H.—3B

2

FROZEN MEAT. The revised schedule of prices agreed to in October, 1916, by the Imperial Board of Trade and the freezing companies concerned remained operative until the termination of the contract at 30th June, 1920. A great effort was made by the Imperial authorities during the year to relieve the congestion existing in New Zealand freezing-stores so as to allow free operations to be carried on by freezing companies under normal conditions. The sales to American purchasers mentioned in my last report were continued, and from the Ist April, 1920, 2,103,259 carcases lamb and 464,463 carcases lightweight wether mutton were shipped to the United States of America in fourteen steamers. On the Bth October, 1920, the Imperial Government also announced the sale of all beef in quarters, in store and afloat, to Messrs. Vestey Bros. Special arrangements were made for the carriage of this beef, and 388,862 quarters were shipped in six steamers of the Blue Star Line and two chartered steamers. The total quantities of meat shipped from the Ist April, 1920, to 31st March, 1921, were — Beef (quarters) .. '.. .. .. 571,484 Mutton (carcases) .. .. .. ..5,043,097 Lamb (carcases) .. .. .. .. 4,042,293 Other meat (in 60 lb. carcases) .. . , .. 81,611 The total quantities of meat purchased from the inception of the Imperial Government purchase (3rd March, 1915) to the 30th June, 1920 (the date of the termination of the final contract), were as follows : — Beef (quarters) .. .. .. .. 3,671,885 Mutton (carcases) .. .. .. .. 17,447,046 Lamb (carcases) .. .. .. .. 17,681,218 Other meat (in 60 lb. carcases) .. .. .. 370,469 The total quantities shipped during the period 3rd March, 1915, to 31st March, 1921, were as follows : — Beef (quarters) .. .. .. .. 3,456,527 Mutton (carcases) .. .. .. ..17,342,177 Lamb (carcases) .. .. .. .. 17,667,803 Other meat (in 60 lb. carcases) .. .. .. 368,082 including 2,382,347 carcases lamb and 464,463 carcases mutton consigned to New York and Boston. The respective quantities shipped from each port are set out in an appendix hereto. The losses of Imperial Government meat in New Zealand during the same period were as follows : — Lost by wreck during loading operations — Mutton (carcases) .. .. .. .. 1,710 Destroyed by fire — Mutton (carcases) .. .. .. .. 4,987 Deteriorated in works and subsequently canned or boiled down — Beef (quarters) .. . . .. . . 477 • Mutton (carcases) .. .. .. ..25,139 Lamb (carcases) .. .. •• ... .. 9,007 equal to 0-107 per cent, of the total purchases.