H.—9

16

The above-mentioned decrease is to be accounted for.by losses mainly attributable to the continuous snow-storms of last winter. In some places the ground was under snow for a period of ten weeks, the result being that in many cases there is a deficiency of 50 per cent, on the previous returns. The total imports for the year amount to thirty-eight thousand eight hundred and six (38,806) ; this number includes one hundred and seventy (170) stud sheep from Victoria, and five (5) from Tasmania, the remainder coming from Canterbury. The exports from Otago number twenty-four thousand four hundred and sixty-seven (24,467), all to places within New Zealand. In the meat-preserving establishments seventy-four thousand five hundred (74,500) were used during the year. I am enabled to report all sheep within the Otago District to be generally healthy, and free from scab and all contagious and infectious diseases. I have, &c, B. P. Bayly, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Chief Inspector of Stock, Otago District.

RETURN of SHEEP for the PROVINCIAL DISTRICT of OTAGO for the Year ending 30th September, 1878.

Name and Address of Owner. Freehold. Run. Uundreds. Commonage. Total. Adam, James, Tokomairiro AitcheBon, Alexander, Otepopo Aitcheson, Archibald, CrookBton Aitcheson, Peter, Awainoko Ailken Brothers, Gore Allan, James, Greytown Allan, John, Invercargill Allen, William, Muraroa Allison, J. and J , Milton Anderson Brothers, Kaihiku Anderson, David, llokanui Anderson, D. anti J., Riverton Anderson, James A., Wairikiki Anderson, John, Lower Wyndliam Anderson, John, Wyndham Anderson and Sutherland, Palmerston Andrew, John, Mosgiel Andrews, David, Otaraia Annett, William, Hyde Armstrong, William, Gore Armstrong, William, Tokomairiro Arthur, James, Kaihiku Atkins, George, Queenstown Atkinson, E. B., Waireka Attwood, Edward, Toitois Ayson, Alexander, Gore Avson, James, Warepa Ayson, Peter, Tnpanui Ayson, P. and J., Balelutha Basstian, C, Dunrobin Bustian, W. D., Daera Baillie, James, Sandfly Bay Bain, William, Forest Ilill" Ballingall, David, Greenvale Bannatyne, Alexander, Waikouaiti Barclay, Xhomu, J.onghush Bathgate, Charles, Crookston Beattie, John, Outram Beaven, Alfred, New River Begg, Adam, Hill-end Station Beggs, Hugh, Glenkenieh Bell and Currie, North Taieri Bell, George M., Gore Bell, George 11., Waimea Plains Bell, Sir F. D., Ophir Bell, Sir F. D., Shag Valley Bell, Thomas, Motatapu Bennett, James, Crookston Bennett, James, Palmerston Bishop, James, Hill-end Blaeklork, Thomas, Wuiwera Blaikie, Hugh, Wailahuna Blaikie, James, Rynl Bush Blaikie, Peter, Ryal Bush Blaikie, William, Waiwera Blues and Duthie, Waihola Booth, Duvid, and Co., Kyeburn Borrie, Donald, Papakaio Borton, John, Maerewhenua Borton, John, Oamaru Bower, David, Hill-end Bower, Joseph, Balelutha Bowie, Charles, Lovell's Flat Boyd, A. and J., Uindon Boyd, William, and Sons, Flint's Biiali « 2.540 '5 100 500 38i 2,500 28 270 2,300 90 264 3>5°o 3°9 35° 500 600 no 15° 400 2,000 700 55° •37 136 75° 410 3.900 5° 9° 100 480 280 140 500 66 9.3°° 6,603 11,000 16,100 2.54O 15 100 500 38i 2,500 28 9..3°° 270 2,300 90 264 3.500 2,723 6,603 35° 500 600 110 ■So 400 2,000 11,000 700 55° ■37 136 75° 410 16,100 3.9 00 5° 90 100 480 280 13.000 150 100 8,500 37,000 ioo 140 600 66 13,000 150 100 8,500 37,000 30.500 55.196 4,000 75° 200 170 120 I5.!29 3°>5 00 37.067 1,000 3,000 3,000 750 200 170 120 200 ago 260 ■5° 250 3.635 1,200 9,000 200 250 260 150 250 3.635 1,200 9,000 20 180 100 80 20 180 100 80 10,000 goo 12,000 22,000 900