The Frozen Meat Trade.

Southland Times, Issue 4792, 15 November 1883, Page 3

The Frozen Meat Trade.

SHIPMENT PER OPAWA. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — T beg to quote a paragraph from our London Manager's letter to us of date 21st September, bearirg on the shipment of frozen mutton from Bluff per Opawa, and as the matter is of such general interest to the public I thought you would kindly publish it. PBOZEN MEAT PER OPA"WA. This vessel arrived in dock on 15 .h inst. (September) with a cargo of 6550 carcasses sheep — 282 of these being split carcasses. Of her total consignment 1519 wh^le carcasses and 77 aplit carcasses were addressed to this company. On reference to our special circular of 18th November, 1881, it will be found that the months of September, October and November are spoken of as likely to prove the leaßt desirable of the whole year in which to receive consignments of frozen meat from your side. Unfortunately, confirmation of this opinion has not been wanting in the case of the shipment under review, as the market during the past fortnight has been duller and more depressed than for some time past, and sales of the sound portions have only been effected with some difficulty at 6d to 6£d, and occasionally 6|d per lb. The consignment generally, though fairly well butchered, in point oE condition does not compare favorably with recent arrivals from other parts of your colony, notably Canterbury. While freezing on board export ships is never bo satisfactory as in refrigerating works on shore, in the absence of the latter at your port, no other course was open to shippers t'can to avail of refrigeration on board the Opawa. This, however, does not justify either the presence of a considerable number of old wethers and ewes, or the varied sizes of the carcasses, or the evident inferiority in condition of bo me of tbe sheep at time of slaughtering. The last-named defect has in several instances led to discoloration and unsoundnesa— a natural but unfortunate result, damaging to the reputation of the entire shipment. We have only to add that it is desirable, when dressing sheep for this market, not to put the forelegs of the animal through the skin at the back of the neck. This treatment doubtless serves to economise space in ship's hold, but its adoption causes the shoulder joints to become distorted, and thus lessens the value of tlw carcass. We are daily feeding Ihe market according to the existing demand with the sheep consigned to us. Of these 167 carcasses have thus far been sold, the average price obtained fo : same being 6d perl b. Of the split carcasses 139 sides have been disposed of at a trifle over 4£d per lb. The latter are quite unsuited to the requirements of this market, not only on account of th«vir mode of preparation, but also because they appear to be particularly liable to injury by reason of abrasure in separation. Split carcases are alco leas saleable because the area of com petition for them is lessened, and we canoot therefore recommend their being sent hither." — I am, &c, Jno. Tubnbull, Manager. Invercargill, 14th Nov., 1883. For remainder of reading matter see fourth page