THE New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. CENTRAL FROZEN MEAT STORES FOR WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1315, 13 May 1897, Page 20

THE New Zealand Mail. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. CENTRAL FROZEN MEAT STORES FOR WELLINGTON.

Those who have given the matter earnest consideration will admit that the time has arrived to secure the best results and further advance the interests of our proJucers, there should be adopted a plan whereby the “ tramping ” of ocean liners along our coasts for cargo should be rendered unnecessary. It lias already been announced that the Union Steam Ship Company is about to put on a class of steamer to trade to coastal ports which will render easy and safe the shipping by them of frozen meat, dairy and other produce. But to make the whole thing a success, there must be established large central stores in Wellington, where the inspection, grading and arranging of shipments of meat, &c., can bo properly and efficiently carried on. Many a shipment of butter has already been preudicedby the unevenness produced by the wrong handling of the cargoes on the coast. Again and again shipments of butter have arrived in Wellington in a soft state, a result entirely owing to the fact that the steamers which brought the shipments had no cool storage. Then there has occasionally been some difficulty experienced in providing sufficient space for accumulations of butter and cheese, and this again has been bad for onr farmers.

If, however, all these things have happened to the prejudice of the dairy produce trade, what shall be said regarding frozen meat P At the present time the ocean tramps come here, discharge cargo, and | proceed to pick up their freight for the Home markets by steaming from place to place along our coasts. What does this mean ? That many different consignments are shot higgledy - piggledy into their

holds; no grading takes place, no standard is requisite, and it often happens that when these ill-conditioned cargoes arrive in London they are "sorted out” on the wharves in a temperature which causes rapid deterioration of the meat. And worse still ; when steamers have to pick up their freights haphazard it sometimes occurs that they find themselves short of cargo. The shipping- companies then become purchasers on their own account, and it may happen—as it did in Auckland on a recent occasion that a very inferior kind of meat is picked up a bargain, and the whole cargo, of whatever quality, is classed with the lower-grade carcases. As was previously mentioned in this place, these things have actually happened in London, and it is no wonder that letters have been received in this colony telling the shipper and producer both that the trade is being ruined by such methods. Combination, as has been pointed out, would soon put a stop to these happenings, and then by means of marking, grading and orderly shipping, a high standard of excellence could be attained and maintained. To perfect such a system, however, it is necessary, first of all, that the "tramping” should bo put a stop to and ship-

ping companies compelled to desist from the prejudicial practice of purchasing frozen meat with which to fill up their -boats. To this end, then, central stores must be erected in Wellington. To these stores the meat could be conveyed by coastal boats. There it could be inspected, graded and properly prepared for shipment— a thing quite impossible under existing arrangements. We shall be told, perhaps, that the additional expense would cause producers and shippers to look askance at this proposal. Not so ; for with superior arrangements made, such as are here sketched, the prices obtainable in London would be increased by from id to 2d per pound in advance of present rates. It is sheer madness to continue the present reckless method of shipment, for if persisted in it must involve both producers and shippers in one common ruin. The fact cannot be disguised that, while our meat trade is in a parlous state in the Old Country, we in this colony are —not of set purpose, of course, but none the less surely—doing everything we can to utterly destroy it.

JAPAN AS A MARKET FOR NEW ZEALAND MUTTON.

Twenty-five years beforo the war with China the Japanese abolished their feudal system, undoing in a few years what Englaud took four centuries to accomplish. They rapidly fell into Western ways, even to wearing silk hats and buying war steamers, using the latter to some purpose in th< ir struggle with the Chinese. These little people with big souls are now turning their attention to the ruts of peace —not as ivory-carvers and makers of nick-nacks, for in that they'have long beaten the rest of the world.' They have purchased and are running magnificent steamers to the Australian colonies and elsewhere, and in the work of shipbuilding have made tremendous strides. They have for years past sent the sons of their leading men —where they developed any special talent—to England and elsewhere to the famous seats of learning and industrial arts. Acting on the knowledge thus acquired, they are running millions of spindles in the woollen and cotton trades.

