LONDON MEAT MARKET.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7871, 23 May 1891, Page 3

LONDON MEAT MARKET.

The following is Mkssbs Hbnbt S. Fit-_b amd Sons' report for the New Zealand mail under daje liondon, April Sni:— During the past week trade has been rather disturbed by the holidays. The supply of home-killed meat continues fairly strong, and prices remain low. American beef has been plentiful, but mostly of inferior quality, prices of which have not improved.

There is now more frosen mutton on the market, but really good sheep are venr scarce. Unfortunately a large quantity of New Zealand lamb has lately arrived, and as prices |were good, everyone was anxious to sell, consequently the market has been pressed, and prices have fallen considerably. This sudden collapse ia greatly due to the practice (which we consider a bad one) that some sellers have of disposing of large parcels of sheep and lambs ex ship to men en the market. When there is a fair quantity on offer, these men naturally will not buy unless there is a considerable margin left for the risk they are taking, and when there Is a large quantity on hand and prospects of a fall in the market, they can only be induced to purchase at greatly reduced P" 1 the result being that purchasers ,_ "aye bought at low prices, commence selling immediately at the lowest possible margin of profit, so that instead of prices tailing gradually, they come down with a rush, and all attempts to steady them are useless.

this season of the year we can do with a fair quantity of good lambs, and make a good price of them, but v too many arrive so early it is difficult to make anything like a fair price of them unless they are very carefully handled. The trade for frozen beef has been very slow during the past fortnight, owing to the low price of the American beef. There has been a fair demand for good oxen or maiden heifer hind-quarters at 3s, but the fore-quarters are selling very slowly at to-day's quotations. We regret to say that lately we have had a few stinking hind-quarters in the various shipments, and we would impress upon shippers to do all they can to avoid this, as this putrid beef does the trade so much harm.

To-day's prices are as follows:—Scotch sheep, 4s 4d to 4s 8d per stone of 81b; English, 4s to 4s 4d; Continental, 3* 8d to 4s; ewes, 3s 2d to 3s6d; Canterbury, New Zealand, sheep, 3s to 3s 2d; Wellington, 2s lOd to 3s; Sydney sheep, 2s 7d to 2s 8d; River Plate, 2s sd; New Zealand lambs, best, 4s to 4s 4d; New Zealand lambs, inferior, 3. 4d to 3s 8d; New Zealand beef, hind-quarters, 3s; New Zealand beef, forequarters, 2s 4d.