PRESERVED AUSTRALIAN MEAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 343, 19 June 1869, Page 3

PRESERVED AUSTRALIAN MEAT.

The great enterprise of supplementing our ment supplies with consignments from the colonies is at length fairly afloat. The stoliit apathy and suspicious reserve of the English public are giving way, and they are responding cordially to the succulent overtures of Melbourne and Sydney companies. The two great London depots have for some weeks been exhausted of their stores. Spirited speculators have beeu found wiliins- to purchase large quantities of canisters, and by them the preserved meats have been widely diffused throughout the country. Ie is stated that one bold speculator netted £ ! 4,000 profit in a few days. To a limited extent, this method of extending the sales at this early stage of the enterprise is desirable ; but if carried too far, speculation, which works by buying up the stocks, will so enhance the retail price ac to render the meats comparatively unsaleable. In Nottingham and in the Potteries towns, I have seen the 6lb canisters ticketed at 3s 9d, which is 7Jd per lb, being decidedly Hd per lb too high, if a permanent and steadily continuous demand is to he maintained. The agents in London should aim at supplying retail dealers direct, iv moderate quantities, and at a fair price. Extravagant rates may rule for a few months, but they will be sure to create a violent reaction, and in the meantime render the new movement unpopular. Messrs M'Call and Co., of Hounsditch, had on their books early in April orders in anticipation of future arrivals to the enormous extent of 630,000 tins of 4lb and 6lb each. Meanwhile, these agents have availed themselves of this flush of good fortune to offer 50 0 unallotted shares in the Melbourne Meat-pre-serving Company. The Lords of the Admiralty have accepted the tender of the Australian Meat Company (Limited), for whom Messrs John M'Call and Co. are the London agents, for the supply of 200,0001 b of Australian preserved beef. A consignment of 10,500 tins of mutton, prepnred by the Melbourne Meat-preserving Company, arrived here the other day, in the ship Red Jacket, from Melbourne. Notice has been given that the Argentine Government have resolved to defer till the 31st of August next the adjudication of the prize of 8000dol. (about £1600), which was to have been awarded in six months frora the 2nd of November last to the inventor or introducer of the best system of preserving fresh meat on a scale capable of extensive development. It appears that numerous applications have been sent in, but the Government have decided that they must bu accompanied by samples. These are required to be forwarded to his Excellency Senor Don Dalmacio Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Ayres.