THE BRANDING OF MEAT. NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2671, 24 May 1905, Page 24

THE BRANDING OF MEAT.

NEW ZEALAND PRODUCE IN LONDON.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 20. An. important invention for marking the carcases of froz-en~ meat has been patented by Mr A. J. Roberts, instructor in electricity at the Kaiapoi Technical Classes. The principle adopted is the burning of the brand on the carcase by means of electricity. The letters comprising the brand consist of platinum wire on a plate of mica. Electricity is conveyed along these wires and the stamp applied to the carcase, with the result that the brand is clearly and cleanly burned in. It is claimed that the brand cannot be obliterated except by cutting off the portion of the- carcase treated, and also that carcases can be branded as quickly as they are passed by the Government inspector. Unlike branding with fluid brands, there is only one operation, that of pushing the brand on the carcase, the electricity being turned on and off automatically. It is claimed that the cost of the electricity used is from Id to 2d per day, and that one brand will do 1000 hours' continuous work. Mr T. Anderson, Government Inspector at the Canterbury Meat Company's Freezing Works at Belfast, has tested this new method of branding, and is satisfied with the results. He had some carcases branded by the process and frozen. They remained in the freezing chamber for three weeks, and when the carcases were taken out and thawed the brands showed no signs of obliteration. He considers that by using this method of branding it will be unnecessary to pub tags on the carcases of mutton, thereby saving much labour. Mr .Roberts intends placing his invention before the Department of Agriculture. i I t j I i

(Fslox Ovra. Owk CorkespohbkhtJ LONDON, April 7. WOOL. I am told by Messrs Charles Balnie and Co. that sinca the close of the March auctions tlieTe has been little alteration in the position of wool values. Consumption of merinos and of the finer qualities of orossbreds is well maintained, and prices are slightly harder than they were during the latter part of last month. On the other hand, the demand for the coarser grades of wool continues somewhat restricted, owing to the depression in the export yarn trade. Nevertheless, quotations in rhe manufacturing centres remain fairly steady, and the opinion is gaining ground that the rates now current are not likely to be materially reduced in the immediate future, while any improvement in the foreign demand for yarns would at once have a favourable effect on business in the. Yorkshire districts. The gross arrivals to dats for the third series, to open on May 3, are-180,707 bales, New Zealand being represented by 76,682, of which about 39,000 bales have been forwarded direct to the Continent, Yorkshire, etc. WOOLLED SHEEPSKINS. The -third scries of public sales of woplled sheepskins of the present year was held yesterday, when 4097 bales were catalogued, including 1818 bales from New Zealand, that coicny heading the list, while -second place was occupied by "West Aiisfcralia with 684 bales. Messrs Balme tell me that there was the usual ai tendance of buyers, while competition was fairly animated. Prices for combing descriptions of merinos and fine crossbreds ruled 2£ per cent, to 6" per cent, dearer; but, on, the oi her hand, full-woolled coarse crossbreds were c eoasionally the -turn cheaper. Other sorts showed no quotable variation from previous rates. As compared with the values current at the sales held on February 23, Messrs Balme quote: Merino, iv.ll to three-quarfcer-woolled, id per 1b dearer; merino, half-Woolled, par; rrerino, short and shorn, par; crossbred, fine, full to +hree-craarter-woolied, id per Ib dearer; crossbred, coarse, full to three-quarter-woolled, part to jet per Jb cheaper; crossbred, iialfwoolled, par; crossbred, ahort and shorn, par; lfcmbs, par. The next sale will bs Tieid onMay 18. The current quotation for merino full-woolled. is 7£d to B|d per lb, against 7d to Sfd at the preceding series. Crossbred, fullwoolled. fine, is now 7|d to 9J6i per lb/ against 7id to 6|d per lb then. NEW ZEALAND MEAT. Messrs Weddel report the arrival of 66,000 carcases of New Zealand mutton during the fortnight. Tho rate of sale has certainly" undergone some improvemenjt latterly. Small ■ Canterbury sheep are almost unobtainable, and carcases under 661b are nominally quoted at 42<S to 5Jd per lb. Quotations for larger Canterbuiy shesp are unchanged, at from 4d to 4Jd per- lb, which prices, too, the best brands of North Island mutton are realising. Arrivals of lamb have been moderate, New Zealand contributing 68,000 carcases- to the imports during the- past fortnight. Although the lamb : trade has not yet got into full swing, the consumptive demand is steadily increasing, and is sufficient to keep paoe with arrivals as they \ become available, the sJew discharge of steamers to some extent assisting to this end. The quality of the great bulk of the importations is satisfactory, bust Messrs Weddel say that the larger weight lambs are most plentiful, and. small carcases consequently maintain tLeir premium in price. Valuos have naturally eased down as larger numbers of lambs became available, but the market is row fairly steady. Canterbury lambs under 3Glb sell at sgd, and the 361b to 421b grade at &Jd per lb. Dunedin and Southland lambs realise s£d to s|d per lb. and North Island brands Sgd to s|d per lb. Australian lambs have latterly been in increased demand, the [ expansion of the lamb trade making these attractive to the smaller buyers-, who find New Zealand lambs too dear at the present prices. Best brands of Australian lamb realise 5d to 5Jd per lb, and other qualities 4i-d to 4gd p-ei lb, while River Plate lambs are selling at 4Jd to 4-Jd per lb. There has recently been some [ improvement in the demand for frozen beef, [ particularly for hindquarters, and, as stocks of baef of prime weights are- very moderate, prices of hindquarters have been advanced, and quotations for forequa-rters are firmer than they were. New Zealand beef is nominally quoted at 2Jd per lb fox forequarteirs, and at 2gd to 3d per lb for hindquarters.

