A GOOD BEGINNING.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5438, 30 March 1889, Page 2

A GOOD BEGINNING.

Thk development of the frozen meat trade in the Day is proceeding like a house on fire. When Messrs Nelson Bros, made their proposals for the establishment of freezing works here, it was modestly thought that for a year or so the local output would not exceed •20,000 per annum, and a guarantee was given for 13,000 only, subject to the provision that if the signers of tho guarantee could not supply the number of sheep set opposite their names they would not be liable to makeup thedeticiency. Thefrcczing arrangements are expected to be in operation heroin October next, but it is safe to assume that before a single carcase is frozen here between twenty-five to thirty thousand fat sheep will have been despatched from Poverty Bay to outside places. The above number is estimated as the probable output for the first

nine months of the present year. An exj perienced sheepfarmer gives a higher estimate than the above. The following purchases of fat sheep for outside places have been made within the past few days : — From Rangitira and Lome stations, 2000 for North British ; Mr G. Wyllie, 2000 for Nelson Bros. ; Mr C. Evans, 2000 for Nelson Bros. ; Mr P. Barker, 2000 for North British ; Waipawa station, 1040 for Auckland. In addition to the above, 5000 fat sheep will shortly be despatched from Mr Williams' Coast stations for Napiei, and we hear of another line of 2000 that will in a few days be on the road to Auckland. These numbers added together represent 1(5,00;) sheep, and we are informed that there arc several thousands available for the market, but purchases have not been made owing to the difficulty of getting the sheep away. The development of the trade is proceeding at a rate which should satisfy the most sanguine.