THE DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 19.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2558, 19 April 1870, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, APRIL 19.

There are few matters of more interest in this province just now, to those connected with pastoral and agricultural pursuits, than boiling-down and meatpreserving. The former as a temporaryexpedient, and the latter as a permanent industry, offer prospects of the most encouraging- character. The great staple industries to which we have alluded are both in a languishing condition, not from want of producing power, but because our producing power is too large for our means of consumption, and there is no export. Wool alone will not pay the sheep-farmer. Even a considerable improvement in the value of wool would not extricate him from his difficulties unless he could get some outlet for his surplus stock. He must go on breeding if he would keep up the character of his flock; and when his run is stocked, he must dispose of as many culls and wethers as he gets lambs, at some price or other. Two or three shillings each might serve him; and probably with a ready sale at five or sir shillings, a good run, economically managed, might be made to pay. Immense sums in the shape of capital have been lost by the decline in the price of sheep, but as a matter of mere revenue—apart from liabilities and heavy interest for money —we believe these figures would really leave a margin. The standard price of fat wethers in Victoria has for some time past been eight shillings—something less, no doubt, in large mobs. At this price it seems to pay the meat-pre-serving Companies. A large factory has recently started at Ballarat, and the English market is now likely to be regularly supplied with tinned meats. Pending the establishment of preserving factories in this province, boiling-down seems to be a good temporary outlet for surplus stock. The description given by our correspondent of the New Zealand Meat Preserving Company's boil-ing-down works at Kakanui, will be read with interest by many who are interested in these matters.

There the farmers also are reduced by the present prices of grain to a bare living at the best. They have to submit to heavy losses by flood and wind at the same time, and also to content?, with the high rate of wages. A.ll this will adjust itself in time, but for the present many agriculturists are reduced

to the verge of bankruptcy. The reduction in the value of cattle is also serious, not so much perhaps on account of the reduction itself, as on account of the impossibility of selling at all. If a standard price both for sheep and cattle can be established, and a pretty certain market ensured, farmers will then purchase stores at such a price as will leave them the grazier's profit for fattening them. At present, they do not know what to do. It is to meat-preserving that we must look for relief, and that is the problem which must be solved before much further progress can be made by either of these great producingclasses. There seems at present little prospect of a large export trade in grain ; and while a protective duty in Victoria shuts that market in great great measure to us, the absence of all duty here opens our ports to the immense surplus of California—at least so far as wheat is concerned. Moreover, it is becoming apparent that much of our land will not grow two crops of wheat in succession, and we are thus thrown back on oats, barley, and perhaps a small quantity of rye. The former are now lower, we believe, than they have ever been throughout the colony, and the two latter are at present in limited consumption; though it is probable that we shall eventually grow barley to a large extent for Australian markets. There comes a time, however, when the farmer must lay down his land in grass, or else let it lie fallow, and every year is adding largely to our grass pasture. But what is to be done with these pastures if we can find no outlet for fat stock 1 It is not to be supposed that boiliug-down alone will pay for fattening on English grasses; but if even the best parts of the meat can be preserved effectually, and brought into the Eno-lish market at sixpence per pound, or less, there will doubtless be a practically unlimited market for it.

On these accounts, it is reassuring to find capital and enterprise devoted to an object of so much importance. There is no industry, perhaps, which promises more satisfactory returns, directly and indirectly, than that of meat-preserving. No fear of over-production can attach to it, nor are prices likely to fluctuate. Peculiar advantages attend it in this colony. The climate is admirably adapted to it; the price of the ' raw material' is lower; the tariff is much less oppressive. It was recently pointed out in the Victorian Assembly that every article used in the process of-meat-preserving is subjected to a heavy import duty. Salfc is taxed at the rate of 130 per cent—that is, its cost, with freight and charges, is more than doubled by the duty'; coal is taxed at the rate of 5 per cent; machinery, ironwork, tin-plates, and even the varnish used to cover the tins, are taxed at the rate of 10 per cent. Our own tariff is bad enough, but it is not quite so suicidal as this. As it exempts from duty all material which may be specially imported for the construction of gas-works, water-works, and railways, the list of exemptions might be extended in favour of all material specially imported for the construction of meatpreserving establishments.

