The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1884. FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5311, 8 May 1884, Page 2

The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1884. FROZEN MEAT TRADE.

We have had handed over to us the latest reports, dated 27th March, received by Mr F. R. Jackson from bis London agents. The report says : — You will have seen from our monthly circular the state of our market from time to time for this mutton, and we think there are signs that it is growing in favor with our English butchera and the public. The early steamer shipments from New Zealand were all put from the ship into the dock refrigerators, thereby incurring an expense of |d per lb for dock charges, or from 2s to 2s 6d per sheep, it being then considered advisable to pass all into the refrigerators and take them out as sales could be effected. With cooler weather, however, we have found no disadvantage in taking all our sheep from the vessel vithin 48 hours, without using the dock refrigerator, thereby reducing the dock charges to about 6d per sheep — a considerable saving, We should probably be unable to adopt this course in very hot weather. By the British King we have received from Canterbury a number of lambs, and these have sold at 6d to 7d per lb. and we expect to find them more profitable to the shippers than are sheep. Prices for the last two months have been ruling low, but with larger distribution ■ of the meat over the country, as prejudice wears off, and as charges are reduced, the future results to shippers will probably be more satisfactory. A circular recoived from the same agents, under the heading of " frozen meat " says : — '• The London market may be said to have improved about £d per lb for New Zealand Mutton, which is now finding a ready sale at 5Jd to 6d per lb, while lambs on suitable days have sold up to 7d, and we think are likely to increase in value as Easter approaches. The recent cargoes per Aorangi and Victory from New Zealand have both reached here in good condition, and are rapidly going into consumption. An effort is being made under the auspices of the Agent General to popularise New Zealand Mutton here. A cottimitte was formed, consisting of Sir Francis D. Bell, Mr Davidson, and our Mr Allsup, who have obtained space from the Council of the forthcoming Health Exhibition at South Kensington, for a refrigerator (the gratuitous use of which has been obtained) and cold chambers, where sheep will be exhibited in the frozen state, and also for the purposes of a grill and sale room. They have further settled various preliminaries, including the obtaining requisite guarantors for defraying expenses and possible losses. A meeting of guarantors was then held, at which an enlarged comi mittee was appointed, consisting of the afore* named gentlemen, together with Mr Inglis, Mr Stephenson, and Mr Paul, for the carrying out of the various details in connection with the scheme, the success of which seems now assured, and the result, we think, cannot but lead to the popularising of frozen meat, and thus to the general benefit of the community both in the colonies and at home. " A Salisbury paper of 13th March says : — "The consignments of carcases of New Zealand mutton to the Salisbury purveyors on Saturday (heavy as they were) proved unequal to the demand. Prices ranged from BJd per lb (topping) for legs of the primest quality, and other joints at equally low figures in proportion, and at these prices an entire clearance waß effected. There is T»ufc

one opinion as to the flavour and quality of the meat, everybody pronouncing it to^be superior in many respects to the ordinary English mutton retailed by the butchers at about 3d per lb more money. This new importation has caused a complete breakdown in the high price of meat in Salisbury, and should the supplies continue they will be a great boon to the customers."

The Pall Mall Gazette of the 12th March has a full page artiole devoted to the " Ice vaults of Victoria docks." The following we extract from this article: — "Jetty A extends 500 feet into the dock, providing berths for largo steamers on either side. The whole of this jetty, an area of about 4000 square yards, has been excavated into 30 or 40 waterproof chambers, each about the size of a very large dining-room (25ft by 20ft). Two of these chambers are occupied by cold-producing machinery, steam engines are going night and day, and four machines are at work as required. The principle of these machines is that compressed air when suddenly allowed to expand creates intense cold. The cylinders in which this process goes on are coated with ice and snow, and the Arctic blast which rushes from them is guided along wooden conduits two feet in diameter, from which it is admitted, by what, in the case of water, would be called taps, into suoh chambers aB are in use. When a cargo arrives the requisite chambers are at once frozen for its reception, so that the frozen meat need only be exposed to the outer air for the short inteivaLof its passage by the dock railway from the wharf where it is landed to the refrigerating chamber, where it may wait, often for several weeks, until the salesman wants it. What strikes the observer as he watches the process of transfer is the extreme cleanliness of the whole pro* seeding. A cargo of lambs had just arrived, each dressed in a little white chemfse, and when the covering was upripped the carcass was hard to the touch as ice, and was far less repulsive than the familiar sights of the butchers' shops.

