COMMERCIAL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 163, 27 June 1911, Page 11

COMMERCIAL.

CHILLED BEEF FROM TOMOANA. The following particulars with regard to the trial shipment of chilled beef from Tomoana by the Muritai have been supplied by the Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company, Limited. The shipment was made under the process recently patented by Sir Montague Nelson, Mr. Walter Tyson, and Mr. John Dicks. On March 10th sixty-two hind and ten forequarters were taken from cattle slaughtered on _that day, and on March 16th placed on board the Muritai lying at Napier. No chemicals were used in any stage of the process, either in New Zealand or on board the ship. On May 4th the ship docked in London, and the chilled beef was immediately inspected. The most striking feature at once apparent was that the air in the chamber was absolutely sweet and fresh, there being no musty smell. The general condition of the meat was bright, fresh, and free from mildew. The beef was sent to the Central Meat Market on the following morning. It attracted the attention of all the prominent dealers, and was generally admired, the points most commented upon being the softness and dryness of

the meat, the firmness of the fat, and the absence of any objectionable odour. The following expressions of opinion were from representative men on the market, including North and South American importers:—" The beef is in excellent condition, and I shall want nothing better.” “ I must congratulate you upon the success you have attained.” “It is in excellent condition.” “Capital; I have never seen better.” “It is indeed good.” “Very good indeed. Can you do a quantity as w’ell ?” The prices realised about fd per lb above those of frozen beef, namely, 4|d for hinds and 3|d for fores. The beef may be described as not so much resembling the general chilled beef from North and South America, but rather that of Home-killed beef hung in a dry atmosphere. The greatest test of the beef, of course, occurs in dealing with it retail; and in this respect it has more than answered expectations. Part of a quarter that had been purposely sent a considerable distance and then cooked in the ordinaryway for the table, was found to be tender, full of flavour, and equal to any beef wherever grown. Further portions have been exposed to the atmosphere for "six days, and were still in very good condition.