Frozen Meat Trace.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 287, 8 June 1898, Page 2

Frozen Meat Trace.

W. Weddel and To. report under date London, April 7th — Frozen lambs — Arrivals of iamba. daring the past fortnight have been excessive, say 130,000 carcases. The condition of the lamb trade is not altogether satisfactory, for although thu result of the meeting of the chief importers and consignees, which was referred to in our last issue, has been the means of strengthening values to a certain degree, unfortunately the spirit of the agreement to maintain prices for best Canterbury lambs has not b 3en carried out thoroughly by all those who attended the meeting. Naturally those who have stuck out for the price agreed upon (4^d and 4|d) per lb, are dissatisfied at finding some holders going on at 4£d and 4|d per lb, and at a meeting held yesterday most of those present decided to a;t more or less independently. Fair quantities have been sold within the past fortnight, and Although trade cannot be said to be brisk the consumption has been well up to the average of former years. Prime Canterbury 3 have been selling at prices ranging from 4|d to 4£d per lb, a few specially prime lots having reached 5d per lb Ordinary Canterbury* (301 bto 401 b) have been selling at 4£d and 4|d per lb. Secondary New Zealand have been making on average 4{d to 4|d per lb, according to quality. For best Australians (and there have beeu some really useful lambs on the market cf late) 4d to 4£d per lb has been paid. Plain inferior carcases make iirom 3id to 32d per lb. Frozen beef, — There have been no arrivals from Australin New Zealand contributes 3,000 quarters, besides which there are 5,000 quarters from River Plate. Tmde has been far from brisk throughout the fortnight, but owing to the limited, quantity of beef on offer values have remained comparatively steady. Best Brisbane beef, which for sometime past has been selling vory slowly, is still difficult to move. With the " Jumna " (S ) carrying 12,000 quarters, due to-day, holders have been making as much progress with sales as possible. Prime Brisbane hinds have been realising 3£d and 3]d per lb for small quantities ; foreqaarters 2-Jd to 2£d per lb. The fore quarter trade has been rather quiet. Good Townsville beef may be quoted hinds 2|d to 3d per lb ; fores 2^d to 2£d per lb. Bowen and Gladstone beef is selling at from 2£d to 2§d ; fores, 2£d to 2£d per lb ; hinds, accord ng to size and quality. The New Zealand beef, ex the " Morayshire " (fl.) is of excellent quality, although some is inclined to be too heavy and wasteful for this time of the year. Fores are selling at 3d and hinds at 3Jd to 3£d per lb.