NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 15

NEW ZEALAND MEAT.

From Messrs W,. Weddel and Co. I hear that airivals of New Zealand mutton have been j moderate for the fortnight, amounting to some | 68,000 carcases. Unfortunately, they go on to say, these -smaller receipts have had no beneficial effect upon the market as the stocks m store in London are very considerable, while the trade remains dull and depressed. Offerings are being freely made all over the market, and forced selling has resulted in a further drop -in prices. The only description of sheep that is at all saleable at the present tinTe is smallweight carcases, but even of this class it wou'd be impossible to make any large sales. Medium and heavy-weight sheep are exceedingly d : jncult to realise, even'at the ruinously low prices now quoted for these grades. Forty-five to jiftysix pound sheep of " Eclipse " brand have today a slow sale at 3| % d, while lTor ordinary sheep of 4he same weight no more than 3j|d per lb can be quoted. Favourite biands of 561b to 611b sheep are selling at 3Jd to 3gd per lb, while carcases weighing 611b to 721b are being -sold down to 3%d per lb. As regards other descriptions of New Zealand mutton, Messrs Weddel characterise the position as " even worse, as -itfis-here that sales are being unduly pressed." •Best weight. Southland and Dunedin sheep are -week at 3|d to 3id. per lb. The well-known "brands of North Island mutton can be qxxoted ( at no mo.re than 3|d per lb for small carcases, '-while ihe heavy weights sell down to 2|d and ~ -3d. per lb. The weakness in ihe market for 4 vNew, Zealand sheep has had a deiaressing effect , on Australian .mutton, but~ at the s^ine time ' prices are now relatively dear as compared with "New Zealand quotations, partly due to small , supplies, and partly in eonsequeruce of present ', stocks consisting almost entirely of smallweight sheep. Arrivals of lambs from New Zealand have also been light, amounting, according to Messrs "Weddel' s report, to 18.000 carcases. The weather lias recently been more favourable to the lamb trade, but -very little improvement, if any, ■ las taken place in the consumption, either in J London or in the provinces. Supplies, Messrs j Weddel state, are considerably in excess of the j demand, and continued forced selling has re- , suited in still lower values, particularly for medium and heavy-weight carcases. Small lambs, however, 'lire scarce, and for the few on offer there 'is a good outlet at relatively full -prices. Best brands of 281b to 361b Canterbury j -lanibs are making utj to 43d to 4Jd per lb. j Between' these and 361b to 441b lambs there is s a wide margin, the latter weight beine; difficult ! to sell at 3|d to, occasionally, 4d. per lb. Prime 40lb to 50lb lambs axe worth no more than 3Jd to 3?d per* lb at Smithfield. .Small weight j Southland and Dunedin lambs make 4Vd to j 4ld, but heavies are selling down to 3|d to 3?d j per lb. "Favourite weight Noith Island lambs may be quoted at 4Jd to 4Jd per lb. though lieavies are more difficult to move at about 3£d per lb. " • In consequence of the more seasonable wea- • ther there has been less demand for beef of all classes. Supplies of American chilled beef are I -well up to the average, and Messr3 ~V7eddel note ' that prices are ljd.per lb lower than a fortnight ago, when supplies were short. "During that period of shortage some buyers gave up using Ameficsn chilled beef and used frozen beef in its place. The quality of the latter gave' such .* general satisfaction that buyers are still continuing to use it, despite the lower rates again current for chilled beef. The result is that values of frozen beef have remained comparatively steady, notwithstanding the drop in quotations for American beef. Arrivals from' New Zealand go readily into consumption at about 3^l per lb for forequarters, and 41d to 4Jd per lb for hindquarters.

In the report of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company it is stated that •the demand for all descriptions of frozen mutton has continued dully and, chiefly owing to •the mild weather and" large * supplies, prices mark a material decline all round. Prime Canterbury mutton has fetched 2s 4d per stone, secondary and Otago and Southland have sold at 2s l 3d, and North Island sheep at 2s 2d per stone. The,- lamb trade, on the other hand," lias improved ' slightly during the past week as ihe iesult .of an increased demand. Prime Canterbury lambs are now quoted at from 2s 8d to 2s lOd per stone, secondary Canterbury Otago and Southland lambs at 2s 7d to 2s 9d, and "those from the North Island at 2s 6d io 2s 8d per stone, ex market. The beef trade is now in a very satisfactory condition, good prices being -realised for the time of year. New Zealand hindquarters are worth from 2s lid to 3s, and forequarters 2s 1A to 2s 2d per stone. Supplies of New Zealand mutton have been more' than sufficient for current requirements, the National Mortgage and Agency Company write, and being in many hands, the tendency has been to press sales, with the result thab prices have declined ?d to M per lb on the month. Canterbury sheep range from 3d to 3Jid for heavy-weights, to 3Jd for light-weights of selected quality. Dunedin and Southland sheep may be quoted at 3d to 3ld per lb, and ihe best'brands of North Island, such, as Longburn, realise the same money, ordinary brands selling at Jd per lb less. For New Zealand lamb ihe demand, especially in London, shov- signs of falling off. Light-weights, under 3Clb, which have been at* a premium 'throughout the .c.°asan, &re still scarce, and, 4|d io 4£d is still

