CANTERBURY MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

Southland Times, Issue 1253, 20 May 1870, Page 3

CANTERBURY MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

(LyUelton. Times, May 12.) It is impossible to doubt the success of this experiment and equally its effect upon the pastoral interest. A fixed, if not a high, value, has now been placed upon what has hitherto been considered of no value. The surplus stock of this island, failing meat preserving, would soon have become absolutely worthless. Now, a value has been put upon the poorest sheep. As soon as the refuse hare been cleared away by the boiling-down establishments, we may expect to find that a fairly remunerative price will be established for good sheep. So much for the sheep farmer. Prom another point of view, the new industry is a cause for congratulation. The Canterbury Meat Company already finds remunerative employment for fifty men. It will soon have to be enlarged, and we may expect that room will be found in the province for other works of a similar kind. We cannot conclude without congratulating the management upon its successful com • mencement, which reflects the highest credit on. all concerned. Subjoined we give a calculation which has been handed to us by a gentleman who has had a mob of sheep preserved. It will be seen that sheep averaging 471bs. are calculated to yield a net return of seven shillings. ESTIMATED BKSTXLI OP PRESERVING- SHEEP. 8. d. B. d. Charge for tinning, &c., per lb., cases, &o 0 2\ Freight, at 52s 6d per ton ... 7 0 Insurance, 40s do ... 1 5 Lighterage, 10s do 14 Commission, 2£ per cent ... 1 9J Brokerage, 1 per cent 0. 8JExchange, 1 per cent ... ... 0 8J Or equal to per case ... 12 Ui 0 1 Or per lb 0 3* Preserved meat sells for 0 6 Leaves a balance per lb. ... ... 0 2\ The whole sheep produces meat, say 181bs, at 2£d, at above ... 3 9 Skin 1 1 Tallow, lOlbs. at 36s (selling now at 45s in London) 3 2J 8 0* Less boiling down, 9d ; casks, 3|d ... 1 0} Total returns nett for a sheep of 45 toSOlbs ... 7 0 We learn that the congregation at "Wallacetown — the Bey. Mr Stevens' — have presented Mr W. V. Wilson, who has acted for some time past as leader of the psalmody in the church, with a handsome family bible, together with a purse of sovereigns, as a mark of their appreciation of his services.