AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. SHEEP RETURNS.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 206, 4 June 1887, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. SHEEP RETURNS.

From "The Annual Sheep Returns," for year ending' May 31st, 188G ; presented to both Houses of Perliament, we extract the following figures. On the date named, (viz, May 31st, 1886,) the total number of sheep in the colony was 15.174,203, as against 14,546,801 for the previous year, being an increase of 627,402 ; the increase for Auckland being 13,158. The classification approximately was as follows : Merino, 0,934,580 : Longwool, 1,585,010 ; Cross-bred, 6,654,073. The returns again this year show a very considerable increase iv longwools and cross-breds, whilst merinos have decreased nearly 300,000. During the year ending March 31st, 1887, 706,967 carcases of frozen mutton were expoited, being an increase of 132,775 over the year 1885. The report statos that generally speaking throughout the colony a more than ordinary clip was experienced, with one of the best iambings known for years, and (locks unusually healthy: Also th.it " the colony is this year more free from scab than it had ever boon, in fact, no actual scab U Known to exist." (This is followed by a postcript dated May 10, stilting that "all flocks within the colony are now clean, and hold clean certificates."

Number of Shickp on I\lay 31st. Thames County, 18bf>, 2,200 ; 188G, 5,323 ; Ohiuemuri County, 18S5, l'.l'JO; 1880,997; Mr A. J. Thorp, Paeroa, being the largest owner, viz., 500. Phrt'o Comity, 1885, 27,852 ; 188G, 31,790. The following U-ing the largest owners: Mossr-i .1. C. Virtii, M:it:i-naU. 9,14.) : M«»n*in «»J Sui Ihohno, Monm<villi\ 8 131; C>. L. Granf, (Lavhworlhy's estate,) Waitoa, 2 037 ; J. B. jSmitli, \Vaili..u, 2,000. (Ouicin : Why is (here no return for sheep on the Auckland xV^iicultnrfil Comp-my's eslatp, Waitoa ? T.kto were at a very recent dale somo sheep on this propeity.) L'.inrswtfsi County: 1^85,8,405; 1880,9.174. Mr j/jDrow.i, Tamanya, -1,30 J, beinthe largest owner