sheep within theJProvince of Southland for the year ending 30th September, 1867. The gross total is 434,336. Of this number, 1285 have been imported by sea from Great Britain and the Australian colonies, and 44,600 have crossed over the border from the adjacent provinces of New Zealand. Amongst the merinos imported are 55 rams, picked from the highly esteemed flock of R. Kermode, Esq., Tasmania, for P. M'Kellar, Esq., Longridge, Waimea— a first-class lot. Two really fine rams, imported to Victoria, and brought to Southland by A. J. Smyth, Esq., Hokanuis ; these, I believe, have a good dash of the Negretti. 133 ewes, imported from New South Wales by E. Wentwortb, Esq., are a very fine lot, though not as even a lot as could be desired. Three rams imported from Victoria by G. M. Bell, Esq., "Waimea Plains, are really fine stock ; one ram especially, though old, ia worthy of notice. The same gentleman has also brought from Victoria 1000 pure merino ewes of a superior class. In Leicesters, 35 picked ewes have been imported by E. Wentworth, Esq., Waimea, and 30 rams by the Messrs Shand, Winton Estate. These are all good long- wools. Of Lincolns, two rams imported from Great Britain for W. Martin, Esq., (very good), and two rams and seven ewes imported directed from Great Britain by Messrs Sutton Bros., Wright's Bush, Waianewa. These are pure Lincolns, and a really splendid lot. I do not believe . that these sheep can be surpassed by anything of their class in any of the colonies. These sheep were picked by the best judges. One of the rams and three r of the ewes are worthy of especial notice. I may mention that the whole of the stock enumerated are intended for stud purposes, and are a valuable addition tb the stud flocks of the province. There were also sixteen rams landed at the Bluff, but these passed on to Mr Brunton, of Otago. The sheep brought by land from the other provinces during 1867 were all of the merino breed. Out of the number were about 5000 young ewes of a very fine description, and a small lot of fine rams from Messrs Julius Bros. Erom the returns enclosed your Honor will perceive that the number returned as diseased is 30,500. I have latelyvisited the diseased stations in order that: : I might report, with confidence as to their condition, and I think I may safely state that?: of the above number over 12,000 are clean, and that the disease in the remainder is rapidly disappearing, now that promptattention is beinggivento the oper-

tion of dipping the whole. If fine weathei would only set in, I have every reason tc hope that in my next report I shall b( able to declare the whole province clean The only drawback to this desired enc likely to arise is from infected sheep beinj allowed to stray on to clean runs, oj stragglers on the present diseased station! not being strictly mustered. Grea t can is, however, being taken by the runh olden in fencing and otherwise, and the risl? thereby much reduced. T regret to have to report that the lambing this season is not so satisfactory as could be desired, falling short I fear oi previous years. As far as I can obtain information, the average will not exceed sixty per cent: this is to be accounted for by the unusually severe weather during both winter and spring, which was not only bad for lambing, but also for the shearing, which is later this season than I have ever knowu it to be. The flocks, however, which appeared to have suffered most during the severe weather are now beginning to look well. The large importation of superior stock is especially worthy of notice. Sheep and cattle of the highest class have been brought to this province, among which the most valuable are the long wool sheep of Sutton Bros., and the short-horned cattle imported by Messrs Holmes and Barnhill, of Castle Bock Station, G. M. Bell, Esq., of Waimea Plains, and Messrs "Wentworth and Hill, Hokanuis. I do rot think (though our number may yet be small) that any of the provinces can now surpass Southland in stock of a pure breed. It is a fact worthy of record that all the live stock shows held in the various provinces, the Southland exhibits took every prize for which they were entered, and this prize stock, when exhibited. at the recent Exhibition of the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, were excelled by others within this province. Several valuable stud entires of both breeds have also been added during the past year to the horse stock of the province. The attention that is now being given by the settlers, both agricultural and pastoral, justifies the opinion that in a few years Southland will stand in the highest position as an agricultural and pastoral province. I have no hesitation in stating if the same enterprise that has characterised the past year, in the importation and breeding of stock of the very highest class, is continued, that at no distant period it will become noted for the superiority of its live stock. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Henet G. Eteldeb, Chief Sheep Inspector, Southland.