Frozen Hares for Export.

Manawatu Herald, 29 March 1894, Page 3

Frozen Hares for Export.

Writing from London on February 2nd, Mr S. Lowe, Government Expert, furnishes the Department of Agriculture with some valuable information in reference to the prospects ot opening up a trade in frozen hares and poultry. FROZEN HAKES. Upon the subject of frozen hares, he says : — At various times during the hist IVw year.3 there have arrived in London consignments of New Zeaiand hares, but the success has heeu so dubious that the business of forwarding regular consignments has hitherto been left in abeyance. Now, however, there is every probability that the experiment of placing frozi-n hares permanently on the English market is about to be carried out on genuine business lines. The .success of ihe experiment is veiy problematical ; but it. ha-; been uanfuliy investigated, and every arrangement that may conduce to its success most thoughtfully carried out. It will never be a big business nor free from fluctuations of price, which may ultimately ruin it and bring disaster upon those with whom ifc is connected. Unlike frozen meat, it is strictly a season trade, and also dependent largely for profit upon the uncertain conditions of wea her. This season Mr W. J. Tonkin, of Timaru, has been over and made a very exhaustive enquiry as to the prospects for a regular trade, and he is by no means sanguine of it 3 chances of success. He has visited the principal towns of England, and on ihe spot investigated the local conditions and requirements. After a thorough tour of inspection he has made arrangements for next season to consign hares to ono man only in each of the following pro f vincial towns : — Leicesier, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Newcastle -on - Tyne, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Arrangements are also made with several London firms to take quantities at certain prices. For some years I have been looking into this matter, but have never seen an auspicious opening for a good trade. The cost attaching to the scheme, compared with the prices realisable for the hare, making it a very hazardous experiment. From care 1 ful enquiries, I do not think it will be sale to calculate on obtaining more than 2s Gd to 3s per hare as an average price for the season, reckoning one year wiih another.