It is stated in the report of the C.C. rend D. Company that New Zealand mutton is very fi.-n, with a slight improvement in the demand. Light Canterbury sheep are difficult to find anywhere, and would make full prices. Medium- weight carcases are worth 4gd, and .occasionally. 4£d per lb A but lieav^-weijjhts as©

' sold at all prices down to 4Jd per lb. Light North Island rnmton is also in very limited sxipply, and commands 4£d per lb, but the average value of medium-weight carcases is about 4£d per lb. Some very fine 10 stone North Island sheep of good quality have been n.aking 3Jd to 3fd per lb. Ewes are not much inquired for, and cannot be quoted higher than 31d per lb. The Star of Australia has arrived with 46,605 carcases, and the Papanui with 1C987 carcases, while the Suffolk, bound for ; west coast ports, had on board 4613 carcases. During the past week stocks of Jamb have been increased by 65,148 carcases from New Zealand, 19,432 from Australia, and 3985 from (he River Plate. Lambs are decidedly weaker, so the C.C. and D. Company state this afterneon, owing to the desire of weak holders to lealiss lecent arrivals more rapidly than the market would permit. Canterbury lambs aire . down fully Jd per lb, with s|d for the top quotation. A few North Island lambs are making up to s£d per lb, but the average realised ia about 5Jd. The demand is about Ihi3«6ame as is usual at this time of the year, and values are about jd per lb higher than i they were at the same time a year ago. AusI tralian lambs ate in few hands, and prices are steady, ranging from 4£d to 5d per lb for I the best. Hindquart&rs of New Zealand beef | me reported to be firm at the quotation of \ 3Jd per lb, although an)y limited business is i pa&sing. One thousand and eighty-eight | qtiarters have arrived from the colony during the past week. April 15. WOOL: According to the latest report of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coin- | pany there has been no fresh ieature of lmpi portance to report regarding the wool market j here. There lias been a fair inquiry privately, ■ and fully late rates have been secured for tbe I quantity sold. At the sheepskin sales, held on tho 6th and 7th inst., an active demand prevailed at an advance upon previous auctions' rates of Jd per lb on combing rcerino and fine crossbred descriptions, medium being par to Jd higher, while coarse gjades were occasionally the turn easier. A steady business is passing in fine wool in the Home manufacturing districts, but in qualities below 44's trade is quiet and prices irregular. In tho North of France increased activity is re-ported, while on the Continent generally a fine tone prevails. * The National Mortgage and Agency Company tells me that since the close of the late series there has been a good deal of private inquiry, .principally for merino wools, and several lots have been placed at better prices than those ruling during the auctions. There has not been much doing in crossbred w-oois, however. In manufacturing districts markets remain much the same as they were three weeks ago. Soon aiter the late sales finished here coarse crossbred wool showed some signs of weakness, but a rather better feeling ha-a latterly supervened, and although the demand has not been active consumption has steadily gone on. What undoubtedly militates against higher prices at present is tho fact that large lines of crossbred wools are in more or less weak hands, users consequently buy as sparingly as possible, arguing not unreasonably tliat their safest policy lies in temporary ii. action. So soon, however, as this dead weight, so to speak, is out of the way, the j National Mortgage and Agency Company ! thinks it quite possible that things will take a turn for the better. On the Continent prices have been steady, and in France especially the coarse grades of crossbred have been in good favour. NEW ZEALAND WEAT. It is Teptwrted by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company that tiiere has been a good demand for light-weight New Zealand sheep, say 481b to 521b, and, with supplies of this description in small compass, sellers have been able to advance prices icT pcx stone. Heavier carcases, ranging from Bst to lOst are a very slow sale, but late rates have been maintained The demand for Australian mutton is still weak, and for some very fat carcases no more than 2|d per lb can be obtained. Canterbury mutton is quoted at 4d to 4Jd, North Island at 3£d to 4Jd. and North Island ewes at 3d to 3gd per lb. New Zealand j best, lambs have been in. good request,, but in i&ee- of the large numbers now arriving values h«ve declined Jd p«r lb. For Australian, which are now in small supply, holders have been able slightly to advance prices, and this has helped to strengthen; the market for secondary New Zealand lamb. That from Canterbury i 3 quoted at s|ct to ojd, with prime North." Island at sid to s£d, and secondary North Island at 4^d to 5d pear lb. This week * temporary «hortage in supplies of River Plato chilled and frozen beef was experienced, I sc holders of colonial beef have- been able- to | advance values for hindquarters and ■forequaTtera, say, about id to Jd per lb respectively, so that* N^w Zealand hinds are now quoted at 3Jd to 3Jd per lb, and fores at 2|d to 2|d per lb. I hear from the National Mortgage and Agency Company that arrivals of New Zealand lamb have consisted of about. 147,200 carcases during the past three weeks. The demand show 3 a steady increase every week, but supplies of New Zealand lamb have been too large to enable holders to maintain the high rates lately current. !

