The Supply of Meat to Large Toions. 445 



The actual consumption in Paris, therefore, in 1864, was, 

 in round numbers, 132,000 tons; but in 1865 it increased to 

 134,000 tons, and of these supplies only one-fifth came up as 

 meat from the provinces. 



It would be very difficult to ascertain the exact consumption of 

 meat in London, both from the want of similar statistics to refer 

 to, and because a portion of the stock disposed of in the metro- 

 politan cattle-market is purchased by country butchers, who, 

 moreover, frequently buy large quantities of dead meat in New- 

 gate and Leadenhall. The charge in the Paris abattoirs for 

 slaughtering stock is 2 francs per 100 kilogrammes, equal to 

 166-. per ton English weight. In addition to the above sum, there 

 are levied octroi duties upon live stock entering Paris, as Avell as 

 upon all meat delivered from the abattoirs. Those duties are : 

 oxen and bulls from the departments, 53 francs ; cows, 35 francs ; 

 calves, 11 francs; sheep and goats, 4 francs; and pigs, 14 francs 

 per head. Entrance into the city is 10 francs 55 centimes per 

 head ; whilst the sum levied in the abattoirs, exclusive, of course, 

 of slaughtering, is 8 francs 85 centimes per 100 kilogrammes, 

 besides the decime, or one-tenth, in addition — charges such as 

 would never be tolerated in this country. 



During the last three years meat has risen seriously in price 

 throughout France, and much higher rates are anticipated, as the 

 production of live animals does not keep pace with the demand, 

 to meet which, additional markets and slaughter-houses are 

 nearly completed within the barriers. The quantity of country- 

 killed meat disposed of in Paris is, as will be seen, small com- 

 pared with the total consumption. Such, indeed, is the case 

 in London, and no legislative or other interference could possibly 

 change the present system. Those who imagine that it would 

 be an easy thing to work a beneficial change, forget that meat is 

 a perishable article and very expensive to move. Moreover it 

 should be remembered that the consumers in London would, 

 in the event of the live-stock market being abolished, be com- 

 pelled to pay much higher prices for meat to cover the expenses 

 of carnage, &c., and that we must have competition in the trade, 

 or we should have a great amount of dissatisfaction amongst the 

 great consuming classes. 



4, Argyle Square, St. Pancras. 



