LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 912, 28 January 1868, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents.

Sir, — By your leader of the 14th instant," and the articles from the Otago Times and other papers which you have published on the subject of preserving meat for export, you have called attention to a matter of great importance to this province, and indeed to the colony at large.

I believe in Hawke's Bay the effect of its solution would be — to double the value of land and stock, to bring the plains and all agricultural land under cultivation as fattening 1 stations, to introduce a large rural population, to bring shipping to Napier, to increase the port and inland towns, and to give an impetus to every trade and calling. If this be true (and the establishment of a very profitable export, limited only by our means of supplying it, must infallibly lead to such results), it is surely worrh while to use our best efforts to obtain them ; but hitherto we have been contented to leave the discovery to scientific men. "It is true," the Times says, " no subject could be more worthy of their attention ; success would make the difference of health and disease, almost of life and death, to thousands, if not millions, in England and in other parts of Eui'ope. If once achieved, there need no longer be any anxiety as to our supply of animal food," &c. ; but ought not we, who are so greatly interested in furnishing tins supply, to do all in our power to effect it, or at least to prepare the way for a scientific discovery ?

With this view I beg to suggest that you kindly open your columns for the.discussion of this question, and that you invite information and suggestions from all who

may have considered it ; that as soon as we arrive at a bolter knowledge than we now possess of the progress which has been already made, and of the diflieultics winch have yet to be overcome, a public meeting be called for consideration of the subject, and for the appointment of a.committee aud secretary to correspond with

the adjacent provinces and colonies, and to invite their co-operation in_ a work which they are as much interested in as ourselves, also to call the individual attention of our own scientific men (and possibly of those also in Europe) to the subject, and to take such other stepg as the. committee so appointed mighOhink best calculated to effect our purpose.

. - I conclude, from the perusal of the articles published by you, that some progress has been made ; that "a full description of. Mr. Nicollas 1 freezing apparatus has been published" ; that it is. stated to be efficacious and inexpensive, and is about to be perfected. If this be the case, and the discovery be available to us, it only remains to give it", as great publicity as. possible ;' but should it be proved that no really practicable method Has yet been hit upon, or that it is. available to the discoverer only, I would further suggest that we open, a subscription, list in Hawke's Bay, with a view to raise, when required, the sum of £500, to be added to such sums as may be raised in other, pastoral provinces for. the same purpose, and paid to the discoverer of a means by which we may land in England, in good marketable condition, and at moderate expense, one or more, cargoes of preserved. fresh meat from New Zealand ; .that the committee invite the other provinces to contribute in proportion to their importance, so as to increase the £500 contributed by Hawke's Bay to £5000, or to such an amount as would b'e' worth the Attention of inventive men. In the meantime, we might consider — firstly, cannot ice (already used in Europe for such purposes) be efficaciously applied to long voyages through the. tropics ; if so, from what locality can it best be obtained, and at what cqst? secondly, what would be the cost of slaughtering and preparing for exportation? thirdly, should the meat be sent in carcase, for easier packing, or cut into joints, ready for immediate sale on arrival ? fourthly, what would be the cost of freight and other incidental expenses ? fifthly, would not the work be best carried out by a company, so as to ensure a good article being supplied, upon which so much would depend ?

I observe the price quoted in the London market is Bd. per Ib. If we could realize half that sum, after paying expenses, we should do well.

Hoping that this letter may lead, to the consideration of the subject, by others better acquainted with it than myself, — I am, &c,

A. H. Russell. Mangakuri, Hawke's Bay, January 22, 1868. P.S. — As the proposed reward would be payable only in case of complete success, we could well afford to pay up our subscriptions when necessary.

Sib,— Permit me, through the medium of your columns, to call the attention of the authorities to a great nuisance, that exists in certain parts of Hastings-street, arising from the number of sheep, &c, that are slaughtered there, the effluvia from which, owing to the excessive heat of the weather, is such as to be almost unbearable to persons living in the vicinity. Perhaps this hint' nlay induce the Inspector of Nuisances, if we have such a person connected \pith our large staff of officials, to give a look round, and put a stop to the above before it gets any worse. — I am, &c, A SOTFEHEIt.

Sib,— Will you permit me, through the medium of your open column, to enquire why the inland prize firing is advertised to be held at Waipukurau, after a sum of money having been placed on the estimates for district prizes at Waipavra? There is surely some mistake in reference to the above announcement, as .such an arrangement is ill adapted to suit the convenience of intending competitors, especially of those belonging to ISTos. 5, 6, and 8 Companies of Militia, and of the Waipavra Mounted Volunteers. — I am, &c., Bull's Eye.