EXPORT OF MEAT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6474, 26 November 1881, Page 5

EXPORT OF MEAT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Your last week’s issue (of Nov. 12), contained the report of a meeting called to consider the advisability of steps being taken to form a company for the purpose of exporting produce under the refrigerating process, and it must afford satisfaction to many in Canterbury to learn that such a movement has taken place. After reading the Chairman’s remarks on the surplus sheep question, the impression left on the mind undoubtedly is that for a time past there has existed such an enormous annual surplus of fat sheep that the “ boiling-down ’’ establishments have been largely called into requisition as the only means of disposal. Having some interest in this subject, and statistics in my hands bearing upon it, I rather fear that the absence of reliable information at the meeting referred to has permitted opinions to go forth which will stand correction. The Chairman, in alluding particularly to the Washdyke establishment as the one which played the most important part in consuming this surplus, stated that he believed a considerable number of sheep—supposed to be fit for export—wore annually “ boiled down ” there, but a little investigation would seem to show this statement not to be very well borne out by the actual facts, which are as follows, viz.:— “ During the past nine years the to,a, number of sheep killed at the estalishmer.t in question has not reached 300,000, showing the average for this period to have been about 30,000 per annum, and of this annual average I am confidently informed that, at the most, not more than three or four thousand were sheep of such a class or condition as any sane man would ever dream of exporting to the London market.’’ From tin's it will be seen, that as far as South Canterbury is concerned, the vast number reported to have found an outlet by this means assumes more moderate proportions. That the Province of Canterbury is capable of contributing a large increase in the annual surplus of fat sheep no one for a moment will doubt, but that anything approaching the dimensions conveyed by the remarks made at the meeting has had, under ordinary circumstances, either a past or present existence is a fallacy which cannot be too soon exploded. If the exporting of fresh meat is likely, sooner or later, to become an established trade, as it is hoped it may, the sooner those interested in the subject are in possession of facts bearing upon the past and present surplus of sheep suitable for this purpose, the greater measure of success may be expected to attend any efforts put forth which have for their object—the providing of the means for conducting such an important mdustry.—l ani, &c. PRO BONO PUBLICO. Nov. 25, 1881.