The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 17. 1909. CHINESE MEAT TRADE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2582, 17 August 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, AUGUST 17. 1909. CHINESE MEAT TRADE.

We have been so long accustomed to look upon China as a vast territory that would in the near future provide an almost unlimited market for our wool and frozen meat that it comes with a shock to discover that the many-s.ded Oriental is actually competing with us —if only in an experimental way—in our endeavor to supply the London market with food products. We have had the impression that extreme poverty coupled with a restricted palate had kept tho millions of China to a diet of rice and that increasing wealth and closer association with the Western peoples and their ideals would bring in its train a demand for mutton, lamb, and beef with consequent benefit to such exporting countries as Australia and New Zealand. This idea has been rather seriously disturbed by the recent announcement that a cargo, comprising pigs, beef, poultry, deer, eggs, and game —all frozen—has been landed in London apaprently in good order and condition. This consignment, we are likewise given to understand, marks the beginning of a “new Chinese experiment.” To most of us it will probably come as an astonishing revelation that China has any supplies of these toothsome meats that shippers could operate upon; but this is only because most of us do not know much about our China. As a matter of fact, there is more beef in Northern China than there is in Australia, and there are more pigs probably than even all the Unted States, which counts its hogs by the score of millions. But numerous as are pigs, they are merely a passing circumstance to ducks, both tamo and wild, not to speak of other species of poultry and game. The Chinaman likes very well to dine off duck, but it must be of tho domesticated variety. Wild duck he leaves to the foreign resident, who pronounces .it very good. It was indeed the delectable quality of the Chinese wild waterfowl which suggested to some European merchants in Shanghai that there might be possibilities in an export trade, in game alone. Some .trial shipments in a small way gave such promise of success that a combination was formed to undertake the business on a large scale, and chilling and freezing works were only completed in Shanghai and Hankow a month or two ago. Evidently the original idea of dealing with game only has since broadened out considerably, and other descriptions of meats are being dealt with. The chief point of interest to such exporting countries as New Zealand is not the fact that China is prepared to supply frozen produce to London, hut at what price she can land those products.

Time was when wild ducks were purchasable in North China at tho modest price of one penny per pair; and although prices rose under the influence of the demand which came with an increased foreign population, it was possible up to a month ago to buy at fourpence to sixpence per pair; but, no doubt, a company contracting for large numbers could do business at a concession on those rates. Now, buying at this rate it would certainly seem that shippers should be in a position to set down in European markets a very palatable kind of game at prices which would mako any similar description of imported produce look absurdly dear. And, although domestic poultry is not procurable in China so cheaply as the native game, still it is not half the price it is, say, with us. With all kinds of poultry in such bewildering plenty it is easy to understand how it comes that China is the greatest eggproducing country in the world. Previously the huge surplus has been utilised more for industrial purposes than for food. For years Japan has bought them by the ton for use in the manufacture of celluloid. But if they are now 'to be sent in cold chambers to Europe — well, Europe can reckon on having plenty of eggs at a price which even the poorest may regard with satisfaction. Much the same could bo said of pork, which could he landed in London at ever so much below wliat American or Australian pork could be quoted at. If, therefore, China can keep up large shipments of even fair quality meats, it is unquestionable that other exporting countries will feel the competition. It remains' to he seen, however, whether the Chinese article commends itself to the palate of Europe in the first place, and then whether large shipments can be kept up. One effect of a large export trade would be to raise prices, and this would modify the competitive possibilities of the business. No doubt, too, the Chinaman, just like the Russian, will want to keep more of the good things for his own consumption, as the general standard of well-being rises, as it unmistakeably is doing now in the coastal provinces of China.

Mr. M. Hofen, Stout Street, offers a reward’, for tlie return of .two 4ost cart horses. Mr. J. Peach, at present with Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. lias been, appointed secretary to Messrs Adair Brothers, Ltd. Owing to the Hon. J. Carroll’s meeting to-night, the Y.M.C.A. Literary and Debating Society's meeting has been cancelled. The lantern lecture will be given on August 31st instead of to-night. Next Tuesday evening will be devoted to impromptu speeches^ To-night will'be the last night of the present programme of Pathe Pictures. The company appear at Waerenga-a-liika to-morrow, at Ormond on Thursday, at Te Karaka on Friday, and return to Gisborne on Saturday, when a complete change of programme will bo given.

