Pastoral Industries.

The Hawke's Bay District is pre-eminently a sheep-grazing country. The extent of land in sown grasses in the provincial district, according to the latest returns, was 1,673,883 acres, and this notwithstanding that a considerable amount is unused, or forest country—and therefore unproductive—while other parts are made use of for tillage only. In April, 1896, there were in the provincial district 3,241,477 sheep; and in November, 1896, 84,400 cattle and 16,849 horses. The value of the wool exported during the twelve months ending the 31st March, 1897, was considerably over a million pounds sterling, that shipped from Napier alone representing £801,928.

Freezing-works have been established at Woodville, Waipuknrau, Tomoana, Napier, and Gisborne, and the export of frozen meat from the port of Napier alone during the same period was of a value of £112,916, while further shipments were made from Gisborne. This industry gives employment to a large number of persons, both directly to those engaged in breeding, shearing, freezing, and shipping, and indirectly to those who labour at bushfelling, grass-seed sowing, fencing, and otherwise opening up new country. Nor must the cutting of the immense amount of firewood consumed at the works be forgotten. All this benefits the settler with limited means, by providing him with funds to improve his holding, and to this is due, in a great measure, the general prosperity.