THE FROZEN MEAT TBADE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2760, 8 January 1895, Page 4

THE FROZEN MEAT TBADE.

[Otago Daily Times’ Correspondent]. Wkllington, Dec. 28. By the mail just to hand there have arrived from the Office. Pall Mall, copies of the specifications and conditions of the contract for the cold storage and supply of frozen mutton for the use of Her Majesty’s land forces at Malta and Gozo for a period of five years certain. Tenders are to be delivered at the military headquarters offices, the Palace, Valetta, by the lss February, 1895. By the terms of the draft lease and agreement the Crown grants upon lease, for £5 per annum, at Malta, 1089 square yards of land for the site of the works. Plans of the works are to be approved by the Commander-in-Chief, and the cost of the works is to be appraised on completion to admit of resumption at any time after the expiration of five years at the option of the Secretary for War, while at the expiration of the lease of 20 years, if not previously resumed by the purchaser, the works will become the property of the Crown, free of cost. As to the tenders for frozen mutton, the contractor will engage to supply the required quantity for five years at per 1001 b. It is specified that the meat shall be frozen mutton from Australia or New Zealand of sheep'not over five years old. Excessively fat mutton will not be taken, and carcases weighing less than 401 b will be rejected. Mutton for rations for tbe troops will not, without the consent of the contractors, be demanded in greater proportion than two-sevenths of the total issues of meat in any one week, provided that at least 14,0001 b of mutton per week is taken, and upon this basis a six months’ reserve stock, estimated at 400,0001 b weight, will be required to be kept in store. The contractor will be required to thaw, cut up, and deliver the meat to various barracks, and may, subject to regulation, supply private persons. Customs duty will be remitted, and payments made monthly. A surety in the sum of £2OOO is required for the fulfilof the contract.