What it May Come to.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 3 October 1891, Page 2

What it May Come to.

« The other day the Wellington papers were bewailing the hard fate of consumers of meat in that city. They stated that the primest of both beef and mutton was being shipped Home, and the inhabitants had to eat the second and third quality of meat, having also to pay a higher price for it. This is evidently an unfortunate position for the consumers, but they should remember that the rise is one of very much advantage to the farmers, and that it is only owing to the exertions of the farmer that the dwellers in towns are supported. They should rejoice greatly, and be glad, instead of grumbling. We can offer one suggestion to these dainty epicures, which will enable them to obtain a change of diet, commensurate with the length of their pockets, and that is, to try horseflesh. The proposal is nothing new, and many Frenchmen who experienced the siege of Paris, will eloquently speak of the delicacy this useful animal becomes, when pro- j perly cooked. Mr Knowles, an En glish M.P., succeeded lately in getting an Act of Parliament passed regulating the sale of horse-flesh, and he declares that any one who has eaten horse-flesh knows that it is excellent food. Think of this, ye citizens of VVellington, that Mr Knowles declares that baying lived upon a sirloin of pony for a fortnight he bitterly regretted going back to commonplace beef or mutton. The flavour of the horse-flesh he considered finer. An old horse wants treating like an old working bullock, he wants a rest, and quick fattening, and then, on the authority of Sir John Lubbock, we are entitled to state that the flesh will be quite tender ! The general flavour of this meat is considered to be half-way between beef and game, being something of the flavour of hare. It is coarser in the grain than beef, darker in colour, and looks more moist. In Paris there are 132 butcher's shops where horseflesh is sold, and in 1886, 13,377 horses, 304 asses, and 27 mules were killed tor food. In Berlin there are 36 horse butchers, and about 7,000 horses, asses and mules are killed each year. In Vienna there are 30 shops where horse-flesh is sold, and G,271 horsos are killed. ■■__■_— _.M-a _•___■_■■-«"