The chambers are kept at a temperature of from 20deg to 23deg. Fahrenheit, it having been found that about lOdeg or lldeg of frost is the amount of cold which most surely preserves the good qualities of meat without utterly drying it up. It is interesting to observe how in these new methods improvements are continually being made. Till quite lately the carcases were stowed away on an ordinary deal " floor. It was found, however, that the undermost layer suffered in consequence, and the meat became tainted. This was obviated by the simple expedient of running ribs of wood along the floor, about 18in apart and 4in high. A draught of air was thereby admitted under the carcases, and the lowest tier now remains as sound as any other.

Let ua inquire now what . profit the docks getout of this frozen traffic ; it seems little enough. Their charge is Jof a penny per pound, and for this they (1) take the carcases from the ship's side and carry them on the dock railway to Jetty A j (2) keep those carcases for one week in a temperature of 11 deg. of frost ; and (3) re-deliver them as required to the vans which carry them off to market. The manager of the dock company was almost pathetic as he spoke of the small remuneration which the company gets for so much labor. " Consider, however,'* said a shipowner who was there, " the still harder case of the importer. It is our cruel lot to fit up our steamers with the same cold- producing machinery which you employ for your vaults. Tlut machinery we must carry out to Australasia as mere dead weight (for they want no frozen -cargoes 1 from England), and from the Antipodes we bring the meat Home at 2Jd a pound, involving two months' work for the crews and machinery, and the ateamer being further crippled by the fact that every vessel j adapted for refrigerating purposes loses ! half a knot of speed an hour from loss of 1 steam,' To hear these gentlemen talk, you ' ! might for a moment be induced to believe that their prospects were melancholy in the extreme. The fact is, however, that both dock company and steamboat companies are doing well with the new trade, and it is not i | unlikely that, within ten years, every jetty ! | in the Victoria Dock may be fitted up for ! the reception of frozen cargoes."

There was no business at the Police Court this morning. The Advocate understands that Mr Izard will contest the Foxton seat again. In a telegram sent by Sir G. Grey to the Christchurch Working Men's Association, he says he is working hard for the general good. Messrs Barns and Higgie will to-morrow sell at Mr Caine's farm Piko Piko, a n amber of sheep, cattle, horses, &c. A poll of the ratepayers is to be taken at Kennedy's on the 22nd inst., re imposing a special rate for the Murimotu Road. At a meeting of the U.A.O.D. in Dunedin there were 150 members present, several new members were initated including Mr H. S. Fish M.H.R. *Mv Denby was successful in raising the 5-ton crane on to the wharf this morning. The damage done is very slight, and there is every probability of the crane being in working order in a few days. In another column Mrs Hogg, of Ayrshire House, calls attention to a second shipment of winter goods just landed. Amongst other specialities are enumerated a select stock of tweeds which can be made up if required. The Foresters held a very important meeting last evening, when financial matters were taken into consideration. It says a good deal for the soundness of the Court, that it has now nearly £500 out at interest. The late benefit to Mrs J. W. Robinson resulted in the handsome sum of £25 3s being raised; This amount .was yesterday paid over by Mr Willmott, to whom too much praise cannot be accorded for the generosity shown by him in this matter. j The Aramoho concert in aid of the Organ j fund, will be held this evening in Aramoho school. The programme arranged is a very goodone, including items by many of our best amateurs. Those who attend from the town will be able to return by the 10 o'clock train. Mr Hines notifies in another place that he has received a further supply of oysters direct from Auckland. Mr Hines is now receiving regular weekly shipments from Auckland, and those who patronise him may rest assured that they are gettiDg fresh oysters. The Yeoman will be published to-morrow as usual. This popular weekly will contain a large quantity of local and general news, besides many useful hints on gardening, &c. The first instalment of a pleasantly written tale "For better or for worse" will also be found in it, making this week's issue one of the best and cheapest weeklies published in the colony. The Marlborough Express falls into an error in relating'the capture of the renowned Barry and McDonald; In a foot note to the Press telegram relating to their capture, the editor has confused McDonald with McDonnell, and tells his readers that the prisoner is Captain W- McDonnell brother of Colonel McDonnell of Wanganui. Our readers are of course aware that this is an error, as Captain McDonnell is with the Gold Prospecting Party at Taumaranui. The Council of the Naval Artillery have decided to offer money prizes for a bayonet competition. For the purposes of this competition the company will be divided into naif companies under the Lieutenants, and these will be divided into four sections, each of which will be drilled by a Petty- < officer. These contests have in the past j been the means of increasing the efficiency I of volunteer companies, and it is hoped that I like good will result to the Navals, I

