Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1896. THE LOW PRICE OF FROZEN

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7545, 28 January 1896, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1896. THE LOW PRICE OF FROZEN

MEAT. The following article, which appeared in the New Zealand Herald of Wednesday last, is of special intorest to sheepfarmers, and the facts disclosed may afford a clue to the reason of the price of frozen mutton being so low :— A great and grave question has arisen amongst insurancG underwriters about frozen mutton going bad so constantly of late. One large firm of underwriters, in a communication just received, raises a serious question about charcoal being used for the insulation in freezing vessels. They say : — " We enclose you copy of the figures, by which you will see that there must be something wrong with the meat during tho present year, for it is not ono steamer that has gone wrong, but almost every steamer and overy ship. Wo ask ourselvos is it possible that tho charcoal used for tho insulation has become impaired and worn out, and impregnated with tho germs of fungus, which can bo imparted to tho meat ?" The circumstances referred to here, whether the' suggested explanation of it is right or wrong, has become n serious thing in relation to the export trado in frozen meat, and when we consider the importance which in New Zealand attaches to this enterprise, the subject is one that demands very searching investigation. Although the number of carcases shippod from the colony has been steadily increasing from year to year, and the costs of manipulation and of transport have beeu obtaining the benefits of experience and ingenuity and competition, the price of frozen mutton in London has been going steadily down, until the enterprise is approaching a point at which loss rather than remuneration is to be expected. And it is not merely the actual but tho relative price that is to be noted in connection with this gradual decline, for while New Zealand mutton ranges from 3.Yd per Ib for best to 2d for inferior classes, English mutton roalises 7d, and sometimes mor6, per lb. Now this being so, it becomes a question of the first importance what may be the cause or causes contributing to this, so that if possible tho evil may be combated. It is admitted that the quality of the sheep before freezing has in no way deteriorated, nor is there less caro bestowed on selecting and freezing. Some of tho blamo may attach to the accumulation of stocks in Now Zealand mutton in London at times when English mutton may bo affecting the markets, and tho state of the stocks compels sales, and consequently injurious competition, the remedy for which might be found in moro judicious dealing with tho market. But v more subtle reason, and ono apparently more uniformly acting, is in the inferior condition in which the mutton arrives, as compared with the prime state in which it arrived in former times. Thoro appear to be frequent complaints of lo?s of " blouin," and of the appearance on tin 1 , moat, (if mildiiw incipient or di>vi-lnpi;d, atitl those frequent appearances Brim to bo laiwly responsible for tho fact that Nero Zealand mutton has fnllon to a steady relative prico of about half of th:>t obtained for English mutton. It his been supposed, and not now for the first time, that these appearances may bo duo to the presence of charcoal in the insulation. Every steamer hitherto engaged in the trade, and every cool chamber in London, use the charcoal insulation, and if, as suspected, charcoal has a tendency to tho production of germs or microbes, it is quite sufficient to account for the phenomena. That this is so is the distinct opinion of Sir James Hector, who in his evidence last year bofore the Committee of the Legislative Council at Wellington, after referring to charcoal as tending to spontaneous com-

bustion, added that "charcoal is a deodoriser, but not a disinfectant — that is, it absorbs and retains any germs of putrefaction without, destroying them, and thus may become a ' nidus ' (breeding ground) for the propagation of germs that may taint the meat. For this reason, when the meat-freezing trade was started I strongly urged the use of calcined pumice, instead of charcoal, as being quite as good a nonconductor and absolutely safe." This constitutes a very serious charge against the present nearly universal practice o£ employing charcoal for the insulation of cold and chilled chambers, in which not only mutton but dairy produce is frozen and stored in transport, and it is hardly less serious than the danger now fully known to exist in the liability of charcoal to set ships on fire through its tendency to spontaneous combustion. The effect of germs in producing putrefaction, is of course fully established, and as charcoal is a large absorber of oxygen, and the abundant presence of oxygon increases the production of deleterious germs, it must in process of time render unfit for human food substances such as mutton, or butter that has been carried in steamers or stored in cool stores in close proximity to charcoal insulation. It ia needless to say that on this theory the chambers and stores so used must become increasingly energetic in the transmission of putrefactive germs the longer they are in use, and that altogether the use of charcoal for this purpose ought to be abandoned. If there were nothing so conveniently and easily obtainable to take its place, the evils incident to its use might have to be borne, as insulation is of course a necessity. But now that pumice, purified and prepared for tho purpose, and confessedly free from both inflammatory and putrefactive tendencies, can be provided at scarcely greater cost, and in abundance, it seems little short of criminal negligence to allow a great enterprise to be further needlessly imperilled. Any way the subject is one that ought to receive the most trenchant investigation, so that