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, reviewing the bufcter market during the £«st three weeks, says that the first weakening observable was apparent in the Manchester Danish market, and this was followed shortly aifccrwaids in best colonial, undergrades ex Maiatua^ the discharge of which was unduly protracted, suffering most severely. This claas o£ butter way soon be expected to resume its normal state of about 20s per cwt under best. At tho time the market closes a shade firmer, but the demand is very restricted. At present not a great quantity of the Papanui's butter is available. Colonial butter is all turning pale, and in many instances a leafy flavour is noticeable. Choicest New Zealand is quoted at 102s to 103s. finest at 100s, and milled and separator at 92s to 97s per cwt. Cheese is well held, though the market is now slow. The quiet trade has the appearance of being only temporary, though the demand which forced prices up recently proves new to have been cbi«fly speculative. Prices remain firm. White still leads coloured by Is per cwt, sellers now in most cases refusing to sell white without coloured. New ZeaJand white is quoted at 57s to 595, and coloured at 58s. JQie JTational Mortgage and, Ageucj Coroc

pany r/rites that although the s.s. Mptatua butter started selling at 108s, with an occasional Is to 2s more, the market turned round so sharply that the boat finished at 102s to 104s. The s.s. Paparmi is now discharging her cargo, and it is expected that her butter will clear at 102s per cwt. Prices for cheiese have advanced, but a.t the higher quotations trade is rather quiet. MISCELLANEOUS. The Xew Zealand Loan and Mercantila Agency Company reports that in New Zealand wheat for amval 30s per 480.^ (c.i.f.) has been paid for a cargo, one-third long-berried May B/ lading. There is a fair inquiry for oats ai late rates. Beans and peas are slow of sale at about steady prices. Cocksfoot has been m good consumptive demand, and a considerable business have been passing at advanced prices. Owing to unfavourable reports of the new crop from the colony, bright seed is in special request, and is held for high prices. Several parcels of 17lb bright average quality of the season have been sold to arrive at 51s to 51s 6d per cwt (c.if.), but it remains to be seen if this level of values can be maintained. 171b bright seed is quoted at 545, 16!b medium at 52s per cwt (ex warehouse). The high prices lately ruling for frozen rabbits and the approach of spring has caused a steady falling off in the demand. Meantime increased arrivals of new season's rabbits have coxae -to hand from Australia, and values have fallen 3s to 4s per case since the last report issued by the National Mortgage and Agency Company. Heavy supplies are afloat, and further reductions are anticipated. . Arrivals from Australia have been 12,044 cases during the last three weeks. The National Mortgage and Agency Company reports that the depression recently referred to has been prolonged during the past three weeks, and it has been difficult to effect sales of New Zealand flax, even with some cencession in prices. Heavy arrivals in excess of requirements and the quiet state oi the Manila, market appear to be the chief causes of the apathy. Sales amount to about 300 tons. G-ood fair spot in dock is quoted at £29 2s 6d to £2B ss; January-March, £29 10s to .