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The total number of cattle, exclusive of calves, examined at the various abattoirs and meat-export slaughterhouses was 596,881, a decrease of 90,501 on last year's figures. Of these, 37,793, or 6*3 per cent., were found to be affected with tuberculosis in varying degree, a large percentage being only slightly affected. This indicates an increase of 0-2 per cent, infection among cattle slaughtered in these premises. The testing of dairy herds supplying milk for town supply has been practically in abeyance during the year, as the basis of compensation to be paid to dairy-farmers for reactor animals has not been settled. A total of 3,724 dairy cattle in herds registered for town supply were tested and 274 reactors were found. In addition, 11,311 cattle were tested at the owners' request and 2,514 head of stock were tested at the various Government farms under the control of several Departments. The balance of 716 comprised tests applied to cattle for export, imports, &c. Actinomycosis. (and Actinobacillosis). —During the year 530 animals were condemned for this disease, while a large number of animals were successfully treated with iodides. Malignant Growth.—The number of stock condemned was 150, a decrease of 68 on the figure recorded the previous year. Compensation was paid in accordance with the Stock Act. Johne's Disease. —A total of 244 animals were condemned for this disease under the Stock Act, the majority of the animals being in the Taranaki district. The control of spread of this disease has presented many problems, and a start has been made in the vaccination of calves against the disease. The vaccination of calves on six farms in Taranaki and three farms in the Waikato has been carried out. The results will be carefully watched by the Department. Anthrax.—No cases of anthrax occurred during the year. Protective vaccination of herds on farms previously infected is giving very good results. Blackleg. —The numbers of calves vaccinated against this disease in the affected areas were : Taranaki, 25,732, and Auckland, 34,647, making a total of 60,379. There is an increase of 1,732 in the number of calves vaccinated in Taranaki, whereas the Auckland figures show a decrease of 1,999 when compared with the figures for last year. There were 267 outbreaks in the Auckland district, compared with 280 the previous year. This involved the vaccination of 6,146 calves on 267 farms. In addition, 28,501 calves were vaccinated on 1,425 farms as a preventive measure. Non-scheduled Diseases Mastitis.—Field officers of this Division have co-operated with research officers on the work being carried out with penicillin in the treatment of mastitis in dairy herds. The major change during the year has been the wide distribution of penicillin cerate and its general use by farmers in the treatment of mastitis. Field veterinarians throughout the Dominion organized a series of demonstrations on the correct method of use of penicillin, and in all districts these demonstrations were attended by large numbers of dairy-farmers. The demonstrations resulted in a wide distribution of penicillin to farmers. Observations and reports indicate that the results have been remarkably good. This is the most efficacious remedy for mastitis ever introduced. Reports obtained from four or five reliable users in each district are summarized as follows :

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Quarters Treated. Cured. Remained Light. Dried Up. No Response. 880 721 107 28 21