H.—43.

1885. NEW ZEALAND.

INDIAN MARKETS FOR NEW ZEALAND FROZEN MEAT, ETC. (CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

No. 1. The Acting Undee-Seceetaey, Bombay, to the Hon. the Colonial Tbeasubeb. Sie, — General Department, Bombay Castle, 4th December, 1884. In continuation of my letter No. 4178,* dated the 14th ultimo, I am directed by His Excellency the Governor in Council to forward herewith copy of a letter from the CommissaryGeneral, Bombay, No. 41-33/8045, dated the 28th idem. I have, &c, W. P. Symonds, Acting Under-Secretary to Government. Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., Colonial Treasurer of New Zealand.

Enclosure. The Commissaby-Genebal, Bombay, to the Seceetaey to Govebnment, Bombay. Sie,— 28th November, 1884. With reference to General Department, Government Eesolution 3597, dated the 2nd ultimo, I have the honour to furnish the following particulars for the information of His Excellency the Governor in Council:— 2. The annual consumption of meat at Bombay and Poona is as under— Bombay. Poona. Total. Beef ... ... 186,6601b. ... 426,8551b. ... 613,5151b. Mutton .... ... 75,8001b. ... 185,7301b. ... 261,5301b. Total ... ... ... ... ... 875,0451b. 3. The average departmental rates for the past year, as furnished by the Examiner of Commissariat Accounts, are as under:— Bombay. Poona. b. a. p. B. A. p. Beef ... ... ... ... 0 2 5 ... 0 1 8 per lb. Mutton ... ... ... ... 0 3 2 ... 0 2 7 per lb. 4. The General Traffic Manager, Great Indian Peninsula Eailway Company, has intimated that the company is prepared to carry the frozen meat at the third-class goods rate by passonger train at 14 rupees 5 annas and 6 pies per ton from Bombay to Kirkee, and 14 rupees 10 annas per ton from Bombay to Poona, which gives an average of 1J pie per lb. as the transit charges of the meat to Poona. 5. If the cost of the New Zealand frozen meat be 4d. per lb. deliverable in the Commissariat godowns at Bombay, its cost at the current year's rate of exchange (Is. 7-J-d. per rupee) would be 3 annas 3J pies per lb., which appears high compared with the departmental rates. 6. There is no accommodation either at Bombay or Baudora for the storage of raw meat, even if consignments are received monthly, 7. As regards the woollen fabrics, I beg to state that in absence of samples it is not possible to say which of them couli be utilized by this department. I have, &c, H. Heythuysen, Colonel, The Secretary to Government, Acting Commissary-General. General Department, Commissary-General's Office, Bombay.

No. 2. Mr. A. J. Willis to the Acting Undeb-Seceetaey, Bombay. Sib,— Government Offices, Wellington, 4th February, 1885. I have been directed by the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel to acknowledge the receipt, with thanks, of your letter No. 4457, of the 4th December last, enclosing copy of a letter from the CommissaryGeneral, under .date 28th November, containing particulars of the consumption of meat at Bombay and Poona. I have, &c, The Acting Under-Secretary" to Government, Alex. Willis. • General Department, Bombay Castle.

* Vide Appendices to Journals, House of Representatives, H.-15a, 1885, p. 15,