FROZEN MEAT FROM WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9151, 5 September 1888, Page 5

FROZEN MEAT FROM WAIKATO.

The manager of the Frozen Meat and Storage Company has written the following letter to a Waikato settler : —" Referring to our conversation this morning on the subject of beef shipment to London, and in reply to your enquiries in this connection, I am authorised to suggest the following terms and conditions, as the basis of an arrangement which our company would be prepared to enter into under approved guarantee from beef-growers in Waikato. The shipping companies cannot be induced to send a vessel here for less than 350,000!b5. We may, therefore, fix that as the quantity wo must undertake to prepare and the growers to provide. The cattle must be delivered at our slaughteryards, Otahuhu, in such numbers, and on such dates as may be required by us, and the delivery to commence at least five weeks before date of shipment, which must not bo sooner than two months from this (31st August) date. The whole carcase in quarters to be frozen and prepared for shipment ; our company bearing the cost of slaughtering and railage to Auckland, and all other expenses after delivery of the cattle at our yards, Otahuhu, including delivery of tho frozen meat on board ship at the railway wharf. The whole of tho hides and offal to belong to our company, in addition to a charge of one farthing per lb. on the dressed weight, nett cash, payable on delivery of bill of lading, meat covers to be provided by shippers, or paid for extras at cost to us. Our company to be held free from any liability for loss or damage to stock or carcases, from stoppage of machinery or other causes, unless it can be proved that such loss or damage was occasioned by actual negligence on the part of the company or its servants. At your request and for your guidance, I will give you, approximately, the total of expenses which the growers would have tc meet after delivery of the cattle at Otahuhu, and in addition to our charge of one farthing per pound. Freight on 350,0001b, at l|d .. .. £1,642 12 6 Primage, 5 per cent $•> 0 0 London charges— H per lb.. . 546 '17 9 Insurance on value—say £3000—S per tout 120 0 0 Calico bag ;- i.ay 'Xkh>- -at Is fld.. . 150 0 0 R<j.ua! to I V?-l«tth par lb .. .. £2.539 10 0 Say 2d per ii, including our charge of £d. Referring to the above letter, the Waikato Times say.® : —•'» We are of tho opinion that this quantity (&>o,<XWlb«) ought to be forthcoming from the Waikato alone, without difficulty, or say boar 2000 iambs, -000 wethers, and 200 horned cattle. As the shipment could not be arranged earlier than at least two months from now, it would be as well, if the venture is considered desirable, that steps be taken at once to ascertain what support stockowners in the Waikato are pared to give towards carrying it into effect. There are obvious reasons for urging meat producers to take the matter seriously into their consideration. In the first place, the venture would result most satisfactorily to them, owing to the improved and favourable condition of the English market. The total cost of the shipment, as the above letter shows, would be at most 2d per lb. The average quotations at home are per lb, thus leaving a clear margin of profit of 2£d. Then, again, as the shipments relieve the local markets, better prices here will be obtained for live stock, particularly if the export trade increases in volume, of which there is every probability "