NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 24

NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Arrivals of mutton during the last two ■weeks have totalled 255,037 carcases from Nev Zealand. The hope that prices could be raised somewhat has not been realised, offerings of medium and large-sized ca-r-<iases being more than the present restricted demand can absorb; while values of 6mall sheep are depressed by the low price of tegs. Prime Canterbury sheep, under 561b, cannot be quoted at raor© tjian 3Ad per Ib. The 561b to 644b grade is offered at 3d, and heavy carcases range down to 2gd. Beet brand of North Island- Bheep of small weight realise 3d to 3£d per lb, but the large grades do not attract buyers even at 2id to 2|d per lb. Ordinary qualities are being boW at 2d to 2id for large sheep, a-nd 2{d to 2jd for smaller weights. Ewes are steadj at 2&<J to 2id per lb.

Unseasonably low temperatures are snainly responsible for some slackening off in. the demand for lamb during the fortmight, an-d, as arrivals are very heaw — 50J),211 carcases from New Zealand, 12,486 from Australia and 15,385 from South America — a further sharp reduction in prices has to be recorded. Canterbury iambs are offered at 4&d per lb for under 361b, 3|d for 361b to 421b, and 3gd for 421b to 501b, but as prices have fallen so rapidly of late buyers are now onlj operating for iheir requirements from day to day. Wellington Down lambs of small weight are offered at 4d per lb, and medium weights M 3£d to 33d per lb. The sale of other iflorth Island lambs is slow and difficult, Notwithstanding the very low level of prices ■Jiovf current. Carcases under 321b are offered at 33 d per lb, and the 36Ux=to 421b grade at 3id per lb, while 421b to 501b carcases realise only, about 3id to 3id. Short, supplies on the spot and weather favourable., to the demand for beef, ia tn« only department of yie meat trade with an element of strength. The market pj^es steady at full prices, Messrs Weddel giving the quotation as 4|d per lb for New Zeala&d hindquarters, and 2gd for foreijUArtere. In the report of the National Mortgage fc.ncT Agejicy Company it is noted that the market for the better classes of New Zealand multon remains without any improvemeajtj in fact, there is some weakness for

prime light 6heep owing to values of heavy lambs coming down to euch a low le\el. Canterbury sheep. to 561b, cannot be quoted at more than 3|d to 3^l per lb. 561b to 641b at 3d to 3Jd, and over 641b at 2id to 2|d per lb. Best brands of North Island sheep sell at 21d to 3d per lb for light, 2£d to 2jd per lb for medium, and 2id to 2Jd per lb for heavy carcases. Ordinary North Island brands range from 2d for heavies up to 2|d per lb for light weights. Ewes, when of light weight, vary from 2d to 2|d per lb. In the last four woelcs 307,360 carcas&s kave been received from New Zealand.

Under the pressure to make sales, prices of New Zealand lamb have eteadily declined, and the National Mortgage and Agency Company gives the present value of Canterbury on Smithfield as about 4^d for the 28-361b grade, 3jjd for 36-421b, and 3£d for the 42-501b. Best brands of North Island make 4d for 28-361b, 3|d to 3Jd for 36-421b, and 3kl for the 42-501b grade.

Ordinary brands sell at about «d per lb less.' In the last month 690.555 carcases of lamb have come from New Zealand, 40.150 from Australia, and -52,360 from the River Plate. Prices of frozen beef have become rather firmer in the month, and the market has in that interval ruled steady in sympathy with chilled beef.

The C.C and D. Company gives the following list of steamers' which have arrived within the past week carrying New Zealand meat :— Havke's Bay. with 35,397 carcases of New Zealand cheep ; Tokomaru, with 32,245 carcases ; Whakarua, with 28,112 carcases; Buteshire, with 33,748 carcases; and Arawa, with 27,380 carcases — a total of 156,882 carcaeee for the week. The demand shows no improvement, and values are practically unchanged. Small sheep are very scarce and in request, and heavy weights are a little firmer, the bottom quotation now being 2Jd per lb, but the output is far below requirement*. Stocks of lamb have this week been increased by 304,454 carca?e> from the Dominion. The C.C. and D. Company reports prices as being distinctly weaker, and the output ia qu.te unequal to coping \sith the heavy arrivals Light Canterbury lambs have been pold at 4id per lb. and medium weight can be bought at 3ad to 4d per lb. North Island descriptions have naturally shared in the rnmement, and th? top quotation for these is now only 3£d per lb, and ordinary carcases are. offered at 3td per lb. Some good quality Australian beef has been selling on a parity with Now Zealand and Argentine. On provincial markets forequarters are rather- better than the London prices. New Zealand hindquarters are quoted by the C.C and D. Company at 4|d to 4^d per lb, and forequarters at 3d per lb.

DAtRY PRODUCE.

For New Zealand and Australian butter the demand is very clow, and little business is passing in consequence. Prices show a declining tendency, especially for Australian descriptions. There are no shipments this week, and arrivals consist of only the Osweatry Grange with 15,942 boxes from Australia. The cheese market is described by Messrs Weddel as being featurelees, with declining prices. The National Mortgage and Agency Comp-

any remarks that there is very little finest quality New Zealand butter now on the market, anything- that is left over being of a secondary nature. In New Zealand cheese trade has gone very slowly indeed. The arrivals for the last two or three steamers have been in a forward condition, and buyers do not take kindly to them, thus causing lower prices to bo taken to effect sales. Finest white New Zealand is quoted at 58s to 59s per cwt, and finest coloured at 58s to 595.

Prices for colonial salted butter are steacly, wKile tlie scarcity of unealted Has caused higher prices for that description. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company quotes New Zealand butter at 102s to 105s, with 108s for choice unsalted. Trade in cheese has been on the slow side, and quotations are 2s lower on the week.