H.—23a

Sess. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

SHEEP-RATES COLLECTED, AND COST OF THE DEPARTMENT.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 29th day of October, 1897. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing the annual amount due and collected for sheeprates throughout the colony, and the annual cost of maintaining the Sheep Department."—(Mr. Mills.)

Rrtuen of Sheep-rates due and collected, and Cost of Maintaining Sheep Department for the Year ended 31st March, 1897. £ Sheep-rates due as per returns made on 30th April, 1896 ... ... ... 19,667 Sheep-rates collected during year ended 31st March, 1897 .. ... ... 19,616

Annual cost of maintaining the Sheep Department:— Salaries, — £ £ '■■ Inspectors of Stock ... ... ... ... 9,421 Veterinary Surgeons ... ... ... ... 786 Quarantine ... ... ... ... 250 10,457 Travelling-expenses,— * Inspectors of Stock ... ... ... ... 2,342 Veterinary Surgeons ... ... ... ... 466 2,808 Estimated expenses in connection with Sheep Eeturns, &c, eradicating diseases, laboratory work, quarantining, officers and clerical charges, &c. ... ... 3,402 £16,667 Department of Agriculture, Wellington, 17th December, 1897.

* Part of this may be charged to destruction of rabbits, but the exact sum cannot be determined. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), 18s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97.

Price 3d.]