FROZEN MEAT AT HOME

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1714, 4 January 1905, Page 82

FROZEN MEAT AT HOME

The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company in their market report, dated London, 11th November, states that "Although it would he incorrect to report any materia] change in the market, a slight improvement in tone is perceptible and tentative inquiries are more numerous for mutton. Beef continues superabundant, and as previously, the secondary and inferior descriptions predominate. Choice beef and mutton is still comparatively scarce and makes full prices. North American chilled hinds make up to 5Jd for the best quality,* and similar fores sell at 3jd per lb, but the i&anche beef is not so plentiful as it has been. Pores are offered at 2£d to per lb, but there are very few hind quarters available. Argentine chilled beef is in Slentiful supply and making 3£d to 3£d for inds and 2£d to 2fd for fore quarters. Babbits and pork are extremely plentiful and in the provinces large quantities of half-fat Home-grown stock are being offered. MUTTON. New Zealand. The Rangatira has arrived with 31,439 carcases. There is a distinctly better tone in this market and the inquiries for future deliveries indicate that no further decline in values is looked for at present. North Island sheep have improved to- 3|d for heavy carcases, 4d for medium weights and 4rjd for light weights of good quality. Other descriptions have not altered in value. Canterbury sheep of medium weight can be bought at 4£d and only a few light weights make 4gd per lb. Dunedin and Southland sheep are worth 4-Jd to 4]d, but do not meet with much inquiry. There has been a slight improvement in the output and the light, shipments obviate any necessity for pressing sales. Biver Plate. The arrivals consist of Pifeshire, 14,201 carcases; Southern Cross, 24,936 carcases; and Zuleika, 30,476 carcases. Stocks are reported to be heavy, and sales are being freely made at the current quotations of 3§d to 3fd. Up to the present, prices have not moved in sympathy with New Zealands, but there appears no reason why they should not do Stf,

Australian. There have been no arrivals during the week. Trade continues very quiet and slow at 3|d, with an occasional 3£d per lb, and prices are subordinate to Plate quotations. LAMBS. New Zealand. The Bangatira brought 6638 carcases. These lambs are now getting extremely scaroe, and buyers who must have them are paying full prices. Canterbury lambs especially are very short, and are firm in value at 5-|d per lb, a few carcases making s£d. Other descriptions of lamb rule from sfd to s|d per lb for light and medium weights, but heavy carcases are neglected and sell at a discount. Australian. There has been no addition to stocks, but previous arrivals are now being marketed. Many carcases are of very good average quality and command 5d to per lb, but heavy sheepy lambs are also in evidence and prove difficult to sell at 4£d per lb. Biver Plate. The Southern Gross brought 593 carcases. Platp lambs are being offered in limited quantities at Smithfield and are making about 5d per lb. FROZEN BEEP. Arrivals comprise 632 quarters from New Zealand and 40,558 quarters from River Plate. Supplies are still much in excess ot the demand and the market is very depressed. N"ew Zealand cannot be quoted higher than 2£d per lb for hinds and 2-£d to 2fd for fores, but little trade is passing. Plate beef is pushed at 2£d to 2fd for hinds and 2d to 2}d for fores, but the output hardly keeps pace with the heavy shipments. Australian beef can be bought ot and 2d for hinds and fores respectively, but is neglected. MARKET QUOTATIONS. Nov. 11 Nov. 11 1904. 1903. Per lb. Per lb.

New Zealand (Ganter44 3i bury) 4*4 4 New Zealand (Dunedin 3f 34 and Southland) 4^ 4i New Zealand (North 35 34 Island) ... 3£ H Australian ,,, ... Si n 24 35 Diver Plate ... 3* af 3 35 New Zealand Lamb ... Australian Lamb (Viet. 5$ 54 44 44 and N.S-.W.) . 5 hi None. Australian Lamb (Adelaide) .. ... 5 hi None. New Zealand Heef (Hinds) ... ... ... 2i Si 34 New Zealand Heef (Fores) ... A us rail an Heef <>! — 4. 2 i 24 25 (Hinds) ... * *-* £ None. Axis oral i an Heef (Fores) ... 2 None. River Plate Heef (Hinds) ... River Plato Beef 24 25 3 3i (Fores) 2 2* 24