Their insular position developed a strong individuality, as it had done in Britain ; otherwise they would have been swamped by China, as England would have been by the Continent. Their beautiful country and their isolation developed patriotism in a high degree. One thing annoys them, however. They are physically diminutive, sft high or so, and they feel small accordingly ; they are quickly learning that a rice diet and twopence for a 12 hours’ day are not conducive to success in manufactures. Wages are already rising, and the necessity for meat as an article of food is becoming apparent to them. The keen perception of these progressive people has convinced them that the meat-eating countries are the ruling races of the world, and they mean to follow suit in this direction. They mean to be bigger in b©dy, and the Emperor has had a scientific report made on the subject, the result of which has been to strengthen the opinion that a meat diet, in place of the rice of their ancestors, will in course of time add inches to their stature. Therefore the consumption of meat in Japan, with its forty millions of people, is likely to become an important factor in their trade with Australasia; for, as we have previously pointed out, owing

to our position there is no other countryin the world which can supply them with beef and inutton as cheap and as good as can be done by New Zealand and Australia.

As beef and mutton eaters, the Japanese may become still more formidable competitors with Lancashire than now, but as we are not talking cotton, but meat, that does not affect us. If Japan should become a meat-consuming nation, and all the facts point in that direction —the more especially when we consider how plainly the difference between the meat-eating Westerner and the rice and fish-eating Jap has been demonstraced in their foundries and ship - building yards— Australasia will provide her only sources of supply. Her meat consumption may not for a time be very large, but once adopted it will not be long ere it will become a national fashion and need. When Englishmen, who are far more Conservative and obstinate than the Japanese, took nearly six million frozen sheep in 1896, when a little over a dozen years ago frozen mutton was entirely unknown, it need not surprise us to find a great Japanese demand for bur meat in a comparatively short space of time. In view of these possibilites—possibilities which we have from time to time endeavoured to tring into prominence in the interests of our producers —it is to be hoped that the bitter experience of the policy of " drift ” will not be repeated in the Japanese meat trade. System and organisation are needed, so that from the outset a trade which may largely develop may be conducted on right lines. This can only be secured by combination. The frozen meat trade has suffered too much already from the haphazard, happy-go-lucky and cutthroat competition in vogue, which is bringing, if indeed it has not already brought, the meat trade to the verge of ruin.

Four boxes of bullion, valued at <£3279, and shipped by the National Bank of New Zealand, passed through Wellington on the Takapuna last night. The bullion is to be sent to London by the Rimutaka, which leaves Lyttelton to-morrow.

A woman who came before the Benevolent Trustees on Tuesday was asked her age. At first she refused to reply, but after persuasion admitted that she was 40, “ Don’t be afraid, we are all married men here,” said the chairman, and the lady thereupon admitted that she was quite 50, probably more.

Judge Gill, who visited Rotorua the other, day, besides paying a considerable sum of money to natives in respect of various blocks in the neighbourhood, purchased on behalf of the Government a large area of land near Te Puke, which was awarded to the Ngatimoko by the Native Appellate Court recently sitting there. An inquest was held on Tuesday on the body of James Connor, an inmate of the Mount View Asylum, who was admitted to that institution from the Ohiro Benevolent Home in June last year. The evidence showed that death, which ocourrcd on Saturday, was the result of chronic brain disease, and a vordiot was returned accordingly.

The police are continuing their investigations with regard to the supposed poisoning case in the Wellington district, and it is understood that during the past few days the poison-books of the chemists doing business in this city have been examined, the search embracing a period of about ten years. It is believed by the police authorities, however, that sufficient evidence will not be obtained to establish proof that any crime has bean committed.

