Growth and Development of the Trade in Frozen Mutton. 223 
Yet, although other works were also utilised, no little dislocation 
of trade was occasioned, and values all round were affected. To 
show how the markets sufier by even a temporary check to 
frozen business, when once it has been established, I quote the 
report of Messrs. Matson & Co., who show how on the above- 
mentioned day they sold at Lyttelton — 
" On account of Mr. J. Dixon, cross-bred wethers at IO5. 2d. ; account 
Mr. Mason, cross-bred wetbers at 9s. Qd., merino wethers at 5s. \\d. ; 
account Mr. W. F. Somerville, 183 cross-bred ewes at 6s. Qd. to 7s. Ad., 
three pens lighter sheep at 5s. Qd. The best mutton barely touched \^d. 
f)er pound at any part of the sale, good wethers selling' at an average of a 
ittle over \\d.; ewes and inferior quality generally about \\d. In fat 
Iambs there was another crowded market, the quality generally being good. 
For freezing purposes there were less bought than last week ; in fact, there 
was so little done in this direction that its eifect was scarcely felt. Unable 
as the local buyers were to absorb the heavy entry, the sale was weak, 
irregular, and marked by a very dull trade, various lines being withdrawn, 
while the day's prices showed a further drop all round. Lambs, which 
three weeks since would have sold at about 8s. Qd., sold yesterday at 7s. to 
7s. 6<^., and so pro rata through the dilferent grades of quality. To have 
a correct idea of the effect which the export trade has upon our local values 
here, one has only to turn to the different market quotations, i.e. at the 
time when the Belfast Works were in full swing, and buyers came regu- 
larly into our weekly sales to meet their requirements for this source, and 
the present, when there is virtually no such demand, on account of the 
collapse by fire of the factory above referred to. Between the rates as rul- 
ing in the early part of December and now there is at least a dift'erence of 
2s. Qd. per head in fat sheep, and a less proportionate amount on lambs, 
inasmuch as the few engagements still existing on the part of shippers have 
been pretty well fiUed by lauibs." 
The market level is, therefore, patently affected by the with- 
drawal of the demand for freezing for transport to England by 
quite half-a-crown a sheep ; and this, on a set of values averaging 
below 10s. a head, is clearly a matter of great importance to the 
growers. Yet another report from the same quarter says : — 
"There were no buyers for export worth mentioning, consequently 
freezers suffered more than fair quality butchers' sorts, the latter being 
more easy to quit than last week. Prime lambs sold at from 7s. Qd. to 8s. Qd., 
medium 5s. Qd. to 7s., inferior 4s. 10c?. Several lines of good quality 
wethers were yarded, but these met with even less inquiry than fat ewes, 
there being absolutely no demand whatever for exports. We expect values 
to still further recede. Mutton sold at from \\d. to barely l\d. per pound." 
And yet another, pointing to the absence of the previously 
existing demand for lambs, says : — 
" The lambs offered were principally heavy-weights, and very good 
quality. Several excellent freezing lines being yarded, unfortunately the 
demand for freezing was nil, and the butchers were unable to cope with the 
large numbers sent forward. Prices, consequently, receded, and a large 
number were withdrawn from sale owing to prices not reaching vendor's 
expectations." 
