198 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [July 
a normal year’s total export. So that, provided the works started a season 
with empty chambers, they could now go on killing for a whole season 
without more than filling up their available storage. This is a most satis¬ 
factory state of affairs not only under present war conditions, but it means 
that when the war is concluded and trade becomes normal it will not be 
necessary to rush all our season’s output into the Home markets during 
about six months of the year, but, on the contrary, we shall be able to 
spread the shipments more evenly over the twelve months, and thus avoid 
fluctuations in prices caused by large shipments being all dumped on the 
market during a limited period. 
Another effect of the shortage in works and steamer space caused by 
the war is the saving of approximately 20 per cent, in the storage of mutton 
and lamb by dividing the carcase in two, immediately behind the saddle, 
the hind part being packed into the hollow of the fore part. (See figs. 3 
and 4.) On a 601b. carcase the weight of the hind part cut off is 201b. 
to 22 lb., and this is packed into what would be an otherwise empty space. 
The quantity of stock slaughtered in New Zealand shows a very large 
increase for the years ending 30th June, 1914— i.e., before the war—com¬ 
pared with 1916 
1914. 
1916. 
Increase. 
Cows 
75,071 
157,138 
82,067 
Oxen and heifers 
132.307 
181,995 
49,688 
Bulls 
11,808 
15,501 
3,693 
Calves 
24,470 
31,374 
6,904 
Sheep 
.. 3,269,456 
3,521,264 
251,808 
Lambs 
.. 3,030,189 
3,948,205 
909,016 
The increase in the 
number of cows 
slaughtered is 
remarkable, 
over 100 per cent. more. 
Notwithstanding this enormous increase in stock killed, the latest returns 
of live-stock in New Zealand show considerable growth. 
The following table shows the number of cattle and sheep in New Zea¬ 
land at various periods from 1858 to 1917 :— 
Year. 
Cattle. 
Sheep and 
Lambs. 
Killed for Export. 
Cattle. 
Sheep and 
Lambs. 
1858 
137,204 
1,523.324 
No record 
No record. 
1861 
193.285 
2,761.383 
?? 
3 ? 
1871 
436.592 
9,700.629 
?? 
3 3 
1881 
698,637 
12,985.085 
? ? 
53 
1891 
831,831 
18.128,186 
?? 
33 
1901 
1,256.680 
19.355,195 
? 5 
3 3 
1911 
2,020,171 
23,996.126 
3 ? 
6,033,587 
1914 
No record 
24,798,763 
109,679 
6,411,987 
1915 
24,901,421 
182.120 
6.214,451 
1916 
2,417,491 
24.788.150 
211.331 
6,735.858 
1917 
2,575,230 
25,270,386 
243,746 
6,162,000 
In addition to quantities shown above for export, about 1,500,000 sheep 
and 500,000 lambs are slaughtered annually for consumption in New Zealand. 
This is equal to about 1101b. per head per annum, without beef. 
Referring to the increase in quantity of stock in England, the latest 
returns, collected in June, 1916, show a very satisfactory state of affairs. 