• obtainable for best Canterbury brands- of this j weight. j Considerable arrivals of frozen rabbits con- , tinue to come to hand, both, from New Zealand ; and Australia. The- demand shows some imj provement, the -National Mortgage and Agency ', Company report, but damaged .parcels are still ; offering, ar.d tend to keep prices down. There j are very few New Zealand rabbits being offered j at present, and it is impossible to give a reli- • able quotation.

MrSCBI/LANEOTTS. For New Zealand wheat values are steady, Tuscan being quoted- at 303,60. to 31s 6d,-,ancl Hunter's and pearl at 29s 6d to 303 '6d per' j, 4961b_. Messrs Weddel remark, in reference to English wheat, that the few samples already to hand are not attractive, and that so far "as can be estimated the yield will rim about 25 per cent, under last year; the average price is 28s lOcl per 4801b. There are practically no New Zealand oats in stook, and quotations aie nominally unchanged. Neither is there - any change to report in New Zealand beans, qtiotations for which remain 'the same. I With reference to cocksfoot, the New Zealand j Loan and Mercantile Agency report that during the last fortnight only a modeiate business* has i .been passing, chiefly in low grades, at prices ranging from 27s to 31s 6d per cwt (ex v warehouse). The dernasid on, the spot for the better qualities has been slow, buyers having -already made considerable purchases upon th* basis of about 36s per cwt, c.i.f. Bright 17lb .to 181b seed may be quoted on the spot at 36s to 38s per cwt. Both the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company and Messrs Weddel report, or. the whole, a somewhat quieter feeling in the tallow market during the past two weeks, but the general position is practically unchanged. Although slight concessions have occasionally to be rnadej transactions at this week's sales being mostly [ 3d to an occasional <3d per lb reduction, there j is little probability of' anything in the nature of a slump , and Messrs Wedclel 'consider it more likely that "there will be a better trade latter on. Both firms), spot prices ai e -the if ol- - lowing: — Fair to firesfc mutton," 27s to 2Ss; and fair to fine bsef, 25s 9tl to 26s 9d per cwt. Messrs Weddel remark that business on c.i.f. teims is restricted, colonial ideas of prices being I much above 'those of spot rates, which are : — ! Mutton : Good to finest, 27s 6d to 283 per ewt ; ! dull to fair, 25s 9d to- 26s 6d : inferior, 24s 9cl ■ to 235. Beef: Good to finest, 26s to 27s per 1 cwf dull to fair, 25s '3d to 25s 9d; and inferior, 24s 4O4 O 25s per cwt.

Its their remarks on the tallow market, the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand note that at three public auctions during the month 6153 casks were offered, of which 3291 .were sold. Jlhe market has ruled very steady during the past month, and prices for all descriptions show no alteration. The general feeling is one of confidence as to the future, but there is no undue anxiety on the part of the buyers to operate beyond immediate requirements. At the sales this week the demand was slow, and values hardly so firm. The shipments from New Zealand an.d Australia during July weTe advised as 3032 tons, as compared with 2416 tons for the same month last year. Imports for the past four weeks amounted to 8810 casks from Australia, and '7712 casks from New Zealand. Stocks,\all sorts, in warehouse in London on 31st ult. were 23,010 casks, as against 21,588 casks the previousmonth, 21,575 casks in 1899, and 28,116 c.isks in 1898. From the National Mortgage and Agency Company of New Zealand, I hear that the mar- i ket for New Zealand flax has been very weak during the past month ; the number of parcels ! arrived on offer has considerably increased, and j with more disposition to meet buyers and effect sales, prices have gradually receded, showing i at the a further reduction of £2 per ton. On the spot about 100 tons have been sold at £%1 down to £19 per ton, and for ariival' 150 tons, chiefly October-December, at £19 down to !£lB per ton (c.i.f.), with further buyers at the lower figure. These are the latest quotations for New Zealand flax: — Superior, soft 'and bright, £21 10s to £22 per 'ton ; good medium, well dressed, £20 10s to ,£2l per ton; fair rnediiTm to medium, £19 to £1S 10s ; fair medium' to jtnedium, rather strawy, £18 10s j ~to £1Q per 'ton; tow, £10 to £11 per ton. Prime heavy freezing sheep pelts are in good demand al fully late rates, and some large sales of freezing lambs' have been made during the past month at good prices, the National Mortgage and Agency Company report ; but the demand i 3 somewhat uncertain. Sheep pelts of medium quality and weight sell slowly, and prices still favour buyers. Merino pelts are weaker, in sympathy with South American, Cape, and Australian roans, fellmongered in this country. Generally speaking, the market is in an unsatisfactory condition, the comparative values of pelts and of finished skins not having yet adjusted themselves. These are the quotations for salted New Zealand pelts, the figures being furnished to me by the N.M. and A. Company : Crossbreds — Heavy, firsts, 17s to 27s per dozen ; heavy seconds, 12s to 16s per dozen ; heavy, medium substance, firsts, 15s to 17s per dozen; do seconds, 10s to 13s per dozen. Merinos — Firsts, 8s to 11s per dozen; seconds, 6s to 8s per dozen. New Zealand lambs — Firsts, 12s 'to 16s per dozoa; seconds, 8s to 11s per dozen. From the same firm I hear that the next auctions of rabbitskms will take place on the 313t mst., when it is expected that about 1200 i bales will be offered, chiefly Tasmanian and Victorian early winter skins, foi which a more general trade is anticipated. In the meantime there is little to report in ' this market. Quotations for New Zealand rabbitskins are: -Good to prime winter skins, thin and medium,' Is 4d to Is 4Jd per lb ; do stout pelted, Is 2d "to Is 3d per lb ; fair ordinary to good, 10iS to 1b lid per lb; common and low season, 4d to B|d per lb; small and suckeis, 4Jd to 6^d per dozen; black, silver grey (furriers), Is to 2s 2d per lb; fawn and dove, Is to Is 5d per lb. . The National Mortgage and Agency Company quotes New Zealand cheese at 52s to 54s per cwt. There have been no arrivals from the eclony during the past four weeks. Theio is very little preserved beef and mutton on offer, and prices xemaia unchanged. Pre-