Mr F. Bradey has written to the socretary of the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association repeating his opinion that the old-time type of Romney sheep is now almost extinct in this colony, this change being'caused by crossing with Lincoln and Leicester sheep, and then breeding from the best selection of that cross. He suggests three questions for discussion at the Agricultural Conference, the principal being that a new class be instituted, to be known as the “ Irqproyed Romneys.”

News by Tuesday evening’s mail (from the Waihora at Auckland ex Takapuna) shows that there is a brisk demand at Newcastle just now for seamen, and the shipping office is being kept busily employed ” signing on ” whole or part crews for captains. Several Consuls are of course also shipping masters, and their staffs have likewise had a good deal of work lately filling up ship’s articles. The present standard rate of wages for A.B.’s of foreign-going vessels is £3 10s per month, with an advance of a similar amount.

A letter was received by the Huft County Council on Tuesday from Mr I'. You-.g, vlm, wri i ig on behalf of Mrs Cold, .tin <rjuwood and Messrs Greenwood, Payne and Hunt, asked for compensation for the accident which occurred on the Hutt road on Thursday, 29th April, and alleged blame to the Council’s employees. The engineer reported that the heap of metal alleged to have caused the accident was at the time lying on a wide part of the road, occasionally used as a metal paddock. The Council resolved to repudiate any liability. The New Zealand Times is to be congratulated on its improved appearance under the new management. Always conspicuous for journalistic enterprise, the new management with the aid of plenty of capital may be expected to make the paper in reality the premier paper of the colony. One of the most welcome of exchanges, particularly to country papers, its increased advantages will make it still more welcomo. In Mr Bannister, who for 20 years has been the business manager of the Wellington Evening Post, the Times has secured a business manager of exceptional ability, who will, we feel sure, make that department of the paper all it ought to be. We heartily congratulate our contemporary on its improved prospects. Even to this distance its influence extends, and no outside paper is so eagerly sought after as our Wellington morning oontemporftrj.—Egmont Settler.

At a meeting of the Petone committee of Mr Charles Wilson, M.E.R., on Monday night, it was decided to hold a “ social ” in honour of Mr and Mrs Wilson early in June. The Dannevirke Fire Brigade has imported 2000 feet of hose, 22 helmets and 22 axes from England. The hydrants, &c., have been made in the colony, and the hose reels are to be made locally. The May number of the Mutual Life Chronicle is to hand. Among other things it contains a number ot congratulatory notices on the progress of the Mutual Life Association of Australasia.

There are a number of cases of typhoid fever in the Napier Hospital, though it has not yet been found necessary to open the fever wards. There are three cases from each of two families.

The Government grant of .£l5O for the Akatarawa-Waikanaeroad has been expended in clearing the track, widening parts slipped away, and in widening the track round the cliff at the end of the dray-road. To provide relief for sufferers by the late awful floods, the women of Obingaiti have organised an entertainment for an early date in Stokes’ Hall, to consist of a farce, “ Diamond Cut Diamond,” and a ball. In regard to the proposal to erect a museum and library at Rotorua, the local Town Board baa resolved that the Government be asked to place <£soo on the Estimates for the purpose, to be supplemented by money raised locally. The Upper Wangaehu Road Board decided at their last meeting, ” That the Government be requested to contribute pound for pound, up to <£3oo, for the erection of temporally bridges and opening up of roads.” We learn that it is estimated by the Railway Department that it will cost about <£sooo to effect the necessary alterations to the Woodville Railway Station in connection with the establishment of through traffic to 1 Napier from Wellington. I Mr R. B. Williams asked the Hutt County J Council on Tuesday, on behalf of Mr J. W. 3 Hope, for compensation for the latter for the 1 lamentable accident in the Hutt river, by : which his wife and daughter lost their lives. • It was decided that the Council could not j acknowledge any liability.

The contract for the formation and metalling of part of Gollan’s Valley road has been let to Mr John McWilliams for the sum of .£425. Three small bridges are to be built on this road, to replace three washed away during the recent storm —one of them at Lowry Bay, one at Day’s Bay and one at Brown’s Bay—but this work will be outßide the contract let to Mr McWilliams.

