MIDWINTER MEAT SHOW.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1376, 13 July 1878, Page 3

MIDWINTER MEAT SHOW.

Last year the local butchers combined for the purpose of getting up a prize exhibition of meat, and likewise offered premiums for the best-dressed shop. This had the effect of developing the really fine quality of meat that is brought into tho Christchurch market, and proved incontestibly that the Canterbury breeders can compare favorably with those of England. Although for somo reason the trade has not considered it necessary to offer prizes this year, Messrs J. Mann, H. B. Lane, and E.'M. Mein, have got up an exhibition of meat on their own account, and the result surpasses even the show of last year both as regards the quality of the meat and the weight of the carcases. Foremost to be mentioned is the shop of Mr Mann, in Colombo street, which presented a sufficiently attractive spectacle to draw crowds of spectators during the evening and up to a late hour. Mr Mann, on the principle that good wine needs no bush, eschews ornament, and relies on the quality of hiß goods to commend patronage. The most prominent feature on entering the shop is a monster pig, weighing 6201 b., surrounded by a group of smaller porkers, of undeniable quality and breed. The bodies of beef ranged in weight from lOcwt. to 14icwt., all of superior class, notably the carcase of a halfbred Devon bullock bred by Mr E. Reece, of a quality not to be surpassed, and wonderfully thick and good in the flesh. The sheep, about fifty in number, are principally from the Deans' estate and Maßkrey's and range from 751bs to 901bs each. Like the beef tho quality of the meat is unexceptionable. In the small goods department there was an assortment of sucking pigs, tripe, brawn, &c, and the whole appearance of the stock reflected great credit on the slaughterman and yardsmen. Mr H. B. Lano in his new shop, in Cashel street, would undoubtedly have carried off the prize, had there been one, for the manner in which his premises were dressed, without taking into consideration the sterling quality of the goods exhibited. The small goods window presented a most artistic appearance, the tongues, saddles of mutton, &c, being resplendent* with floral and verbal emblems, wreaths, garlands, nosegays, &c, which mußt have taken a great deal of time aB well as skill to arrange. Mr Lane's original establishment was likewise similarly set out and with equal taste. The stock in the two shops comprised twenty-two very fine bodies of beef cut and uncut, mostly from Bcwt to 9cwt each, of superb quality, and about sixty half and three-quarter bred sheep whose appearance answered for the' excellence of their quality. Some superior calves beautifully dressed also looked very attractive, the dressing all through being of unusual excellence, and reflecting great credit on Mr Angell and Mr R. H. Hankins, the respective managers of the two shops. Mr Borrett, who has the charge of the small goods department in the new shop, must also be commended for the fine taste he has shown in the decorative part of hiß department. Mr Mein exhibited his usual Friday night's display of fine meat, without any special ornamental effect. He had nine bodies of splendid beef, the weight ranging from B|cwt. tolOcwt. Forty-five half-bred sheep of an average weight of 60lb. each, were hung round the shop, which presented a thoroughly good sample of the description of meat that is now habitually sold in all the first class shops in Christchurch, and should certainly silence all cavillers who feel inclined to draw invidious comparisons between the produce of the colonies and the mother country.