SKIMMINGS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1511, 14 February 1901, Page 51

SKIMMINGS

The~ Euroa Butter Factory, in Victoria, has been destroyed by fire. The loss, notwithstanding that the buildings were insured for £4OOO, is estimated at fully £BOOO. * * * *

One of the last places one would expect to find competing for a share in the butter business is Siberia. It is ascertained, however, that the export from that country at present amounts to between 95,000 cwt. and 110,000 cwt. The chief butter producing district is that of Kourgan, and the distances to sea by Novi Port, Revel and Riga are 1870, 2506 and 2082 miles respectively. The official “Gazette” of St. Petersburg notifies a special export premium of 10 per cent, reduction in the general railway tariff, and this, with the employment of refrigerating cars, is rapidly increasing the quantity of butter exported. It is further noted that 200,000 farmers arrive in Siberia annually, the Government providing them with free transport and allowing each farmily the free use of 374 acres for a specified time. It is estimated that a t present Siberia exports annually butter, rvooi, leather, dried and preserved meats to the value of over £3,000,000. * ' * * *

The London market right to the end of the years was, as might be expected, in rather a stagnant condition, owing to the holidays, though the tone of the market was steady. Trade was bad in cheese.