CONCENTRATING THE MEAT TRADE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9834, 17 September 1897, Page 6

CONCENTRATING THE MEAT TRADE.

"SO THS EDITOR OF THJS PRESS. Slß,—That the new sheepyard proposed to be erected at Sockbnm, or even if erected at Hornby, will be a step in the right direction, focussing the meat trade and the Chri&tchurch meat supply, is undoubted. It should have been done long ago, bnt various interests stayed it. However, now the matter is before the public, bo doubt it will prove a great gain to the traders in frozen meat, and also to the butchers, by concentrating the saieyards and the probable killing or public abattoirs close to them, and also close to the freezing factories. It would be as well if the butchers were to combine and buy their meat under one buyer, then having a cold chamber at the abattoirs they could grade their purchases by an expert, probably their buyer, into first quality, second and so on, aud take delivery at prices determined by such expert on the basis of the weekly market value of auch stock. I think some such place would obviate many difficulties arising from a multitude of buyers and small lota passing through the abattoirs, and, as undoubtedly the public inspection of all meat will have to be done, it would for economy be better at one place. I think no better position could be for all purposes than the beforementioned localities, for buyera for freezing purposes and the local trade, and I think the local trade would find it a better system than at present, ar. they could order any grade of meat wanted for their daily local supply of any quality suitable for their trade, and depend upon getting such under such a system as I have mentioned. Probably the public abattoir will pay gcxxl interest on its erection, and the meat supply of Christchurch and the trader be placed in a better position.—Yours, &c. # ; X.Y.