The bachelors of Ivlotu, Rakauroa, and Whakarau have issued invitations for a plain and fancy dress ball in the P.K. and H. Company’s wooished on Friday evening, September 3rd. Great preparations are being made for the ball, which is being looked forward to by the residents of the district with pleasurable expectations. The ladies of the Holy Trinity Sewing Guild entertained the Rev. E. H and Mrs. Wyatt at afternoon tea in Holy Trinity Schoolroom yesterday af ternoon. All present wished Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt health and prosperity in the future, and extended to them a warm welcome should they again visit Gisborne. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt leave for their home at North Shore, Auckland, to-morrow morning. In connection with the guard of honor which has been arranged in connection with: the complimentary social to be tendered to the Acting-Premier at the Garrison Hall to-night, a correspondent wrote in yesterday’s issue stating that this was not allowable. It has been pointed out, however, that under the King’s Regulations the custom is expressly permitted. At a school committee meeting at Dannevirke, the Rev. E. Robertshawe, in discussing the cost of improvements made to the school during the year, expressed the opinion that the time was not far distant when the high schools of tho Dominion would have to pay their own way. He said the Dominion’s education bill was enormous at present, and this course would be the only way of relieving it. The quarterly sitting of the Gisborne Licensing Committee will be held on Friday, September 3, when the following applications will be dealt with : —■ Acommodation license (new application for old house), James Murphy Thomas, •Marumaru hotel; publicans’ licenses, renewals, Peter Crarer, Ferry Hotel, Leonard Storey, Clyde Hotel; transfers, Almon Clement (Waerenga-a-hika Hotel) to Alfred Sharp; James Bruce Hollier (Bridge Hotel) to Michael Ready. Lieut.-Colonel Knight, the Provincial Commander of the Salvation Army in the North Island, with the Provincial Secretary, Staff-Captain Orams, is about to pay a visit to Gisborne, and will hold a series of meetings, commencing on Saturday, August 21st. On Monday, 23rd inst., a coffee supper is to be. held, together with a lecture given by Lieut.-Colonel Knight on “Seventeen Thousand Miles on Sea and Land in the Dutch East Indies.” Admission to the coffee supper and lecture is fixed at a sum of one shilling.

Some idea of the increased rates in connection with accident insurance necessitated by the passing of tho Amended Workers’ Compensation for Accidents Act, 1908, was given at- the meeting of the Lyttelton Harbor Board last week. It was stated that the Board’s agreement and policy with a certain company expired at the end of the present month, the rates being 10 per cent, for manual laborers and Is per cent, for clerical workers. The new rates, owing to the increased liability under the Act abovementioned, are 27s 6d per cent, for ordinary manual laborers, 66s per cent, for quarry workers, and 3s 6d per cent for clerical workers.

There was a large audience in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, when the Path© Pictures were again shown. The magnificnex- sunset and sunrise views on the Mediterranean Sea shown brought forth rounds of applause, while the humorous films convulsed the audience with laughter. A new humorous film, entitled “Hiding a Burglar,” was shown for the first time, and greatly delighted the juveniles present. The same programme will he shown again this evening. To-morrow night the pictures will be shown at Waerenga-a-nika, on Thursday night at Ormond, and on Friday night at Te Karaka. On Saturday night an entirely new programme of films will be shown in His Majesty’s Theatre.

A destructive fire occurred about 3 o’clock yesterday morning, at Patutahi, when Mr. E. W. Thomas’ store and tliree-roomed dwelling were destroyed. Mr. Thomas was awakened by the smoke, and discovered the 'kitchen all ablaze. After the family had been safely removed, the fire was seen to bo beyond control, and quickly spread to the store. Mr. Thomas retired about 11 o’clock on Sunday night after having supper. It is thought that the fire originated from a defective stove. The dwelling was insured in the State office for £llO, and the shop and contents for £350, and furniture for £IOO in the Commercial Union. The fire is a particularly unfortunate one for Mr. Thomas, as he had onlv started business a few months ago.

The Bank of New South AVales, in Sydney, has made an offer to induce the whole of its staff to participate in some form .of military service, with a view to performing their part in tho defence of Australia. It is on a par with the action of several London merchants who desired to encourage their employees to join tho Territorials, and is very similar to that of the Ogilvie Flour Mills, of Winnipeg, Canada. In the present case, however, there is no means by which the five hundred men can be taken on the strength of the local forces. All the chief militia regiments are up to full strength, and no new regiments can bo raised without provision being made on tho Estimates. It is probable, therefore, that the bankers will form a rifle club.