The Borough Council of Cromwell have appointed a committee f< to inquire as to the approximate cost of lighting the two main streets of the borough by electricity. " Captain Edwin telegraphs as follows : — Bad weather approaching between N. and W. and S.W. Glass rising within 6 hours, but will fall again after 16 hours, and wind backing. Mr E. N. Liffiton notifies that he will to« ] morrow sell by auction the remainder of the salvage stock from Mrs Walker's fire, The sale will commence at 2 p.m., in Taylor and Watt's store. The Mangawhero Road Board held a special meeting yesterday at Kennedy's to strike a rate of £d in the £ as a general rate/ There was no other business before the meet* ing. , ■ ; A Press Association message to the Post ; says that ib is proposed in the Palmerston (South) district to raise a popular subscription for an oil painting of Mr Stout, for presentation to him in recognition of hia services on the Land Board. The shipment of the tinned meat 'of Messrs Hellaby, of Auckland, has, by London advices received by the mail, been sold in London to a German house for use in the German Army. The meat realised in a dull market 4|d per pound. , In Dunedin, a City Councillor has moved that all the boulder crossings over footpaths be taken up, and replaced by tarred screenings. The idea is one which might, with advantage be followed- in at least, two ofthe main footpaths in Wanganui. The football season opens on Saturday,, and the sides will be picked from the members of the Club- who are then, present on the field, the position on the alphabet of the first letter of the players name determining on which side he will be arrayed. A large attendance of players is requested, so that the season may be opened as auspiciously as possible. The match will be played on the Recreation Reserve, commencing at 2,45 o'clock. I Of the following political gossip taken i from the N. Z. Times, the Otago Daily Times says, ' ' probably that which is new is not true."— "The Hon. Mr Oliver will, It is said, quit the Upper Chamber, and woo some Southern constituency if his health will allow him. Mr Fish's popularity is unabated, but Mr Bracken's is waning, and so is that of Mr Green — the one with a conscience. Er Downie Steward will contest Dunedin. It is said that Mr Stout will not be a candidate at the general election." The Post of last evening says :—lt: — It is understood that Mr George Thorne, junr., 1 the superintendent of agents in the Government Insurance Department, has been suspended from duty, in consequence, it is believed, of certain matters which came to light in connection with the recent prosecution of Joseph Mackay, one of the travelling agents. Ijb is not yet known what further steps will be taken in the matter. The Ministers decline to say anything in the matter.

The London correspondent of the Post says : — I have received a note from Sir John Hall, who avers that the stories relative to his immediate return to the colony, and resolve to enter public life there, are pure canards. Sir John has no intention of going back to New Zealand for permanence until the latter part of 1885. It is, however, probable that he may, in the coming autumn, pay a visit to the colony in connection with private affairs, returning to England in the spring.