a product which promises so much for this colony may obtain again and retain the high character in the English market to which New Zealand mutton is entitled. The monthly meeting of the Hospital Trustees will be held to-morrow evening at the hospital. Another big blast is to be fired shortly at Napier breakwater to bring down a portion of the overhanging hill, The hon. secretary of the Gisborne Public Library begs to acknowledge with thanks a, present of a parcel of 20 books from Mr R. W. Kern. The Borough Council has erected a public trough for horses and cattle at tho back of the old brewery, the well at the foot of Gladstone road having run dry. Messrs Kennedy and Evans have purchased the cutter Venus, which they intend using for the local lightering trade. To-morrow being Anniversary Day for the Province of Auckland the Magistrate's Court here will be closed. The usual meeting of the Borough Council will be hold this evening, when in addition to the ordinary business Cr Harding's motion re a wator supply will come on for discussion. The " penny-royal " is spreading to an alarming extent on the Kaiti roads, and unless some prompt measures are taken to eradicate it, the rich pastures of Kaiti will be spoiled by this noxious pest. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Harbour Board for this month will be held at 2.30 on Friday afternoon, instead of in the evening. Tenders for punt will have to be sent in by tha time, In tho Labor Journal for January 23rd the report on the local labor market is as follows : — Building trades : Fair business being done. Unskilled labor : No local men reported idle. There haa been a large wool clip this season, and harvesting is now begun. At a public meeting in Wanganui to consider a scheme to raise funds for the completion of the new hospital the sum of £400 odd was raised in tho room, one well-known settler heading the list with £100. A "Hospital Saturday" is to be held, when subscriptions will bo taken up throughout the whole district. Mr Watson, who wa3 appointed to take charge of tho secondary class at the High School until Mr Mann can resume his duties, wus expected to arrive by the Elora last evening, but not having done so the class was dismissed this morning by tho Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr W. Morgan, until ho arrives. The postal revenue at the Gisborne Postoffice during tho quaiter ended Dec, 31st, 1895, was £1133, and tho telegraph revenue £819. There >vero 974 money orders issued for £3201, and £1208 was paid on 322 orders In the Savings Bank 126 accounts were opened, and 108 closed, tho number of deposits being 703, and the withdrawals 661. The amount of deposits was £6996, and of withdrawals £9037. Postal notes amounting to £387 were issued, and to the value of £144 paid, Mr James Macfarlane, President, of the A. and P. Society, accompanied Mr Arnold Wethered .this morning to the spot where tho latter indicated what he had taken to bo a rabbit burrow. After a careful examination, Mr Macfarlane feels convinced that the hole in the bank is a rat warren and not a rabbit burrow. Messrs Barker state that they have no knowledge of rabbits even having been seen about thoir property. Judging by the free manner in which assistance is being rendered the Committees of tho Garden Fele, tho affair promises to be a success. As would be seen by the inset published with last evening's issue the programme of athletic events is a varied one, and the intervals being short, interest in the sports will not be allowed to flag. Other amusements are beine provided in the form of side shows, which will be one of the principal features of attraction. A capital programme for tho concert following the tea has been prepared, at which the Vignola Bros, will assist, their services having been secured for the afternoon and evening. Conveyances will run to and from the grounds up to 6 o'clock, carrying passengers at 6d each. Tho Committee has requested us to state that there will be no lack of shade on the ground. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr Booth, S.M., Alexander Richie was fined 203 and costs for having been drunk whilst in charge of a horse. —In the case of Pare Aruhe v. Thomas Greyson, in which complainant applied for an order of maintenance of her child, of which defendant was alleged by her to bo the father, Mr Lyannr appeared for informant and Mr Nolan for defendant. Mr Nolan objected to the form iv which tho proceedings had been commenced, the word " information " being wrongly substituted for " complaint." He had not brought his witnesses, as it was not necessary in view of the way in which the proceedings had been initiated. — Mr Lysnar said he could withdraw the information and proceed by way of complaint. — Mr Nolan applied to have the case dismissed, and this was ngreod to by the Court, it being understood that a complaint would be laid, to conic on for hearing on Friday.- — Mr Nolan applied for costs, but tho Magistrate declined to allow any. A special summons meeling of Loyal Gisl>nrno Lorigo, I() O F., M.U., 6057, was ln'ld Unil, nieht, when n. gnoclly number of members were present, Bio. Pnul Suhwabo, N.Ct , presiding. The balauco sheet tiud auditors' report for the year was then presented bhowing ii capital account of .£1,975, £1,800 of which is invested on freehold souurily in tho district beating interest from 5 per cent, to 8 per cent. Siok pay to the extent of £127 3a 4(1 was paid during tho year, notwithstanding the Lodge shows an increaso of funds to the extent of £100 for the year, Tho most pleasing part of the gathering was the resolution that was carried of reducing the present management contribution, so that with the present benefits offered by this Lodge greater success may be expected during tho present year. The new Lodge regalia, which arrived last mail, was worn for the first time at this meeting, and added v greatly to tho brilliancy of the gathering.