£29 ss; distant quoted, £29. Pair spot and in dock and near, £27 to £27 ss; JanuaryMarch, £27 ss; more distant, £27 to £27 ss. Tow is in demand, bnt little is offering at £11. Manila is quoted at £39 10s per ton (c.i-f.) for fair current, and sisal at £32 per ton (c.i.f.). Three public sales of tallow have been held within the same number of weeks, and the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company tells me that there has been a *air inquiry, prices having remained about steady fcr all descriptions except fine mutton. la regard to this latter quality the supply is in excess of the- damand, and rates must be quoted Is 6d per cwt lower; indeed, to make sales of any considerate quantity some further oon-

cession might have to be made. There is littla doing in Australasian for arrival. A parcel of " Three Crowns " mutton was recently sold at 27s per cwt- (c.i.f.), but nothing like this figure could be now obtained. The National Mortgage and Agency Company reports that 3580 casks have been offered at public aniction during the last three weeks, and 1361 casks bavo been sold. The demand has continued fcuiet, but there has been sufficient inquiry J:o keep jxrices steady, and only am occasionally eiigh't decline has occurred. The extreme Values lately Tuling for fine mutton tallow has bo limited the demand that holders have given •Way, and quotations now show a decline of Is per ewt., and even at this reduction the volume tof business is very small. The lower qualities, iiowever, are in fair demand at steady rates, although Continental buyers are unwilling to operate to any extent at present prices. At the sales this week medium descriptions were •r.oa&y 3d per cwt dearer. Imports from New Zealand during the past three weeks have teen 3261 casks. — A very strong demand has to be noted for cheep /and lamb pc-lts of all descriptions. Prime quality, full substance, sheep pelts of the new season, which, are now arriving, meet ■vrith a ready -sale at a slight advance in price. Freezing lamb pelts are very much sought for, and some good-sized parcels of these have recently been, sold for future delivery at prices v/ell in advance of those current for last Bcaeon's goods. The strongest demand at preeent for lamb pelts comes from America, and tamers there appear willing to make purchases at am advance, as compared with last season's rates, of from 2s to 3s per dozen. The position all round is a strong one. New Zealand crossbred pelts, heavy firsts, are quoted at 24s to 02s per dozen; do seconds, 16s to 23s per Sczen; do medium substance, firsts, 21s to 27s per dozen; do seconds, 14s to 19s per dozen; New Zealand merino, firsts, 13s to 17s per - dozen; seconds, 8s t<3 12s per dozen; New Zealand lambs, firsts, 13s to 18s per dozen; ' seconds, 8s to 13s per dozen. Basils are in short supply, and prices continue firm. In the absence of sales there is nothing of interest to report in rogaid. to labbitskins.- The next sale will be held on the 20th inst. There were no supplies of leather available for the public auctions to be held on the 7th inst. Privately there is a eteady demand at laic rates. The demand for ordinary hides at the last sale was again limited, but a fair number of kips and calfskins sold at relatively fair values, so I learn frem'the National Mortgage and Agency Company. One thousand <seven hundred and eighty-seven hides were offered *nd 689 were Bold. Heavy New Zealand ox hides are quoted, at 4id to 5Jd per lb; light New Zealand ox at 4d to 5d per lb; seconds at 3|d to 4£d per lb; and cow at 4d to 4fd per lb.