H.—ll.

Canterbury-Kaikoura District. Sheep). —The past season having been one of the finest on record, the winter dry though cold, with a moist spring, which brought a great flush of grass, the flocks have come in as a whole in a satisfactory manner. The clip was not so good as might have been expected, being light, very little weight in the wool, and in instances broken; it would be about an average. The percentage of lambs throughout the district would be about 75 per cent. This would have been much larger but for a few days of severe winter which caught some of the late lambing flocks and caused heavy loss. In one flock alone the loss was estimated at 20 per cent. The season having been moist throughout, grass has been abundant, and the flocks look well, but would have done better with less moisture and more substance in the grass. The first large sale of sheep in the district was held on 3rd March, when between 17,000 and 18,000 were quitted at satisfactory prices, varying from 14s. 6d. for cross-bred prizes to 2s. 6d. for old merino culls. A large number of first-cross sheep are now being bred in the district, and the number is likely to increase from year to year. Health. —The wet season has been conducive to foot-rot, which has shown up on all the low-lying country, and in one case on high country, but heavy in grass. The arsenic trough and Little's dip are being used with good results. Lungworm. —The loss by lungworm was much smaller than usual, the generality of farmers dosing the lambs soon after weaning, a wise precautionary measure. Lice. —Two or three small flocks have shown lice, but the annual dipping in general practice keeps it at a very low ebb. Cattle. —Few cattle are bred here, and very little dairying is done. Very little attention is paid to breed, and what cattle are in the district are healthy: with the exception of one case of cancer, no disease is among them. Horses. —The horses in the district are, I believe, perfectly healthy. I have, &c, Kaikoura, 20th May, 1892. John Moore, Inspector.

- Sheep.' —As far as I have been able to see since my arrival the health of the flocks is good, and the sheep are all in good condition. Lambing was also up to the average. Clip was in good order, except on some of the back runs where there was a large amount of sandy wool. Foot-rot, owing to the wet season and strong growth of grass, has made its appearance in places where it has not been seen previously; but in all cases owners have taken steps to deal with the outbreak. Lice. — l have not yet seen any sheep infected with these parasites. Waiau, 3rd May, 1892. W. A. Scaife, Inspector.

Sheep. —The general condition of the flocks has been exceptionally good. Owing to the spring and summer rains the growth in feed practically received no check, and both on the high country and in the agricultural districts grass has been more plentiful than for several years past. Lambing. —The lambing was decidedly above the average all over the district, and, in spite of the drain on the flocks caused by the frozen meat export, I anticipate an increase, though not a large one. Wool. —The clip of wool was generally sound and in good condition. Lice. —A decided improvement is noticeable in this respect. Close inspection of saleyards, and compulsory dipping of all sheep found infected, not only in saleyards but on farms, has borne very good results. Worms and foot-rot. —For several years these diseases have been in very mild proportions ; but they are both of them this season more serious. Cattle. —The health and condition of cattle has been generally good. Several cattle have been ordered to be destroyed at the saleyards. Two of the cases were of animals in a very advanced stage of tuberculosis, and two of actinomycosis. I have so far no reason to suppose that these diseases are at all general. I have, &c, Christchurch, 6th June, 1892. E. F. Holderness, Inspector.

A few sudden deaths of horses, attributed to bot fly, have been mentioned in local papers, but I have not had an opportunity of seeing any cases myself, and am not aware of any proper post mortem examination having been made. Feed is abundant throughout the district, and sheep have been very free from lungworm or other parasites, but incipient foot-rot or scalds has been rather prevalent owing to excessive moisture on cultivated pastures during the last two or three months. The lambing was rather above the average, and the clip satisfactory. Prices of store sheep still rule high, and I much fear that the too common practice of selling the best ewe lambs and maiden ewes for freezing—retaining old worn-out ewes for breeding purposes —will militate against a high standard for fat stock before long. The saleyards of late have been full of old merino ewes which ought to have gone to the boilingpot. Timaru, 31st May, 1892. Alfred Douglass, Inspector.

Otago District. Sheep. —The health of sheep has been good. The lambing has been good, the season having been favourable —average, about 65 per cent. The clip has been satisfactory ; lungworm not troublesome ; lice to be found occasionally ; dipping generally carried out. A great scarcity of sheep exists, and high prices are ruling for all classes. Feed in abundance throughout the country.

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