MEAT CURING IN OTAGO.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 153, 2 July 1869, Page 2

MEAT CURING IN OTAGO.

Q . . - We (Otago Daily Times) have pleasure in noticing an experiment by a Dunedin firm to give a practical solution to the interesting question — how is our redundant sheep stock to be profitably used? Recent sale prices invest this matter with considerable importance, as it is evident ' that sheep are now selling below their real value, purchases having been made of large numbers of broken-mouthed ewes, at half-a-crown a head, if not less; and good fat wedders have been sold for ss. or 6s. a piece. Messrs. Service, Gibson, and. Go. have made so far a successful attempt at their estate of Ashley Down, near the Waiwera, and have produced several tons of mutton hams and rolled fore-quarters of superior quality, with the view of making trial shipment to England. Well cured and spiced mutton hams should find a ready sale in the chief manufacturing towns, if produced at a moderate price, and we understand that these can be: sold in England at Bd. a pound, and leave a handsome profit to the New Zealand exporter. If a market could be obtained for them, a large outlet would be opened up for getting rid of our surplus flocks with advantage. If the flock-owner can get ten, twelve, or fifteen shillings each for carcases of prime quality, a new era of prosperity to the pastoral interests would be the result. In the experiment alluded to, each sheep makes two: ■hams ' and two rolls. After the hams are cut off, the side and shoulder, from which all the ' bones are Removed, are carefully rolled up ; and cured. Jlt appears extraordinary that consumers - here should; prefer imported bacon, often of doubtful feeding and quality, and costingeighteenpenee a pound; . ■ to colonial hams, costing ouly half the ■ money. TKe .mutton hams and rollj can be sold in Dunedin at prices ranging from ;4d. to 6d. per ib., . and form an easily cooked .; and v palatable addition to the \ breakfastrtable; In the state of y the /Colony,; 'it is .surely to give up ' the ibsanX pra^tii^^ >I}nglan^s : '!:-duces;/of/': ; be'tte^ lainong;;^ -'j;tbl : ;jthe'U^^ hayeitble $>ene-> of staying the impoverishment I *|qfc^he>i^ ■■inon ey;