CHILLED BEEF.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 1 August 1911, Page 8

CHILLED BEEF.

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENTAL

SHIPMENT,

Writing under date June 9, the London correspondent of the Pastoralist's Review forwaras the following letter from Messrs Nelson Bros, giving information respecting the output of the experimental shipment of chilled beef from the Tomoana works by the Muntai: On March 10, 62 hinds and 10 fore quarters were taken from cattle slaughtered on that day, and _on March 16 placed on board the Muritai, lying at Napier. No chemicals were j used in any stage of the process, either in New Zealand or on board the ship. On May 4 the ship docked in London, and the chilled beef was immediately inspected. The most striking feature at once_ apparent was the air in the chamber was absolutely sweet and fresh,, there being no musty smell. I 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, the firmness of the fat, and the absensejaf objectionable odour. The prices realised were about fd per lb above those of frozen beef, namely, 4fd for hinds and 3|d for fores: The oeef may be described as not so much resembling the general chilled beef from South and North America, but rather that of homekilled 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 hid purposely been sent a considerable distance, and then cooked in the ordinary way for the table, was found to be tender ,'full of flavor, and equal io any beef wherever grown. , Further portions have been exposed t$ the atmosphere for six days, and are still in very good condition. ' 5 This experiment has clearly demonstrated the value of the process and its adaptability to any ordinary sea route , subject to some slight lnodifica-* tions, which inevitably present themselves after a trial shipment of this character. « The beef arrived at Smithfield when the chilled beef there was in small supply, and so it had a chance of selling on ,its merits. Salesmen on the market who saw and handled the beef, report that the condition of the beef was excellent ,a fact, indeed, which is confirmed by the prices. This shipment, of Messrs Nelson Bros., may be j °tated to be «. pronounced success, and importers will be looking Tor a continuance of the shipping under *h© patent.