H.—ll.

Cattle. —A few cases of cancerous tumours on the jaw in cattle have come under my notice, but I have succeeded in getting the animals destroyed. Horses. —No disease of any fatal description exists. Fears are entertained that the bot-fly may become a serious trouble. Oamaru, 30th May, 1892. W. Miller, Inspector.

Sheep. —All flocks healthy and in good condition for wintering. About half a dozen cases of lousy sheep in Burnside saleyards last winter, in all of which informations were laid and convictions obtained. A few cases of unbrauded sheep, in which informations were laid and convictions obtained in all but one. The lambing was good, and had it not been for heavy snow-storms soon after lambing began on the back country, it would have been exceptionally good. As it is I should estimate the increase at about 70 per cent, all over the district. The clip was in good order, but owing to the prevailing cold weather was rather light. Cattle. —The general health of the herds was good. There were two head in the Burnside saleyards last winter affected with cancer, also one at Otakia, all of which were destroyed and the carcases sent to the chemical works or buried. Horses. —All in good health. Dunedin, 31st May, 1892. W. A. Scaife, Inspector.

General Health. —Stock very healthy and in good condition ; feed being abundant throughout the year. Found two cattle with cancer; they were destroyed. Horses healthy throughout the district. Lambing. —Good, the season very favourable. Crossbreds about 85 per cent.; merinos, 60. Clip sound and in good order. Lungiuorm. —Have noticed very few lambs affected. Lice. —Few flocks infected ; dipping general. Balclutha, 2nd June, 1892. Blair Fullarton, Inspector.

The health of the stock in Vincent and Lake Counties has been good; have neither seen nor heard of lungworm or any other disease. The lambing has been about 65 per cent, in merinos, and 85 in cross-breds, which is about 15 per cent, higher than last year. This has enabled the sheep-owners to cull heavily this season, which should tell very much to their advantage next season. The clip has been good, averaging 6-J- lb. merino, and 8 lb. cross-bred. The returns as coming to hand show an increase by last year, notwithstanding the large number that have been sold out of the district. Cattle are not on the increase, they are giving place to sheep. Their health and condition is good. Horses arc not bred to any extent in this district. Health good, but mostly of an inferior stamp. I may mention that this has been an exceptional good season for feed, hence stock of all descriptions are in good condition. Clyde, 24th May, 1892. Alex. Ironside, Inspector.

Flocks. —The sheep flocks are in an exceptionally good state owing to an abundance of grass.. The past season, in the opinion of the oldest settlers, has been the best experienced in the district since rabbits became numerous. This result was produced by the really grand-growing warm weather which followed the numerous spring and summer rains. The average clip of wool is 61b. per sheep. The average lambing is 75 per cent. These figures are arrived at by taking twelve of the stock-owners, six large owners and six small ones, and striking an average. Sheep have increased considerably in the district, both by being bred and by new owners purchasing. Lungworm. —A few cases of lungworm have come under my knowledge, generally traced to over-stocking, and thus keeping lambs on dirty pasture. The deaths have not been numerous, and lambs have invariably improved after being dosed and moved to clean feed. As usual, owners differ as to the best dose to use in case of lungworm. Lice. —Lice this season were numerous, probably owing to wet—not really bad in any one place, but scattered through the flocks. Owners, lam glad to say, recognise the fact that lice ruin a flock, and therefore this season they are dipping extensively. Homed Cattle. —Cattle, as a rule, are fetching low prices, although as a sample of fat stock they could not well be surpassed. Disease is not at all common, although I have had to deal with a case or two of cancer. Horses. —Horses are fetching a good price, especially good hacks. No disease that I am. aware of. Some really first-class draughts are produced in this district. Tapanui, 25th May, 1892. B. H. Hassall, Inspector.

The last season has been one of the best known for many years past as regards stock generally, but more especially sheep. During the winter the weather was fine as a whole, and not the usual heavy rain and snow-storms, so that the flocks, by the time spring arrived and lambing set in, were in good fettle to stand the trial, and the result was one of the most prolific seasons ever known in Southland and Wallace. Not only were large percentages dropped, but, attended with a fine dry spring, the lambs throve, and arrived at maturity with but a very low death-rate. Following on such a good winter and spring, it was only natural that there was a good clip of wool. A slight mortality took place among some of the flocks in the Western District, but as soon as the spring, set in and the sheep were able to have a change of pasturage that disappeared. 2—H. 11.

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