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consequence was that a considerable percentage had to be condemned. Later
on the trade got much firmer, but unfortunately the very hot weather which
prevailed in Argentina during June and July made it impossible to reduce
the animal heat, with the result that a large quantity of splendid beef was in
a putrid condition on its arrival. The fall of the year, though the range of
prices has been low, has presented but little difficulty in this way, except
when someone forgets that meat is a perishable article and thinks it can be
played about with in a refrigerator indefinitely. Some of the importers have
felt aggrieved at the seizure of their beef, in consequence of the formations of
mould upon it.
One feature of especial interest has been the first arrival of chilled
beef from Australia. It was brought by the s.s. "Marathon," from Brisbane,
and consisted of about 1,200 hind-quarters and 150 fores. The selection
was by no means good, some of the quarters being poor little stuff. The
contrast in the condition of these and the stouter ones was very marked and
formed a fine object lesson of what we have so often insisted upon in these
pages, viz., that meat for any system of preservation must be substantial and
well-fed to begin with. The journey lasted 62 days, and the method of
preservation was that known as the "Linley" system, which consists in
sterilizing the air of the chamber. If this experiment is to lead to a
successful issue it is an imperative necessity that better beef be shipped.
If they send rubbish it will be nothing but rubbish when it gets here, and as
such cannot lead to remunerative business.
6. Frozen Meat from New Zealand, Argentina, and Australia.—
There has been a very considerable increase in the quantity of both beef and
mutton sent by Australia, affording welcome evidence that the effects of the
great drought have nearly or quite passed away, and there has also been an
enormous quantity of New Zealand lamb, amounting, as we are informed,
to over three million carcases. Argentina mutton has been abundant
throughout the year, and good in quality. The frozen trade is not well
handled ; there are so many intermediaries between the producer and the
consumer, all of whom seem to thrive amazingly; some means of reducing
these is greatly needed. The regulations of the Local Government Board
in respect of Foreign Meat and Unsound Meat have had an excellent effect
in curbing that which was fast developing into a source of danger. It is
largely owing to these that we show a great reduction in the weight of
tuberculous meat seized during the year.
Five persons have been summoned for sending diseased meat to the Central
Market, and convictions obtained in each case.
The following Naval Officers have received instruction in the examination
of meat, viz.: 1 Victualling Store Officer, 1 Fleet Paymaster, 8 Staff
Paymasters, 5 Paymasters, and 10 Assistant Paymasters, to whom with one
exception Certificates of Competency were granted.