The existing regulation under the building by-laws, requiring applicants for permits to deposit plans permanently with the City Surveyor, is objected to by Councillor Higginbottom, who has given notice of a motion providing that when the City Surveyor stamps and signs the plans, he shall return them to the applicants, who shall at all times be prepared to produce them when called upon to do so. Messrs Thos. Cook and Son have just published their quarterly “ Sailing List,” giving fares and sailing dates up to the end of Augast of every line of steamers to Europe. Passengers contemplating a trip to England by the P. and 0., Orient, French, German, Direct, American, Cape, or any steamship line, can make complete arrangements and secure good accommodation on application at the local branch of this well-known shipping firm.

Testerday was the anniversary of the loss of H.M.’s steam frigate Tiger, which was wrecked during the Crimean War of 1854. The ship ran ashore in a dense fog and the Russians opened fire on her from the cliffs above, mortally wounding the commander, Captain 'iiffard, who died shortly after landing him at Odessa. Mr A. E. Rowden, manager of the Honourable W. B. Rhodes’ estate, was a midshipman on the vessel, and he is now the sole survivor here.

have beenshovn a beautifully-bound “ Art Album of New Zealand Flora,” by Mr and Mrs E. H. Featon. The work was done by Messrs Wbitcombe and Tombs, the binding is letterpress and beautifully gilt, and the whole get up of the book is well worthy of the firm’s reputation. The work has been inscribed by Mr W. R. Bock, and is to bo sent Home in a fine casket of New Zealand woods, presented by Mr J. Townley, the Mayor of Gisborne.

The usual weekly meeting of the Women’s Social and Political League was held last Tuesday, MrsT. K. Macdonald, deputy-presi-dent, in the chair. Several members were elected and nominations were received. Th first of the course of classes of instruction was held, and it proved a great success. A hearty vote of thanks was given to the instructor. The League has decided to hold its meetings in future in room No. 5, Exchange Buildings, the old room being too small in view of the increased membership. The Hospital Trustees met on Tuesday. Mr Fraser preside, and the Rev H. Van Staveren, and Messrs Harris, Willeston, Brown and Allen were also present. The credit balance at the bank was reported as .£371 19s 7d. The receipts for the fortnight amounted to £l6l 13s 7d, and the disbursements to £272 4s 7d. Nurses Leslio and Sampson were allowed extra leave of absence without pay The question of providing that the courtyard and grounds be kept in order was roferrod to the House Committee.

A meeting of the Benevolent Tiu.ffees was held on Tuesday. Present —Messrs Bradey, C. T. Browne, William Booth, T. McKenzie, R. Mothos, and Rev H. Van Staveren (in the chair)- The chairman reported that he had fpllowed up the surprise visit to the Home by another next day, when he thought they would not be looking for him, and had found everything in: perfect order. An old couple were granted an extra 5s a week for their support. One woman, who had been given 10s to help her oyer a temporary difficulty, returned the money with thanks. It was with some diffidence that His Honor the Chief Justice granted a decree nisi in an undefended divorce case on Tuesday morning, in which no positive proof was available that the respondent and co-respondent, who did not appear, had been served with an affidavit compelling their attendance. There was the sworn testimony of the bailiff at Auckland that a summons had been served on a person who called herself Mrs Greenfield and upon a man who called himself Baker, but this, in his opinion, was not positive proof that the parties in the suit Greenfield versus Greenfield had been properly served with affidavits. He wished it to be distinctly understood that in granting the petitioner’s prayer in this instance he was not establishing a precedent; on the contrary, he was not sure that he would not insist on proof of identification in similar case 3 coming before him in the future.

Mr Wilson, Government Engineer, is to make a report upon the most favourable site for a bridge over the Manawatu river near Foxton.

