H.—23a

1903. NEW ZEALAND.

INTERIM RETURN OF SHEEP IN THE COLONY ON THE 30th APRIL, 1903.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Department of Agriculture, Sib,— Wellington, 7th July, 1903. I have the honour to furnish a statement of the approximate number of sheep in the colony on the 30th April, 1903. I have, &c, John D. Eitchie, The Hon. the Minister for Agriculture. Chief Inspector of Stock.

Approximate Number of Sheep in the Colony on the 30th April, 1903.

It is not difficult to account for this very large decrease. Looking at the export of frozen mutton and lamb it will be seen that 1,286,824 more carcases were exported for the year ending 31st March last than for the previous year. The figures are as follows : — 1902. 1903. Increase. Mutton (carcases) . ... ... 1,665,622 2,531,993 866,371 Lamb (carcases) ... ... 1,684,091 2,104,544 420,453 Total ... ... 3,349,713 4,636,537 1,286,824 Live sheep to the number of 48,447 were exported from the colony for 1902-3, as against 3,579 for 1901-2, the increase being 44,868. This, added to 1,286,824, makes a grand total of 1,331,692, or practically the whole of the decrease in our flocks. It must also be borne in mind that in parts of the colony last year the lambing was below the average, The increase in the number of sheep last year was under 110,000, so that there was nothing to warrant the excessive export. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,625 copies), £1 Is. 6d.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3. Price 3d.]

Number of Sheep. Deorease. Distriot. Increase. 1902.* 02.* 1903. Auckland 879,852 781,376 98,476 Napier 4,631,151 4,423,564 207,587 Wellington-West Coast 4,775,343 4,307,587 467,756 Marlborough-Nelson 955,574 909,332 46,242 Canterbury-Kaikoura 5,135,465 4,961,414 174,051 Otago ... 3,965,342 3,618,776 346,566 Total 20,342,727 19,002,049 1,340,678 Decreasi i, North Island 773,819 Decreasi :, South Island 566,859 Total decrease 1,340,678 * Complete returns.