Captain Hugo, Government inspector of Fire Brigades, inspected the Gisborne Brigade at the fire station last evening. There was a large muster ,of men and officers) under Superintendent J. Townley. Captain Hugo delivered an address to the men,'and dealt with the discipline' of fire brigades, methods of fire fighting, and the many lessons to be learned from a fire. He also dealt with the architectural construction of buildings and the question of how to erect shops and dwellings te afford protection from ai spreading fire. Inspector Hugo witnessed a trial of the salt water mains at about half-past eight o’clock, and inspected the various appliances at the fire station. _ In all probability the Fire Board will meet today to confer with Inspector Hugo on the utility of the fire fighting appliances in use at present, and as to ; What new apparatus is desirable. A

The weekly parade of the Cisborne Defence Gadpto will be held on I nday, instead of to-night.

Mr M. Griffen, who beat Sexton m the mile footrace at Makaun oil Thursday last, yesterday told a Times reporter that tho stake for the race was £824, each man. finding £412. Captain Gumming, with a number of representatives of the various stopping companies, went out to the iuaiin light yesterday and turned on tn acetylene gas, so that the hght w burn throughout the night. The light became an official guiding beacon from last night. The annual meeting of the Gisborne branch of the Home Missionary Society Ls to be held at the Wesleyan Church to-night, when the Rev. T. G. Brook, who was recently appointed orgamsn g secretary for tire Dominion, will attend and explain many matters m connection with the work.

A performance in connection with the Young Men’s Catholic Club will bo held in His Majesty's Theatre on Thursday evening, when a breach or promise case will he given. ihe names of the performers and other particulars are given in an advertisement in this issue.

The postponed Arbor Day celeorations of tho Kaiti School will be held, on Thursday week, the 26th inst. It was found to be impossible to do the planting next Thursday owing to the Hunt Club’s races being held on that day, which would have materially affected the attendance of adults.

The three retiring directors of the Gisborne Co-operative Building Society, Messrs W. Morgan, H. J. Reed, and H. Miller, were re-nominated for the vacancies on the Board of directors, and an election will therefore not be necessary. The annual of the Society has been fixed for September fth.

A large number of Australian shearers arc in the habit of booking stands through the Canterbury Sheepfarmers Labor Exchange (says a Southern exchange), but in view of the number of men unemployed in the Dominion at present, the secretary has been instructed to give preference, as far as possible, to New Zealand shearers when filling stands for next season.

A little girl, six years of age, named Rose Smith, had a terrible experience at Huntly one day last week (writes the “New Zealand Herald” correspondent). As she was proceeding homeward from school by herself, she was attacked by a ferocious cow that had managed to escape from a paddock. She was knocked down and severely mauled about, and had her face somewhat damaged, as well as being bruised about the body. The child was, when seen, in such a dazed condition that she could give no details, though her torn clothes gave a good idea of the rough treatment she had received.

A pathetic story was told the other day in connection with the inmates of an Old People’s Home in Wellington. Some ladies collected feathers and artificial flowers, scraps of silk and lace, and sent them all to the home. The old ladies in the home made out of them bonnets for themselves, of which they were justly proud. But then the point arose—now that they had the pretty bonnets, how were they to show them off? The difficulty was solved, and all the old ladies were taken one day to a cinematograph entertainment in all the glory of their smart new bonnets. )n their -return they were asked how they enjoyed the entertainment. Their reply was" amusing in the etxreme : “Oh we enjoyed it so much, but what a pity it was so dark in the hall! Nobody saw the bonnets!”

Apropos of the purchase of a Remuera property by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, for the sum of £12,000, we understand, says the “New Zealand Herald,’’ that the Order of French nuns in question takes possession on January 10 next. In the meantime plans are being prepared for the extension of the property to suit the purposes of the new convent. The order is a very wealthy one, despite the fact rhat the whole of its house and landed poperty was confiscated by the State :n France, the members being, in many instances, daughters of some of the richest families in Europe. The funds aro the ladies’ own private property, or “dowries.” This money, diverted frem France, is being distributed over various portions of the globe, as the sisterhood sets up new homes. A large portion of it, estimated to run into close upon £IOO,OOO, seems likely to find its way into New Zealand. Already there are convent high schools belonging to the Order at Wellington and Timaru, and though the Auckland establishment may be the last for some time, doubtless in the future there will bo similar institutions started in other centres.