FROZEN MEAT.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1073, 15 August 1883, Page 2

FROZEN MEAT.

Wo extract the tollowing from the August circular of the N. Z. L. and M. A. Company : The earnestness with which this trade is being prosecuted at every centre of production, and its rapid development at the chief ports of the Colony, has removed it from the sphere of novelty, and as was predicted some time ago, New Zealand promises to become (lie greatest meat exporting colony of Australasia. Already 84,141 carcases of mutton have been exported from the colony as shown by the undernoted table, to which may be added about 24,000 already frozen for shipment, and yet the trade is only in its infancy. In addition to the Companies already in full operation at Dunedin and Christchurch no less than live others arc floated or arc in course of formation at other points, viz., at Invercargill, Wellington, Auckland. -Blenheim', and Napier. This displays a confidence in the trade which wo believe results fully justify, -though wo must own to a scepticism on (ho score of available supplies. Up to the present there lias certainly been no difficulty in providing carg. or for all vessels with the necessary machinery visiting these shores, but when seven companies capable of refrigerating 50,000 to GO,OOO sheep per month are in Cull awing, it is doubtful if so largo a quantity will be forthcoming from the surplus of (locks, keeping in view the fact that the requirements for stocking

newlyreclaimod country is annually increasing. Far be it from us to discourage the trade but we deem it advisable to draw attention to the fact that even in the matter of sheep, the resources of the Colony are not illimitable. We are induced to offer these remarks, because it has come to our knowledge that some of the large sheep growers of the South Island are perfecting arrangements for the depatch of cargoes, independently of the companies, and it is not improbable that from Canterbury alone, 40,000 to 50,000 sheep may be exported in tin's manner during the year 1884. Reports to hand regarding the shipments per Fenstanton, Biitish Queen, and Lady Jocelyn are highly satisfactory and prove conclusively that New Zealand mutton—even the merino growth—is preferred to (bat from Australia, and realizes accordingly better prices. The sheep most in favour are the Down breed, which is worth noting in connection with special breeding for this trade, but plump quarterhacks and half-hrcds 1 up to 761 bs weight are highly esteemed, and realise full market rates. Shipments of frozen meat to date have been as follows : From Dunedin 48,227 sheep „ Lyttelton 14,538 ~ „ Wellington 6,424 ~ „ Bluff 6,550 „ „ Auckland 7,902 „ Total ..84,141 „