On Wednesday next Mr F. R. Jackson is to sell at his St Hill street yards some very valuable properties in the W&ittf&ra district, belonging to Messrs Durie and Brewer. The block consists of 1939 acres, and is divided into suitable paddocks. The whole is well watered, and laid down in English grasses, making a very, desirable property. One advantage it possesses is that of proxmity to the railway station. The property has been divided into three lots, so that those desirous of securing a portion may be able to avail themselves of this opportunity.

The Naval Artillery were last evening inspected by Captain Abbot in the Drill Shed. The company were put through a number of cxc rcises by Capt Abbot, and afterwards a march out took place. The company preceded by the Garrison Band traversed the principle streets, and then returned to the Drill Shed, where Lieutenant Cross put the men through bayonet exercise. There were about 40 present exclusive of the Garrison Band. Government parades will be held on the 22nd and 24th, the latter being a daylight parade.

The meeting of the working committee of the Caledonian Society, advertised for yesterday afternoon, lapsed for want of a quorum. The business to have been laid before the meeting was simply that of passing accounts. A general meeting of members will be held shortly, when a secretary and treasurer will be selected. The rules will also be revised, and there will be other important business brought before the meeting. It is satisfactory to learn that the list of members stands now at about 80, and that the balance sheet of the society shows a small credit balance accruing from the first Caledonian gathering.

We have been requested by some of the friends of the late Mr L, G. Moyle to call attention to the hasty manner in which the burial was conducted. The corpne was brought into town after the inquest, and buried tht> same evening between six and seven o'clock. The deceased was well known to many of the old Wauganui residents, who would willingly have contributed towards defraying the funeral expenses, had the neighbors of the deceased given them a hint that this was necessary. The hasty burial was altogether out of place, and the friends of the deceased feel hurt that no opportunity should have been given them of following his remains to the grave.

Mr E, N. Liffiton chairman of the late householder's meeting has received the following letter : — I have the honor to state that I placed your letter before the Board, and I am directed in reply to state that the District High Schools have been disestablished in consequence of their having proved failures both as regards numbers attending and the progress of thoae who do attend, facts which have been pressed upon the notice of the Board by the Wanganul School Committee, and that further the recommendations of the joint committee for improving the system of teaching were considered by the Board to be wholly impracticable. — I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, A. A. Browne, Secretary.

Referring to the gravel question, Mr H. M. Brewer writes : — The refusal of , the Borough Council tq allow me to take a small quantity of gravel, placed me for a time in an awkward position, as I had twenty thousand ova ordered, and not anticipating a refusal, had taken no other steps to obtain it. I was determined not to lose the season, as I had promised young fiah to many Bettlers. In this dilemma I invoked the aid of a Foreign Power. I went over to Putiki and asked the natives for their assistance. As soon as they ascertained that I required the gravel for a public and not private work, they immediately said I could have twenty loads if I wished, and hoped it would be' suitable for -the purpose. They seem a very intelligent lot of people. The following paragraph from the Belfast News Letters of the 12th March refers to a well-known New Zealand settler, Captain Shannon, of the firm of Thompson and Shannon :— On Monday evening this town presented a festive appearance. The town band, followed by a large concourse of people, after parading the principal streets, took up a position opposite the residence of Mr Graham Shannon, Church Street, where an immense bonfire was lit in honour of the arrival of his son, Captain George Vance Shannon, J.P., and Mrs Shannon, from New Zealand. The Shannon family has occupied a respected position in Antrim for over three hundred years, and none more so than the present possessors of that name there, hence the welcome was very enthusiastic. The captain was loudly cheered, and in response to a call appeared at a window, from which he addressed those assembled at considerable length, thanking them for the cordial reception given to him and Mrs Shannon. He advised the young men and women to emigrate to the colonies, where remunerative employment awaits them, and where, by en* terpriae and energy, they can achieve honour* able fortunes.