There are six oases of typhoid in the fever ward of the Napier hospital. The Bank of New Zealand has made a second call of £308 8d upon the shareholders. Mr H. Shearman crossed Cook Strait iv a Bob Roy canoe last week. A youth named Robert Bryant, a grass- ' seeder at Akaroa, was seriously burned by his tent catching fire. ' Another fire at Hastings. On Friday ' night an alarm was raised, and the brigade turned out to witness the burning of a oowBhed in King street. After fighting for some days against the elements in Wellington, Fitzgerald Bros, have had to remove their circus from their large tent to the drillshed. There has been no word from Captain Edwin since the 24th instunt. Evidently he has given the weather conundrum up. The Bteamer Star of Victoria shipped 24,748 packages of frozen meat and 1,477 bales and 694 pockets of wool at Napier. The leaders of a "skeleton army" who promenaded Wairoa on New Year's Eve, rendering night hideous, were fined one shilling each with costs 203 — to be borne equally amougst the accused. We (Wairoa Guardian) learn that onr report that the residence of Mr P. Walsh, at Nuhaka North, had been destroyed by a bush fire, was slightly iv error. It appears the owner thought the house to be in danger, and removed his effects to what he considered to be a safe spot in the bush. When tho fire oamfc along, the house escaped, but the whole of the effects were destroyed. The fires continue to rage with unabated vigor in the Tunanui Valley, and various losses are reported. Mr T. Taylor had a number of sneep burned, and the residence of another settler was also consumed. Much other damage has been occasioned. A large representative and enthusiastic meeting took place at Auckland the other day, Mr Niccol (Chairman of the Harbor Board) presiding, when it was resolved to establish a branch of the Navy League. The following resolution was carried unanimously :— " That, in the opinion of this public meeting of New Zealand colonists, the recent statesmanlike and patriotic action of Lord Salisbury iv regard to Venezuela and also in the Transvaal has been such as to intensify our feelings of loyalty to the Throne, and to make us feel proud of being subjects of Great Britain's Empire." Ib was agreed that Premier Seddon he asked to transmit the resolution to the Premier of England. At Christchurch a similar meeting has been held. An interesting discovery was made a few weeks ago by Mr Gibb, one of the tenants of the Henley estate (says the Henley correspondent of the Otago Witness). He was ploughing a field near the Lee Creek, when his plough grazed the side of a Maori canoe, which lay buried in the ground. In the process of removing ifc he came upon another. The two he hod lifted and placed at the side of the field. It is estimated that these canoes must be at least one hundred years old. Each has been cut out of the trunk of a totara, the marks of the atone axe being quite apparent. They each measure about 22ft long, 18in wide, and 12in deep. A peculiar feature about one of the canoes is the existence on one of the sides of an extra or top side, about 9in wide, and extending the whole length of the canoe. This top side slopes inward at an angle of about 30deg, with a perpendicular to the horizontal plane. A weather phenomenon for this time of year is reported from Marumaru, where there was a sharp frost on Friday and Saturday morning last. Cucumbers and other similar plants were nipped and destroyed. Between Wairoa and Mohaka last Tuesday a shower of rain of tropical violence was experienced. It travelled over Putere way where its severity was very market!. The weather was broiling hot in Wairoa at the time. Some idea of tho boring operations at Motorua, New Plymouth, may be gathered from the following extract from the Taranaki Herald :— " It appears that up to Monday there had been no indications of the near presence of oil, but precautions had been taken to case the bore right to the bottom and shut off water that might be met with. About 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon tho first indications were met with, and boring was continued. At 5 o'clock, the bore being then down to a depth of 920 feet, there was a sudden explosion and a great escape of gas, which came from the bore with the sound of a rushing wind, carrying with it a quantity of oil, which was scattered over the derrick and the buildings connected with it. The occurrence startled the workmen, but steps were soon taken to get the escape under control. The oil rose rapidly in the bore, and on Tuesday morning had reached within 375 ft of the top. At the time of our visit the work of putting down a small pipe for the outflow of tho oil was proceeding, and was expected to occupy tho men for some hours. Until that .wus fiuished it was impossible to say with any certainty, wo wero told, what would be the value of the well. This much, however, the borers informed us— they were highly pleased with the indications, and indeed could not wish for better. Certainly the escape of gas would appear to indicate that a well of exceptional value had been struck. This gas it is intended to run at ones to a useful purpose by subsituting it for firewood in heating the boiler at the works. At dusk work had to be suspended, on account of the danger of explosion if lights wero used. However, the gas was conveyed by means of pipes out into the open air, and after dark it was lighted up, illuminating the country for a long distance."