Report of thr Inspector of Food.^ for Export. 891 



outbreak of fire on the s.s. " Wakool/' were landed in Melbourne and 

 sold. This mutton fetched 2f d. to S^d. per lb., and at no other time 

 but at a period of scarcity would it have been possible to have realised 

 such prices for damaged carcases. 



In 1902-8 the number of lambs exported was 106,199, and the 

 average weight was about o2 lbs. In 1908-4 98,317 lambs were ex- 

 ported, the prime carcases averaging 34 lbs., seconds 32 lbs. In 1902-8 

 219,451 carcases of mutton were exported, the average weight being 

 42 lbs., and in 1903-4 65,640 carcases were exported, the average weight 

 being, prime 47 lbs., seconds 44 lbs. The prices realized in London 

 for lambs were — prime, 4fd.; seconds, 4id.; mutton — prime, 4d.; 

 seconds, 8|d. There was a decided drop in the prices compared with 

 1902-3. Prime lambs then fetched 5|d.; seconds, 5d.; prime mutton, 

 4^d.; seconds, 3^d, to 4d. A large quantity of our mutton in 

 1903-4 found its way to Mediterranean ports, where higher prices 

 were realized than in London. Victorian mutton and lambs com- 

 manded a higher price in London than the exports of New South 

 Wales and Argentine, but it was lower than the New Zealand prices, 

 for, in New Zealand, sheep husbandry is practised on different lines 

 to those obtaining in Victoria. There, fodder plants are grown to 

 fatten sheep, and sheep for export are raised on comparatively small 

 holdings, here sheep have to run over large tracts of country and 

 depend entirely on natural provisions. 



A uniform system of grading mutton and lamb for export should 

 be adopted by all shippers. The difference in weights of the various 

 grades causes endless confusion in London. Business would be 

 greatly facilitated if a uniform system of grading were adojited 

 throughout, and if the same grading marks were employed by all 

 exporters. Lambs should be graded as follows: — Under 32 lbs. 

 marked U, 82 to 42 lbs. marked A, 42 to 50 lbs. marked B, all over 

 50 lbs. should be marked Tegs. Mutton carcases should also be 

 graded. In my opinion this would facilitate sales in London and 

 save shippers' money, as there would be less handling. This is a 

 matter which should be seriously considered by shi})pers. The reports 

 last year from London concerning the condition of our mutton and 

 lamb were extremely favourable. 



The volume of the total meat export trade and its values to 



the 



Total .. .. 19,073j^V tons Value /588,128 



