“PRIME CANTERBURY”

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1847, 31 July 1907, Page 15

“ PRIME CANTERBURY”

A VOICE FROM THE NORTH. JUST AS GOOD THERE. AUCKLAND, July 24. During the last year or two Auckland has come into prominence in the export of frozen lamb and beef (remarks the “Herald"), but it has on the London market encountered the old fetish of “prime Canterbury" pretty often, and according to the ideas of some London dealers New Zealand would seem to ba a small province of a great colony named Canterbury." • Mr Stringer, general secretary to the Auckland banners’ Freezing Company, in conversation with a “Herald" representative, said: “We have to fight against the idea that only prime meat comes from Canterbury, and I think I can show you we are now doing it pretty successfully. Here is the market report for May 3rd of the big house of Gordon Woodroffe and Co., of London, with a colonial office in Christchurch. It quotes Smithfield spot prices for prime Canterbury lambs, under 361 b, at 5 5-16 d to 5 7-16 d per lb, 361 b to 421 b at s§d to s|-d, and 421 b to 501 b at to s|d; Wellington lamb, 361 b to 4j2lb, at 5 3-16 d to 5 5-16 d; and fair average North Island lambs (I suppose that means poor old Auckland), under 421 bat 4|d to s’d. Then the well-known firm of Weddell and Co., on May 3rd, with 37,746 carcases from Australia, 248,748 from New Zealand, and 7694 from River Plate, quote prime Canterbury, 281 b to 361 b, at s|d to sgd, 361 b to 421 b at s§d to 51d; prime North Island lambs, 281 b to 361 b at 5d to sgd, 361 b to 421 b at 5d to sld„ 421 b to 501 b at s£d to ssd. "But now look at these account sales of a New Zealand concern —the BritishNew Zealand Meat and Produce Company. Reporting on May 21st, that firm’s account sales show that a line of 697 lambs entrusted to the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company by Mr Alex. Aitkins, of tlie Kereone estate, brought up to top prices quoted for the primes!; of Canterbury lamb, namely, s§d. The same firm’s account sales for a line of 633 lambs from Mr F. Ross, of Bruntwood, shipped by the Kumara, show that they brought s|d per lb for prime quality, again equalling Canterbury top price; and 903 lambs from Mr Alex. Oil*, of Morrinsville, also went to sfd per lb. “This conclusively proves that Auckland can produce, and is producing, lambs equal to the best produced in Canterbury. The net return for these lambs after all charges are paid will be s£d per lb.’’