SHEEP IN NEW ZEALAND.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1697, 29 May 1884, Page 2

SHEEP IN NEW ZEALAND.

A return has just been completed of the number of sheep in New Zealand in May, 1883. Though the date is not very recent, the return is of interest, especially as it gives, for the-first time, a classification of the different classes of Sheep in the.colony. The figures are*-as follows:

„ . , Ma 'o Female Total. Merino sheop . 3,250,733 4,004,499 7 315 232 Longwoolßhoop 432,322 709,417 120U39 Crossbred sheep 1,837,602' 2,051,858 4 78>'8aS

5,620,557 ' 7,785,772 13,300,328 For May, 1882, the total was about 12,500,597, so that during the year our flocks have increased by some 806,000 sheep.

To the above figures have to be added the numbers of sheep held in Stewart's Island, Chatham, and other adjacent Islands. These, at the time of the last census in 1881, amounted to 77,740, which, without any allowance for subsequent increase, would bring the total in May, 1883, to 13,38i,075. In view.of the fact that the recent decline in the value of wool has most heavily affected crossbred qualities, it is so far satisfactory to find that so large a proportion of New Zealand sheep are of the Meiino breed, at the same time it must be borne in mind that the cross-bred is much more valuable for the purpose of freezing.