Some doubt appears to exist with reference to the relative merits of the two processes most in use at present— tinning and packing in fat. We cannot do better than quote the words of an Australian contemporary on this subject:— < When we call to mind the many favourable reports which have been published as to the efficiency of various methods, and the fact that two Melbourne companies tin large quantities of meat for the English market, we cannot but be confounded by the statement which reaches us from the great English consignee of Australian meat, Mr Tallerman, that "tinned meats always sell, but never pay" This gentleman says that we have not amongst us manipulators of sufficient experience and skill to enable us to conduct tinning operations successfully; and that, in consequence, large quantities of tinned meat are daily arriving in England in a perfectly worthless condition. He does not deny that, when properly carried on. the tinning process is an efficacious means of pi'eserving meats for long periods ; but if his statement is true, that a large portion of our tinned meat arrives in an unsaleable condition in England, it is only too obvious that the Melbourne companies have been deluding themselves and the Australian public into a belief in the efficiency of their operations. At any rate, it is best to be cautious ma matter of such grave importance. It would be well also for intending meat preservers to bear in mind, that it is with, meat cured and packed in fat that Mr Talleeman secures a continued demand for Australian beef and mutton. This being the case, it is not a little surprising that companies should have been induced to forsake that method of preparing meat for the uncertain process of tinning. Tinned meats realise but from six to seven pence per pound in England ; and the expense of preparation, including the purchase or manufacture of tins, must be considerable—while the preparation of meat in fat is a remarkably cheap process, and there is every prospect, Mr Tallermait says, of meat thus prepared ultimately realising as high a price as the best tinned samples. At present, it fetches from fourpence halfpenny per pound retail, and there is none of the risk attached to its prej)aration which so seriously, according to Mr Tallerman, militates against the ginning process in these colonies.'

Yesterday, Messrs James Allen, T. Finnic, J. Pryde, and J. Brash, waited upon His Honour tho Superintendent, and represented the advisability of the sea coast line of road from Green Island to the mouth of the Taieri being taken under the control of the Government, and proclaimed a main district road. The deputation stated that -within a period of four years a sum of LISOO, which included the Government subsidy, had been spent on the road; that the largely-increased traffic had very mack damaged the road; and that as the District Koad Board could not impose tolls, it was impossible to keep

it in proper repair. The deputation also intimated that six or seven flax-mills were in course of erection, and that in the supply of coal and other materials the traffic would be still further increased. A memorial to the Superintendent and Provincial Council setting forth the facts of the case was being prepared. His Honour stated that he would bring the matter before the Executive, and that he considered the road should be made a main district road.

Mr Cuttonaddressed a numerous and influential meeting of the electors of Caversham at the Drill Shed, Green Island, last evening. At the close of the "meeting a unanimous vote of confidence in Mr Cutten was carried. A roport of the proceedings will appear in our next issue.

"One who is puzzled" writes to us as follows:—"Sir, oan you explain the lucid notice published by the Chief Postmaster in your issue of to-day ? He says that 'no mails for the United Kingdom will be sent by this steamer (the Tararua), as she cannot bo expected to reach Melbourne in time for the P. and 0. Company's steamer.' And yet, two or three lines above, ho states that mails will be made up 'for India, China, Ceylon, Singapore, &c, at 12 noon.' Now, what I want to know is, how can letters for the last named places be sent in time if letters for the United Kingdom cannot seeing that the same steamer takes them all from Melbourne? Or do letters to India, &c, lie in Melbourne till the next mail? This is what puzzles not only myself but others who have correspondents in India." ;

The concert given by the Dunedin St. Patrick's Society in St. George's Hall last evening was in every way a success. The hall was filled to overflowing, and the audience by their frequent applause testified to their appreciation of the efforts of the various performers. The songs of Miss Brook and Miss Devane, as well as those of Messrs Mitchell, Lyons, Farra, and Fleming, were particularly well sung, and were warmly applauded. Mr Bracken's recitations of the Raveu and Shamus O'Brien, and Mr Han. nagan, jun.'s, dancing of the Irish jig, also elicited the marked approval of the audience After the concert, a ball took place, and dancing was kept up with spirit until an early hour, about 200 couples being present.

A country correspondent writes to us as follows:—"With reference to the proposal to cut a storm-channel near the West Taieri Bridge, for carrying away the superfluous waters of the Taieri River when in flood, an experienced engineer expresses it as his opinion that such would be a useless expenditure of money, and at the same time would be unsatisfactory to the farmers whose lands are subject to inundation. He considers that a strong embankment, composed of stone and earth, where the waters diverge from their proper channel, at a short distance from the Hotel, would be the most effectual mode of resisting the force of the current after passing the B-idge. A Government Reserve in close proximity would supply ample material for the purpose, and on a level to the place to be filled up. The bridge itself is far from being the substantial structure people would have anticipated from the expense incurred in its construction. It vibratos to an alarming extent when a laden dray or waggon passes over it, and evidences signs of weakness in the centre support. It was a mistake to have it built of wood, as an iron one with sufficient arches to carry away the water in the greatest flood could have been constructed at half the expense, and would have lasted a century. The approach on the East Taieri side is still in an unsatisfactory condition, laden waggons having the greatest difficulty in ascending the steep ascent at its entrance."

