Frozen Meat Trade,

Manawatu Herald, 3 April 1894, Page 2

Frozen Meat Trade,

Mr A. Towers under xlate of 28rd Fehvuary reports : — The Trade diiring the past month has been very slow, and but for very small supplies 4here^ wogld have been a serious shrinkage lQ^ces all round.

The principal arrivals have been the " Eangatira " and " Aorangi" frcan New Zealand ports, bat as the latter, liaA 5ar 8« consignments of butter and 'cheese, her quantity of meat was small. The winter bo far has generally been of a mild character, so tnat^fhe English farmers are looking forward to recoup themselves in whole or part^fpr the severe losses caused by the longt^ijboght of last year. We may therefon^luy* a much larger supply of home pro^fatie jfthan was anticipated. This would jftflitate against high prices for Frozen M*t}tfe; Of Mutton the stocks tai^m^.low, and prices remain firm. j^ralt^eanterbury brands are making ap to >§/jL^'ior choice parcels. Other brands of Ze'fliad Mutton remain steady. Australian "^ntton suddenly advanced 14 daVsagaXpwing to restricted arrivals, and have 'ftfi^ained firm since. The present values, however, canj not be maintained when larger shipments oome forward. It is. a long time since Australian Mutton reached -so high a figure. ■ The " Eangatira " brought about 4,000 North Canterbury Lambs, and these have proved to be up to the usual, standard of quality. On account of the mild weather they are meeting a fair demand, and the y present price is decidedly higher than will be maintained. Beef. —There is a shrinkage^ in rvalue of id per lb caused chiefly by large arrivals of American Chilled Beef. This ie quoted at 8/4 to 3/6 for hinds and 2/5 to 2/6 for fore quarters. As the next large consignment of Queensland beef is not expected for some Bix weeks, there is room.fdr;a^rebvind in values, At the same time" the^sbipmenta ex " Otarama " were not equal in quality to previous arrivals, and therefore are not so saleable. The present quotations are— mutton. : New Zealand, best North Can- • terbury .. . .. 3i —3/1 New Zealand medium and good > grades .. .. 2/9—2/lS Australian and Queensland sheep .. .. 2/7 LAMB. Best North Canterbury %. 4/2—4/4 BEEP. New Zealand, hind quarters, prime .. .. nOne. Now Zealand, fore quarters, Prime .. .. none. Queensland, hind quarters 2/5 —2/6 tore „ .. 2/2 -2/3