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Argentina.—The quality, etc., of the beef and mutton delivered in the market was,
as usual, nearly perfect. The numbers of tubercular quarters of beef and carcases of mutton
affected with caseous lymphadenitis showed a slight increase.
The Minister of Agriculture in Argentina, with commendable action, has issued instructions that no diseased carcase or any carcase of mutton from which lymph glands showing
lesions of caseous lymphadenitis have been cut out, are to be exported, and the prevalence
of the latter disease amongst the flocks of sheep is being investigated.

Australia.—A consignment of chilled hind quarters of beef arrived during the year.
The quality, grading and dressing of the meat were very satisfactory. Unfortunately the
majority of the quarters were, on arrival at the Market and unsheeted, found to be mouldy.
From observations made and information kindly supplied by the Manager of the Consigning
Company, the defects were due to the following reasons, viz.:—
1. Chamber not sufficiently pre-cooled prior to loading.
2. Each quarter was not given enough air space, thus preventing a complete circulation
of air around every quarter.
3. Carrying the meat in an atmosphere containing too much moisture, which is known
to be conducive to the growth of moulds.
4. It would appear that the air let into the chamber contained the spores of fungi.
5. Opening the chamber at Wyndham to load meat into it. The Wyndham meat
should have been carried in a separate compartment, it having been previously observed
that meat carried in a "chilled" state should never have the chamber opened from the
time of loading until the time of unloading.
These defects will doubtless be remedied in future consignments.
The Alcock Electric Process of Defrosting Meat, mentioned in last report, was continued
experimentally in the Market, but was not favourably approved of by the trade, due chiefly
to burning of the meat at the place of entry of the electrodes.
The number of sheep carcases found affected with caseous lymphadenitis during the
year has considerably increased ; this has caused the Commonwealth inspection officer
and the trade a considerable amount of uneasiness. The matter has, with commendable
action, been taken up by the inspection staff in Australia, and instructions given that no
carcase of mutton which contains lesions of the disease is to be exported or glands cut out
of affected carcases. In addition, an investigation into the prevalence of the disease and
measures to prevent its spread has been ordered and is now proceeding.

New Zealand.—There is very little to remark on the supplies from this country except
that there has been an increase in the number of sheep carcases found affected with caseous
lymphadenitis.
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