It has been stated that a deputation of indignant members of friendly societies who resent the imputations made by Messrs Orr and Haslam in reference to the conduct of certain lodge officials is to wait on the Hon Mr Hall-Jones, but the Minister has received no intimation of such an intention.

The now traffic by-laws proposed for the Hutt County contain several clauses relating to bicyclists. It is provided that every bicycle shall carry a light at night, and also that a bicyclist riding towards a vehicle coming in the opposite direction shall, when within reasonable distance, give warning by bell or whistle of his approach. Coasting, furious riding, or racing on public thoroughfares is forbidden. It is further proposed that overy bicycle shall be numbered on both sides, and have an efficient brake. The bylaws are to be considered at the next meeting of the Council.

At the usual monthly meeting of the Mitchelltown School Committee, Mr C. R. James in the chair, it was decided, in respect to the reply furnished by the Inspector to the Education Board referring to the New Zealand Reader, that it is in no way satisfactory, and that the Board be requested to obtain a definite answer in reference to the same. It was decided that the teacher be furnished with a thousand blank forms to enable him to furnish quarterly reports to parents as to the pupils’ progress or otherwise. The following visiting committee was appointed for the month: —Messrs Dowman, Orr and Warner.

When the Chairman of the Hutt County Council proposed on Tuesday that notice be given of the levying of rates of the same amount as was imposed last year, Councillor Speedy moved that in the Belmont riding the general rate should be in the <£l and the separate rate in the <£L. He explained that the district was <£4oo to the bad, and he saw no other prospect of making up the lost ground and at the same time paying for necessary works. The chairman promised that when urgent works were required the Council would consider the question of providing a vote out of general account, and Mr Speedy withdrew the amendment.

In the Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, Mr H. Eyre Kenny, S.M., delivered judgment in a civil case heard last week, in which Albert Adams, storekeeper, sued Morgan Carkeok for .£l9 9s sd, value of goods supplied. In giving his evidence last week the plaintiff stated that he was supplying goods to one Carpenter, son-in-law of the defendant. Owing to non-payments he stopped delivering goods, whereupon the defendant said that lie would pay for goods received by his son-in-law. On this understanding the plaintiff continued to supply goods. The defendant, however, had not kept his promise, hence the action. Mr Kenny, in giving judgment, said that the Court was entitled to go fully into such a case as this, and consider the intention of the parties. Recent Court decisions went to show that what was said was net to be relied upon so much as what was meant. He had come to the conclusion that Carkeeh must be held responsible for the payment the goods. Judgment was entorod up for the plaintiff for the full amount claimed, with <£2 6s costs.

In pursuance of the Horowhenua Block Act, 1896, providing that an action should be commenced in the Supreme Court to appoint Major Kemp a trustee of the block and so test the validity of the dealings of the latter with Sir Walter Bullor in respect to the same within six months of the passing of the Act, an action was brought before the Chief Justice in Banco on Monday morning in which the parties were the Public Trustee and Wirihana Hunia v. Sir Walter Buller and Major Kemp. Mr Stafford appeared for the Public Trustee, Mr Baldwin for Hunia, Mr H. D. Bell for Sir Walter Buller and SH Robert Stout for Major Kemp. Sir Walter Buller filed an affidavit objecting to the joinder of Hunia with the Trustee on the ground that the former was not a public official, and might delay the proceedings at will. An affidavit in reply by Mr Stafford explained that the present action had boon instituted by the Public trustee, pending the decision of the Appellate Court, in order that right of action within the time specified by the Act should not be lost; and contending thr.t the joinder of Hunia had been found advisable, but would not c .use delay. Counsel having addressed the Court at length, His Honor ruled that if the plaintiffs did not servo the statement of claim upon the defendants within a fortnight, the latter miadit file a statement of their defence, and the action be proceeded with ; the point as to the. joinder of Hunia he would not definitely decide for the present. Tn the meantime, h wever, he (Hunia) would remain as a plaintiff in the ease.