THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 68, 22 March 1898, Page 4

THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Mr H. C. Cameron, the New Zealand expert in London, has forwarded to the Agricultural Department through the AgentGeneral a report in which he _str«,es that during the month of January only 22,375 carcases of mutton and 2,187 carcases of lamb were received. Commenting on this, he remarks :—" It would naturally be expected that this unusually small quantity of mutton coming forward would have materially helped to firm prices, especially as only very light shipments are looked for for some time. Instead, however, trade is exceptionally dull with low prices. This is all the more remarkable as at this time of the year with favourable weather, such as we are now experiencing, prices in former years could he generally counted upon' to harden, and it is difficult to account for the unsatisfactory state of things at present prevailing. There certainly is not, as there should be, any increasing demand for"New Zealand mutton, and I can only again urge that producers in New Zealand should seriously consider the best means to be taken by them to materially improve markets for their meat in this country. It is deplorable to think that such a great industry should have to remain almost stationary as it has done during the past few years, or at all events that what increase in consumption has been gained should only be attained by the acceptance ot reduced prices, when it is undoubted that by energetic measures being taken by producers themselves there is a large field ready for development. Fortunately for the shippers of the few lambs that have come to hand, prices for these have been good—as high as 7d per lb having been readily paid for those of the finest quality. The number arriving so far has of course been small, and as an early lamb season may be said to commence here on the Ist of February, the demand is much in excess of the supply. Although a number of the lambs have been of exceptionally fine quality, others have certainly been no credit to the colony, lacking condition and finish, and as there was a demand which had to be supplied, shippers of them may be considered lucky in obtaining for them the prices realised." The Wellington "Times," commenting on this report, suggests a system of State .supervision similar to that at present existing in connection with dairy produce.

Mons. E. Toilet, Consul General for Belgium for Australasia, at Melbourne, has arrived in this city and is staying at the Star Hotel.

A rowing boat, the Olive, 21ft long, built by Mr Robert Reid, boatbuilder, put up a record at the Coromandel Regatta, winning no less than five races and £25 in prize money, viz., Senior Four-oared Race, £10 ; Junior Fours, £6; Senior Pair Oar, £4; Junior Pair Oar, £3 ; Ladies' Sculling Race, £2. The owner. Mr A. Chapman, writes warmly congratulating Mr Reid on the success of the smart little craft, and sends the builder a present from the successful crews.

An old and much respected Thames resident in Mr W. Bobbett passed away at a private hospital in Karangaliape Road yesterday. Deceased was a butcher by trade and was in his 62nd year. Until a few years ago he was a prominent horse owner, and with Tetford, Lady Norah, Libeller, Patchwork, Quadrant and others he won races. Deceased was a widower, his wife having died about live weeks ago. He leaves behind him some young children.

At the Board of Education meeting today it was announced the Act fixed the •25th of April next as the day for holding meetings of householders to elect school committees. It was agreed to advertise the different meetings as usual.

Following the lead of the city, Mr J. W. Shackelford, Mayor of Newton, gave notice at last night's meeting of the Newton Borough Council that he would move in due course that a charitable aid rate ot 3d in the £be struck. A sum of £77 10s 7d was passed for ctfaritable aid at the meeting.

Mr W. H. Sallmon, M.A.. travelling secretary of the Australasian Christian Students' Union, arrived by the s.s. Alameda from Sydney. His object is to visit the Unions established by Mr Mott, Secretary of the Woi'ld's Federation of these Unions, and also where possible to establish other ones. Mr Sallmon intends addressing the three existing Unions in Auckland, and will also speak at the Opera House next Sunday evening. The Primate has invited the visitor to a reception at Bishop^ Court to which ministers of all denominations will be invited, representatives of educational institutions, and leading business men. Mr Sallmon leaves for the South about the end of next week, calling at Napier, Gisborne, Whanganui, and Wellington on the way.

The election of a chairman of the Board of Education takes place on April sth. It is understood there will be no opposition to the present chairman, Mr S. Luke.

Inspector Hickson received a telegram yesterday afternoon stating that a man named H. De Blois had dropped dead at the Kimihia races. De Blois' wife and family live in Abercrombie-street. Deceased was at one time connected with the Salvation Army. According to the statement of a bookmaker who was present at the races, De Blois was in the act of accepting £1 from a man as a bet on a race, when lie fell backwards and died immediately. Death is thought to be due to heart disease.

In connection with the National Independent Order of Oddfellows' sports the following handicaps have been declared : — Past Grand Masters' Race, 100 yards : R. Lawford, scratch ; W. J. Phillips, Siyds: W. Bain, 6yds; W. McDowell, 20yds. Committee Men's Race, 75 yards: E. Nyberg, R. Lawford, scratch ; Rutherford, 2vds ; Humby, syds; Fricker, syds ; Jackson, 6yds ; Cork, 6yds; Henry, 7yds ; Glover, 7yds; Culhane, Syds; "Ware, 10yds; Buck, 12yds; McDowell, 14yds; Pcnlson, 16yds.

The many friends of Mr Sheath and his family will"be pleased to learn in connection with the sad accident to Miss Sheath that more favourable symptoms set in today.

