The Daily Telegraph SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1881.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3000, 5 February 1881, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1881.

Rveb since Mr Tallerman undertook in 1868 to introduce to the London market the surplus meat ot Australia, it has been the hope of colonists to hit upon some method by which to place before European consumers the daily necessaries of life iv a cheap and in an attractive form. Mr Tallerman's preserved meat in spiced rolls was not attractive, though "it was cheap enough. The cooked preserved meat in tins was almost equally unsuccessful so far as the general consumer was concerned. It then became evident tbat to secure the favor of English taste the whole carcase would have to be forwarded home, and presented to customers in such a way as to render it impossible for them to discover its origin. The refrigerating process is the only method by which this can be done, and the experiments that ha/c lately been made with it have given highly encouraging results. Our cablegrams recently made mention of the arrival of the steamer Protos at London from Australia, and of the successful sale of tbe meat and butter Bhipped by her. On the meat a profit of £1000 clear was realised after th r ) payment of all expenses, while the butter was sold at Is per lb. From our English files by the Suez mail we learn that in December last, on the invitation of the managers of tbe Orient Steam Navigation Company, a number of gentlemen, including tbe Bishop of North Queensland, and the Agents-Oereral for New South Wales, New Zealand, and South Australia, partook of a luncheon on board the steamship Orient, at the Royal Albert Dock. The meats provided were Australian viands preserved during a voyage of thirty-two days by the dryair process of Messrs Bell and Coleman. Tbe Orient Company have not yet undertaken the carriage of these meats as regular cargo, but have in the meantime commenced the Orient experiment in the interests of their passengers. Among the dishes most keenly relished at the luncheon were soup made from ox-tail, Australian oysters, which, it is said, are obtainable in the Australian restaurants at sixpence a dozen, and can of course be imported at a lower price, fillets of an Australian fish called " schnapper,'' Murray Bay cod, lamb cutlets, mutton, roast beef, and various vegetables. Mr C. J. Green, one of the managers, in proposing the loyal toasts, said a portion of the fresh meats had been sent to the Queen. Mr J. U. Anderson, another manager, stated that the experiment had enabled !he Orient Company to promote the comfort of their passengers by dispensing with tbe carriage of live stock for provisions, and by providing for tbem a more varied diet. The Australian Agents-General present—Sir D. Cooper, Sir J. Vogel, and Sir A. Blyth—and the Bishop of North Queensland joined in 'congratulating the company on tbe success of their experiment. Thus it will be seen that tbe possibility of placing Aus tralian meat in the London market is clearly demonstrated, and that it only remains for shipowners to be assured of freight to warrant tbem in fitting up their vessels for the conveyance of carcases in the fresh state. The Wellington Post says that the experiment is now being tried of running direct steamers between England and New Zealand, and steps ought to be at once taken to have these fitted up with freezing apparatus similar to that with whiih the Protos was supplied. Should it be found practicable to carry on successfully the export of fresh meat and other provisions to England, not only will the greatest possible advantage accrue to squatters, farmers, and shippers, but there will be a general revival of prosperity, and tbat, too, of a most substantial character, the benefits of which will be felt by all classes of the community.