SHIPPING LIVE STOCK TO ENGLAND.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1316, 14 June 1883, Page 4

SHIPPING LIVE STOCK TO ENGLAND.

According to the Sydney “ Mail " there is a possibility of an attempt being made to establish a live stock trade with England and India. Mr. D. F. McKay, of Singleton, has long entertained the idea that a live stock trade between Australia and England can be profitably conducted. He Was in Sydney last week with the object of chartering the steamship Austral for the purpose of making a trial shipment, but, through some reason of which we are not aware, was unable to do so. He is, however, determined to «ngage the first suitable steamer available. It is his intention to ship store cattle. He has of these several hundred head ready. The shipment will, if possible, be made from Newcastle. The Hunter farms will supply the necessary fodder. Maize, chaff, bran, and pumpkins are on the bill of fart aa a t present prepared. The animals are to be fed liberally; but if the voyage is quickly made, Mr. McKay thinks £3 15s per head will cover the cost of food. His experience leads him to infer that stock, if properly treated, will improve in condition during the voyage. His plans are almost complete. He will not attempt a shipment in any other than some speedy steamship, the holds of which are well Ventilated. The arrival of Australian stock is by some farseeing individuals even now anticipated in England. We find in “ Land and Water ” of a recent date the following comment:—“ The Great Eastern has been idle for many years, but a report is current that she is getting ready for work again. The wonder to many people is that she does not make a trial trip from the Colonies with a cargo of Jive sheep to England. If the voyage were possible, she could stow away some 10,000 head on board, which, at a prime cost of 10s. per head, should leave a Considerable margin of profit when landed here. If they could be brought to our shores in tolerable condition they would be worth 60s. per head for killing, and if the sheep were ewes they would bring a still higher figure, thus showing, say, 40s per head profit, or £20,000 on this cargo alone." Mr, McKay thinks cattle will leave a better margin of profit than sheep, and, as explained above, intends practically to test his opinion.