i9i i.] The Provision Trade in June. 



357 



cheap, and realised considerably less than frozen. Average Smithfield 

 prices for the month were 3fd. to 4<2. per lb. for hindquarters, and 

 2\&. to 2\&. for forequarters. 



Frozen Beef. — The trade was quiet but steady, and prices a fraction 

 lower than in May. The averages were 3^. to 3§d. for hinds, and 

 2\d. to 2|d. for fores. 



Carcass Mutton — Fresh-Killed. — Very little change took place in the 

 value of British mutton. Scotch was fairly supplied, and varied during 

 the month to the extent of %d. per lb., but the averages were much 

 the same as in May, viz., y\d. and yd. per lb. for first and second 

 quality. English tegs made 6d. to 6\d. per lb. Dutch mutton began 

 to arrive, and made almost exactly the same price as the English on 

 offer. 



Frozen Mutton. — The advance which took place at the end of May 

 was fully maintained, and trade was very firm all the month. The 

 best New Zealand averaged fully ^d. per lb., and Argentine and Aus- 

 tralian about \d. less. 



Carcass Lamb. — There have been large supplies at the Central 

 Market, and many complaints were heard of the difficulty in clearing 

 the market of British lamb. New Zealand Canterbury lamb has estab- 

 lished a firm hold, and at a far lower price competes very strongly 

 with home produce. The latter averaged about J%d., &%d., and gd. 

 for the three qualities, New Zealand best generally fetching about $d. 

 to 5^d. per lb. 



Veal. — The demand for veal was disappointing, aar many expected 

 a good trade for the Coronation. Prices were considerably lower than 

 in May, and the Smithfield average was only 6%d. to y\d. per lb., 

 Dutch realising about the same. There were many English calves on 

 offer that were evidently slaughtered at a very few days old, and these 

 sold at nominal prices. 



Pork. — Supplies were .naturally very small, but ample for the time 

 of year, and 6d. per lb. was the top price for English, Dutch making 

 about 5|d. and per lb. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN JUNE. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The improved demand reported in May continued during 

 most of the month of June, and just prior to the Coronation festivities 

 all descriptions of hams experienced a further smart advance, the con- 

 tinued fine weather increasing the demand for that description of 

 cured meat. 



Arrivals from most countries showed an increase over the same 

 period of last year, but there was not any accumulation of stock until 

 the end of the month, when heavier stocks were reported from Liver- 

 pool, Manchester, and Hull, brought about by the labour difficulties at 

 those ports. The arrivals from Russia were smaller, as the low prices 

 prevailing for this description during May caused heavy losses to the 

 curers, and, in consequence, they reduced their killings. American meats 

 fluctuated considerably during the month, the tendency being towards 

 higher prices. Their home trade is reported to be good, and, the stocks 



