FROZEN MEAT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14039, 23 October 1909, Page 3

FROZEN MEAT.

C.C. ANL) 1). CO'S REPORT The Colonial Consignment and Distributing Company reporting 011 the London meat market under date, September ]Utli., says: — Although the market throughout the. past month has been adequately supplied with most descriptions 01 meat, there has been a distinct improvement in tone compared with the position'four .weeks ago. The demand, generally lias been very fair for the time of tho .year, and while beef commands its usual share of attention, a considerable quantity of mutton has been put into consumption.. New Zealand Mutton. —The receipts during the four weeks only amount to 120,551 carcases, and the increase over last year's receipts to the same date has diminished .to 15(50,02.5 carcases. It, is now evident that the consumption of mutton during the recent abnormally low prices was greater than had been generally estimated, and it ha.s come as something in the nature of a surprise to lind that stocks and afloat.* may be barely sufficient to carry 011 until the new season. The large dealers have in consequence been taking steps to cover themselves, and, as stocks are in comparatively few hand-?, it has been found possible to establish a welcome advance in values. Light Canterbury sheep can be quoted np to 3ld per lb. and North Island at 3d per lb. The heavy sheep show even more appreciation, being relatively scarce, and North Islands at 2id per lb. show an advance of. about Id per lb. in the four weeks. Ewes also sell readily at prices up to 2Jd per lb. for light earcases. It is well to emphasize that the improvement in the position is not due to an increased demand from retailers, but entirely owing to tho probable light stocks in the near future. Frozen Lambs.—The importations are now falling ofT. The total increase in the receipts to date is 1,007.527 carcases, and in these figures is to be found practically all the explanation of the present position. The demand for lamb is now declining, hut Ihe increased value of light sheen has improved the quotation for heavy lambs, and these latter are in reopo'-t at 3d. to 3Jd per lb. for Cflntrhnvr* 51 "d 2-d to 3d per lb. for North Islands. Light lambs have nlso moved slightlv in sellers' favour, but do nut exceed in value 3?d rep lb for C°nt°rburvs and 3}d P"r lb. for North T<--lnnds, Tho rt.ocks in r + ore nrp still liea vv and sales are only ma in in "d at their present rate bv virtue of the low orieps. Australian lamhs are scarcely in evideme- but some tegs are making up to 2;d per lb.