THE FROZEN MEAT MARKET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9366, 24 November 1893, Page 6

THE FROZEN MEAT MARKET.

Nelson Bros., limited, report from London on October 12 as follows:—With moderate supplies of meat on offer in the cattle markets at Islington and Deptford, and by no means large quantities at the Central Meat Market, a firmer tons might have been looked for, but trade has been excessively dull and with a very restricted demand. Prices have receded, the weather yesterday and to day is favourable and early this morning a rather brisker business was done, but at no advance in price. Frozen mutton has not maintained the advance made three weeks ago, and mußb now bo quoted at &d per lb less money for both New Zealand and Australian. There has been no heavy arrivals from New Zealand to account for the fall, it is consequent on the lack of demand and flatness of trade generally prevailing, helped perhaps in some degree by the not first-class quality of the sheep put on the market. The fall in Australian mutton is entirely due to competition. Stocks are fairly light, but are distributed amongst several consignees, and a desire to roalise has caused lower prices to be taken. The Duke of Argyll brings the first shiptneub of Queensland sheep sent home for some months. They are nice, compact, small sheep, in good condition, a very marked improvement on those received earlier in the year, and an evidence that the Darling Downs have recovered from the effects of drought .and floods. The colonists are threatened with another competitor in "The Straits of Magellan Frozen Meat Company, Limited," which has just been registered. Some few years ago Falkland Island owners took up country in Patagonia, transferring part of their flocks. This company apparently is the outcome of their enterprise. It remains to be eeen whether the country has a climate less rigorous than the Falkland?, so that sheep can be killed at any time of the year and not only at the close of summer as in those Islands. Frozen Beef.—The very heavy consignments by the Duke of Sutherland and Duke of Argyll have had the anticipated effect, and prices have fallen considerably, and though owners have shown every inclination to meet buyers, sales so far have been very limited. The Fifeshiro from Brisbane and Townsville with some 900 tons, or about 10,000 quarters, may be looked for tomorrow, and still further add to the difficulty of disposal. The market cannot absorb such an amount of meat in addition to its ordinary regular supplies of American and home-killed, and the sooner the colonies are persuaded that there is not an unlimited market at nome the better it will be for themselves. Our quotations to-day are for hindquarters 2fd, and fores 2Jd. The calves ex Duke of Argyll have not been put on the market, but with the plentiful supply of Dutch veal constantly coming forward and selling at low prices, remunerative rates cannot be looked for. , Pork.—No Australian or Now Zealand on offer. Plate frozen pork selling at about 4d per lb.