SHEEP IN NEW ZEALAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 274, 20 June 1888, Page 7

SHEEP IN NEW ZEALAND.

_ _ -4^- — On application at the proper office vc weie courteously furnished with the result of the last annual ?lnep returns, showing the number of sheep hell in the colony on the 3 1st May, 1887. For the first time for nnny years the total shows a decrease on the figures for the preceding u\ar. The following are the numbers, divided into the three clashes of sheep, and with comparison of two yreceding years :—: — 1887. 1880. IHSH. Merino sheep 6,6 U,28l 6,981.580 7.233, U>s Orossbroil „ G.'.XKnlSt 6.H5 1,073 5,05t»,631 Longwool „ 1.."»55.161 1.583,010 1,320,705

Totals 15,155,626 15.17 1.263 14,546,801 The total m 1883 was 13,L06,329, and the three following 1 years witnessed therefore an aveiage animal increase of COO,OOO she?p. The latest returns, however, exhibit a decrease of 18,037. In many districts a fair rate of increase is shown, but the gain is more than counterbalanced by heavier decrease in otheis. Thus in Canterbury there is a reduction of 300,000 sheep. The record us between the two islands is as follows : — ISB7. 1886. 1885. South Island 0,6+0,1 tl 9.888.356 0.621,548 North Island 5.306,485 3,28"i,907 4,925,253

Totals 15,155,626 15,174,263 14,546,801 It will thus be scon that while the South Island as a whole shews a decrease for die year of 239,215, the North Island lias an increase of 220,578. The falling off is ascribed to the fact of an increased breadth having: been put under grain ciops instead of being devoted to sheep, owing to the poor results of frozen mutton and wool. Of course, ;he increasingly large numbers of sh^ep which have been disposed of by export in one shape or another, from year to year, could not fail to effect the numerical strength of flocks. The number of sheep dealt with either by freezing, tinning, or boiling-down during four years ending with the 3 1st March have been as follows: — Total for 1886-87 1885-86 1884-35 1883 84. lyeirs. 1,119,323 7-40,983 643.762 395,145 2,893,215 It is noticable that the concurrent increase in the numbers of crossbred sheep and decrease in those of merinos still cont'nno. The relative proportions of the two classes are now reversed, the crossbred s outnumbering the marines. As is well-known, the former are the more profitable for purposes of butchering, freezing:, an-1 boi ling-down. — Wellington Tiade Review.

One of Sir Boyle Roches invitations lo an Irish nobleman was amusingly equivocil, " I hope, my lord, if ever ynu come within a mile ot my house, you'll stay there all night."