Mr H. F. Hardy writes :-—" Sir—A paragraph appeared in the last mail's Home News, and is being copied into several of the New Zealand papers. In reference to this ' useful invention,' which proposes to be an ingenious contrivance to save time when divisions take place in political assemblies, allow me to state that when the present Provincial. Buildings were in course of erection, a gentleman of this town proposed to conBtruct a machine for the Council Chamber almost identical with the one described in the paragraph. He explained it to your co-respondent at the time, as well as to several gentlemen in Dunedin, and particularly to the present Speaker of the Council. Indeed, one of the M.P.C.s whom he consulted thought it would be an excellent contrivance for correctness, and for saving time at divisions, but feared that a special Ordinance would have to be obtained before it could be introduced. His reasons, if I remember rightly, were something to the effect, that as the present Ordinance provides that at divisions the "ayes" must go to the right and the " noes" to the left, my friend's machine could on'y be employed by each member voting in his place. I mention these facts so that the gentlemen referred to may recal to their memory the circumstances ; and, on the principle 'honour whom honour is due,' 1 think these facts should be known. 1 may simply add, that as the contrivance will likely be adopted very generally by-and-bye in the home country, we, here at the antipodes, might have had it in operation more than two years ago."

Wild ducks are said to have become a perfect pest in the St. Bathaus district, where they have committed great ravages among the crops.

The following items of agricultural and pastoral news are furnished by the Bruce Standard:—As thrashing is progressing throughout the plain, it is found that the turn out is certainly not more than what was expected, and we believe 20 bushels is not a very uncommon yield. There are, how. ever, exceptions to this state of matters. On the farm of Mr J. R. Moore, Waihola. the barley turned out between 60 and 70 bushels, and his oats from 40 to 50 bushels an acre. We should like to hear of many others having a similar yield, but fear the average throughout the plain will not exceed of oats about 30 bushels, and barley about 40 bushels.—The Kaitangata farmers are very busily engaged thrashing out their grain, which, however, is only found to be satisfactory here and there.— Some very excellent crops of barley have been grown in the Clutha this season, but the greater portion has severely suffered from the wet weather.—As an instance of the recent depreciation in the value of stock, a respectable settler of Inch Olutha iaforms us that pure Leicester rams, which a few months since were readily saleable at two guineas a head, will now only realise nine shillings.—Very great inconvenience has been experienced in the Warepa and the surrounding districts through the want of an engine and thrashing machine this season. Eo one has as yet visited the

district, and the settlers have been long waiting to get their produce thrashed out. As usual, very likely three or four will shortly arrive in the district all at once, after they have finished elsewhere. Were one to go in proper season, it would find constant work for some time, and the result would be more profitable to the owner, and also more satisfactory to tho settlers. Many of the crops in the district have suffered a severe shake, and the turn out in many cases will be a very unsatisfactory one. The potatoes are au abundant crop, and of very good quality, but the turnip crop is very defective generally.

Some particulars regarding the quartz reef at the LyeH River— referred to in our Nelson correspondent's telegram—are furnished by the Nelson Examiner of the 13th inst. Oar contemporary says :—We were shown yesterday, by Father Chereyre, who Has lately returned overland from the Buller, several specimens of auriferous stone obtained by him at the Lyel1. It; is unlike any gold-bearing stone we have se6n, resembling serpentine, with veins of quartz running through it. A lease of sixteen acres of ground and twelve heads of water have been secured by Zala and party, consisting of four Swedes and the same number of Italians. The reef is situate above Irishman's Creek, at a considerable height on the side of the mountain, and the lessees have followed the leaders, seven in number, in a. drive of upwards of 300 feet, and these are now found to be increasing in thickness and converging to a point, so the lessees are in hopes of soon reaching the main reef The stone we have, seen is thickly impregnated with very bright gold, resembling that obtained by alluvial washing in the Lyell, and the famous nuggets procured in the same district. The labour of the party has been very great, for although the mouth of the Lyell can be reached from Weatport by the river, the intervening country between that and the reef is exceedingly rough. A road, however, can be made which will allow of the transport of machinery.

A late Wellington paper says:—We are indebted to Mr H. Bunny for the following interesting statistics of 100 wethers which he lately seat to the Wairarapa Boiling-down Establishment :—Heaviest sheep weighed 971b3 ; lightest ditto, 681bs ; average weight of the 100, 771bs ; amount of tallow, 30531bs For the legs he obtained Is 2d each, and the skins are worth Is 6d. The value of each aheep was—3o|lbs of tallow, at 4d per lb, 10s 2d j legs, 2s 4d ; skins, after deducting expenses of boiling-down, 6d ; total, 13s.

In consequence of the late heavy rains and the consequent rising of the Molyneux, the dredges on that river have been prevented from getting to work as coon as was intended. By last accounts, however, the river was going down, and it was expected that the dredges, which now form a numerous fleet, would shortly be in operation.

Vauxhall Gardens were visited by a good many persons yesterday. Acrobatic performances and tight-rope dancing were given by the members of the Circus Company. A. band was also present, and dancing went on briskly in the rotunda. The swings and merry-go-rounds were in great request among the youngsters, whle of the oldsters, some took part in the game of quoits, and others strolled about the grounds.

The Masonic Hall was again crowded last evening, and the performances were received with marked demonstrations of approval. In fact the building was never before visited by so numerous, and, at the same timo, so unanimous an audience.

The fifth annual meeting of the Dunedin Town Mission will be held in the room under the Congregational Church, Moray Place, this evening, at 6.30.