DEPRECIATION IN VALUE OF HIDES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10444, 21 August 1895, Page 4

DEPRECIATION IN VALUE OF HIDES.

lflfl secretary ot the Dnnedin Chamber of Commerce has received the following letter from the London Chamber of Commerce t — Dear Sir, —The attention of the leather trades section of this chamber, as representing the hide and leather trades, together with the tanners, leather ; manu''acturers, and conBurners, has been drawn to the ursat depreciation in the value of hides caused by the present system , of branding cattle. j This is especially the <„-c as regards colonial ! hides, the brands being considerably larger and j more carelessly made than in South America and i some other. foreign prountries t While the seotion .is fully aware of the diffi- j culties of properly identifying the animate, especially in districts where various owners have rights of grazing, the fact of hides from the River Plate, for instance, not to speak of other countries, being commercially more valuable, owing in a great degree to the better system of branding which prevails, seems to the sijction a strong reason why some other system should be devieeil. A smaller brand, placed on a les* valuable part of the hide, or a distinctive mark made on the horns or hoofs of the an mals, are/amongst the suggestions that appear to be the most advisable \ It is hoped that the effect of bringing the sub- ; ject under the notice of your chamber may result, j so far as your particular district is concerntd, in ! the adaption of measures which may improve the ; value of hides, to the advantage of producer, dis- -, tributor, and consumer alike. % . j I am to express the hope that you may be dispoted to give publicity to thia communication in any form you nuiy deem advisable.—lam, Ac, J . ..', Kenric B. MuaitAY, secretary. I