■served rabbits meet with a fair demand at j nominal quotations.

Messrs Flack, Chandler, and Co. tell me that ■ with heavy arrivals of copra into Continental ports of the Manila product, the market is de- ' pressed. With reference to canned meats this same firm states that stocks in London are completely exhausted. There are very laige Government orders in the^ market, and valiies i have gone to a very high figure. Imports for the past fcuv weeks comprise 1466 cases' fr,orr. New Zealand, 16,945 from Australia, and 2325 cases "from the United States. , DAIRY > PRODUCE.- t >-" - Me3srs*Mat-hie and M'William, of 'Glasgow, write to me this morning that "there is a con- , tinned strong demand in all their markets, and that prices have lately advanced. Values have now, however, reached a point at which many buyers fear to go, and business is taking a more hand to mouth character. As stocks in all the cold stoics of the United Kingdom are now very light, it is not thought Jhat prices will show any weakening tendency (for some little time. Supplies of liish creamery butter aie noL now so large, &nd sellers are very firm, in their ideas of value. Canadian creamery is coming to hand much more freely, and the quality of some brands is specially choice.

The lecent small arrivals from New Zealand have commanded very satisfactory prices, Messrs Mathie and M'Williani proceed to say. The season, now practically closed, has been a long one, and has demonstrated two irnporpcrfcant facts: the first that owing to the choiceness of the butter, buyers all round have ackoowledged the very great improvement in quality, especially in the New Zealand product, and their former prejudices have been removed. In the second place, notwithstanding the keen competition from new-made "butter at Home and from the Continent, the colonial butter has arrived in the height of the summer season and found a ready market at satisfactory prices. Stocks of New Zealand cheese, in the Glasgow market, are now almost exhausted, and any parcels of really choice quality are held for higher prices. The current quotations is 56s io' 58s. The C.C. and D. Company say that New Zealand cheese is now very scarce. Tn the absence of dealings quotations must be considered nominal. As for New Zealand and Australian butter, the C.C. and D. Company note that it is practically off the market. Two small shipments arrived at the end d last month, but the quantity was too small to be quotable. . , August 26.

Messrs Weddel's report on the butter season is receiving widespread attention, columns of extracts from it having appeared in many of the, leading papers. Prominence is given to the fact that New Zealand has established another record, "both as to 'the quality of its butter and the quantity sent to this country.

Mr Walter Fentham, who, since his arrival in this country, has visited some of the best stock farms in Great Britain, has, I 'hear, just shipped a bull and a heifer (shorthorns) for Ms father's estate, near Hawera.

Great interest is being evinced, in " cold storage " circles, as to a shipment of dead meat now 'being made from the River Plate to Liverpool. Reticence is '"observed, as to the process, but if successful many fnmk it likely to revolutionise the frozen meat trade, the meat not being refrigerated but sterilised. Messrs Houlder Bros. , on one of whose vessels the meat is being carried, have had a chamber specially fitted up in one of their ships for the trial, and have agreed to charge no freight. The was expected to arrive this- weeli, but up to the time the mail closed she had not put in an appearance.