H.—29

14

The following table, showing the stock slaughtered at freezing establishments alone during the year, with the previous year's figures shown for comparison, indicates the increase that has taken place over the twelve-months period : —

For comparison purposes the following table is given, showing the killings of sheep and lambs over four periods, Ist October to 31st March in each year, as indicative of the slaughterings from the beginning of each season to the 31st March : —

These figures indicate that an increased number of sheep were slaughtered during the period named, which covers part only of the 1924-25 season, and that a decreased number of lambs were slaughtered. The increase in sheep for the 1924-25 period, however, more than balances the respective totals. The decrease in lamb slaughterings over the period, if not counterbalanced during April slaughterings, will be reflected in an increased number of sheep as at the 30th April, 1925. Inspection of Meat. The inspection of all animals slaughtered at meat-export works, abattoirs, and bacon-factories combined was carried out satisfactorily during the yea.r, but owing to the large increase in slaughterings the available experienced staff was somewhat below requirements, and the necessity of strengthening the personnel, with a view to maintaining an adequate trained staff to meet all emergencies, must be given attention before another season comes round. The following are the numbers of each class of animal slaughtered under direct inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1925 : — Cattle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 397,432 Calves.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 63,996 Sheep.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,106,209 Lambs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,903,831 Swine.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 279,925 The following table indicates the respective class of premises at which these animals were slaughtered, those going through abattoirs being almost wholly for local consumption, except perhaps in the case of swine, and those slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses being intended principally for export: —

■ At ordinary slaughterhouses the stock slaughtered was as follows : — Cattle .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 90,706 Calves .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,311 Sheep .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 248,091 Lambs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19,542 Swine .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27,849 In addition, 37,848 carcases of pork killed and dressed by farmers and sent in to butchers' shops were examined by departmental officers. In connection with the animals shown in the table as slaughtered at meat-export slaughterhouses, the following numbers of the respective classes are returned as having gone into consumption within the Dominion: Cattle, 41,099 ; calves, 5,937 ; sheep, 151,490 ; lambs, 50, 975 ; swine, 19,760.

Year ended Year ended ! T 31st March, 1925. 31st March, 1924. : Inorease - .Decrease. Cattle .. .. .. .. 247,883 184,848 63,035 Sheep .. .. .. .. 2,564,530 1,932,259 632,271 Lambs.. .. .. .. 4,832,493 5,118,981 .. 286,488 Calves .. .. .. .. 22,775 18,776 3,999 Swine .. .. .. .. 142,168 113,200 28,968

1921-22. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25. Sheep .. .. .. 2,091,840 1,244,490 1,462,128 1,821,901 Lambs .. .. .. 3,011,695 , 3,128,415 3,492,004 3,360,761

Abattoirs. Bacon-factories. Cattle .. .. .. .. .. 149,549 247,883 Calves .. .. .. .. .. 41,221 22,775 Sheep .. .. .. .. .. 541,679 2,564,530 Lambs .. .. .. .. .. 71,338 4,832,493 Swine .. .. .. .. .. 100,043 142,168 37,714