At Beresford - street Congregational Church on Sunday evening last, the Rev. Joseph Parker, in the course of his special address to young women, made reference to the young woman who had been recently convicted of manslaughter in this city. He said that he regretted that at a time when the young woman was least fitted to have the care of her child she took it out of the home where it was being cared for. The fault of the mother was in his mind an evidence that she ought not to have the child at all; in France or in Russia a mother under similar conditions would not have been forced to take charge of her child again, and he hoped the day would come when in Auckland there would be an institution that would know the mind of Christ so as to care most for the helpless when sin abounded. Special reference was also made to the death of Miss Frances Willard. A large congregation was present at the service,

Owing to violent gales in the South'td. graphic communication with the S Island was interrupted to-day all x? , being refused for that: part' of the «,£ Wk except for Nelson and Blenheim At 1 West Coast, where the lines are stilft working order. • Owing to the interruK of the wires intelligence as to the 35 the rifle championship at Oauiaru £t en delayed. Yesterday Mr J. McGreJft the Oamaru Eifle Oik, was leading R° championship belt. ° tbe The Hon. Jas. Carroll was in att-^,l. at the Government Buildingf a-Sfe morning engaged in department work He will leave for the native poE meeting at Huntly, to which he has £ specially invited early on Thursday-JJJ inc. and will probably return at the end Jf the week. \ esterday afternoon Mr CarnX was shown over the Blind Instituted I arnell. ■ • - The R M.s. Oceania, with Melbourne mai a of February 16th, arrived in LandS on Sunday, due date. "" ■ The timbering of the railway tunnel at Parnell is to be replaced with concrete a«rl steps are being taken to commence the work shortly.- About 10,000 cubic yardsof earth will be excavated" during the wS ot the-work, and it is proposed to use°tbU earth for the purpose of helping to reclaim Mechanic's Bay. Our correspondent Mr J. Thornes, in his letter last evening L II error, however, in stating that "whenthe work is finished Mechanic's Bay will be as nearly reclaimed as Freeman's Bay' k now," We learn on good authority that the earth to be removed from the tunnel works'will not reclaim more than an acre of the Bay, which is considerably less than Mr Thornes' statement would imply. '; ■ Cambridge is about to lose its Weslevan clergyman, Rev. Lewis Hudson, formerly of the North Shore. He has been transferred to Queensland, and he'will-be stationed at Ipswich, a town of 12,000 in. habitants situated about 24 miles from Brisbane. :

Messrs Partridge and Woollams, tobacconists, whose premises were destroyed in the D.S.C. fire, have had paid to them thi full amount of their claim for insurance? namely, £9,000. The representatives [\ the companies interested, the South. BritisL National and North German, met yestep. day afternoon at Mr G. S. Graham's office and paid over the money to Mr Partridge who expressed satisfaction at the promptl' tude of the adjustment and settlement. To-morrow the Ferry Company will tuO excursion steamers to Lake Takapuna leaving the ferry tee at 10.30 and 2.30. At a quarter to two the s.s. Admiral will also leave the ferry tee on an excursion to the fishing grounds. Bait will be provided.

An interesting programme is elsewhere announced for the first annual meeting ot the Central Mission, which takes place this evening in the Central Hall, Albert-street. Tea at 6 p.m. Various reports, addresses, and musical items will be rendered.

To-morrow evening a sacred concert will be given in the Victoria Hall, Rose Bank Road, Avondale. Mr Manders will preside and give an address, and an attractive nmsical and miscellaneous programme will be gone through. Amongst those who will contribute items will be Misses Smith; Midgely, Eyes, Harper, Knight, Jackson, Mrs Jackson, Mrs Smith, Messrs Higgott, Pickard, Jackson, Crafts, Muldoon, Manders and Robertson. A 'bus will ran out from Auckland as advertised.

The departure of the 10.20 p.m. train to Onehunga will be delayed to-morrow even* ing till 11 p.m. in order to enable Manukau residents to visit the Opera House.

To-morrow at 2 p.m. Messrs Baker Bros, will auction two properties at Onehnnga, 20 allotments at Corontandel, and a residence at Mount Eden; .. . ;;;.,,; ; \s

The annual sermon in connection ivitij the Church of England Temperance Society, was preached last evening by.the Hey. Lyttelton Fitzgerald in St; Matthew's Church to a large congregation; Several anthems were rendered admirably by an efficient choir.

Mr R. C. Can-, auctioneer, advertises that he will sell the Bear Gardens, Devonport, sub-divided in building lots, ou Thursday, 31st inst.

Ifc is a great mistake te disregard tho first symptoms of indigestion. By so doing you will render yourself liable to serious ill-health. Take Nurse Woodward's Health Syrup.—(Advt.)

Bundles of clothing containing coats and trousers, damaged by fire and water, lsper bundle. Very useful for boys' clothing.— D.S.C.—(Advt).

Salvage sale—Blankets, flannels and flannelettes now brought forward. A grand chance for institutions, hotelkeepefs, and others to buy winter blankets. D.S.C.—Ad*