MR THOMAS MACKENZIE AND SMITFIELD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11197, 20 August 1898, Page 3

MR THOMAS MACKENZIE AND SMITFIELD.

TO 1 U M>ll'OK. • I g, R| —By last; vii.ii a waicbt'ul North Island friend sent me the cutting from the Times (with sulphurous comments) containing my response to the toast of " Our Colonial Friends " at the Smitbfield salesmen's dinner. It was sis follows :—" Mr Thomas Mackenzie referred to Smitbfield as a benefit to the colonies, and asserted the impossibility of colonials being able to instruct the Smithfield men in their own business." Everything will be made clear when we amend the foregoing by striking out the words " Mr Thomas Mackenzie " and insertiog instead "the vice-chairman." That gentleman said that " tome colonists came Home with the idea that they conld instruct the Smithfield men .in their trade." I remarked in my reply " that I was possibly one of those itinerant wanderers alluded to. If so, I might say that I came Home with no idea of instructing the Smitbfield men. As far as I could judge it would take a very smart man indeed to put up a femithfield man to anything he did not know.—(Laughter.) On the contrary, I had come Home to learn how they did things here, and perhaps they would not object to my telling them how I was getting on. Allusion had been made to damaged meat. It was true damage occurred— (loud applause),—but for every damaged sheep that came into this market they claimed for and were paid for three. —(Interruption and cries of ' No.') Yes, that was the case, he knew what he was talking about, and they knew perfectly well what he was saying was absolutely true—-(faint he.ar, hear),—and as long as the insurance companies refused to be»tir themselves to take action to check the abuse it would continue, and insurance rates would steadily increase."—l am, &c, Thomas Mackenzie. 110 Fenchurch street, E.C., London, July 7. P.S.—ln the report appearing the following -morning in the Meat Trades Journal I am reported to have said "that for every three damaged sheep that arrived in Smithfield the salesmen were paid for only one." Of course this mistake was quite unintentional!—T. M.

" —An ingenious little machine for making , gun cartridges for ordinary use in sport, etc., | has been introduced by a Parisian. It is actuated by a motor of one-fourth horsepower, and turns out 1200 cartridges an'hour ; , but it can be worked by a man and pedal ■ with an output of 800 per hour. . , -.-,. I , The term "infantry" soldiers ongi- j nated with the Spanish, and was first ap- -. plied to the military force employed by an, infante, or young prince of Spam, to rescue : his father from the Moors. I The monthly consumption ' of snails 'in j Paris is estimated by the million, and there are 100 restaurants, and at least 3000 private tables, where they are accepted as a delicacy by their epicurean consumers. Mellin's Food for Infants and Invalids. Perfectly adapted for the youngest infant. Keeps good in all climates; free from, animal germs. To be obtained from all druggists and. ■ B —6|n fasting feats the sect of Jains, in India, is far'ahead of all rivals. Easts of 60 to 40 days are common; and once a year ttey are said to abstain from food for 75 days. ~ . —Beauties of to-day are commemorated in fading photographs, terribly touched up, while their great- grandmothers live in miniature and j 'mezzo-tint.—Longman's, ' .