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another at Tenterfield. What was killed there was sold in the local market. They expected to ship frozen meat largely from Sydney, and it was proposed to erect in the one building a freezing plant attached to the market at Darling Harbour. There would then be the market and a chillingroom on one floor, and under that a freezing-chamber. With regard to the distribution of the meat at Home, he had an idea that something might be done on a similar plan to that carried out in Sydney in the distribution of milk. An arrangement was made there by the milk distributing companies with the dairymen to supply milk for six months at a certain price. That was sent down by rail, and the Sydney companies had a large number of horses and carts to distribute the milk to the people in the city. On the same principle it had occurred to him that in connection with the different freezing-works in New Zealand, New South Wales, and Queensland it would be quite possible to supply large distributing companies in the cities in England with frozen mutton for six months during the year under contract at certain prices ; and he thought it would be an easy thing for these companies with cold-stores in the large cities to work on the same principle as was at present done with the distribution of milk in Sydney. By this means the producer and consumer would be brought much nearer to each other than they were now, and the middlemen would be got rid of. Mr. Beydonb did not think there was very much to reply to. With regard to what Sir John Hall had said, he (Mr. Brydone) had not depreciated merino mutton in any sense, and he would not do so, because for his own eating he preferred it to any other. He thought that the comparatively low estimate in which it was held was due to the condition in which it arrived in London, or the condition it showed when exposed for sale. He thought that hurt it on the London market, because it looked very dark as compared with the cross-bred. A fat sheep always showed best after thawing out; medium sheep were darker—being fleshy, the blood showed out darker. Pat being denser matter, the blood did not show. That was the explanation of the matter. He thought it was the appearance of the sheep, not the eating of it at all. Regarding what had been said as to not fearing the competition of South America, he supposed they were aware that the- South Americans, like those in New South Wales, were going in for cross-breeding extensively. They were importing large numbers of long-woolled sheep from England, with the intention of trying to breed a sheep more suitable for the London market than the merino had proved to be. Judging from some of the sheep he had seen at Home in company with Mr. Eoberts, there was no doubt that the South Americans were shipping Home some very good mutton. Mr. Eoberts had referred to winter feeding in the North Island : that was a question they had to look at in the South, and it was thought there that probably the North Island might be able to do the same as they did. in the South. He had no doubt that circumstances altered cases, and they might not have the same opportunities as southern breeders in the growing of turnips ; and probably they in the South might judge them hardly, and think those in the North were a little lazy in not exerting themselves sufficiently in the production of winter feed. In reference to the freights, he thought the shippers would have to try to get them made a little easier still. They must not rest on their oars, but keep at the shipping companies in order to get the freights as low as possible. Of course they could not expect the companies to work without getting a reasonable profit, but, all the same, he believed from what he had heard that steamers that went to Australian ports had to wait a considerable time for a cargo, and take it under difficulties which they had not to encounter in New Zealand. There was one steamer over there at the present time which had been away, he thought, six weeks —namely, the " Euahine " —and which was not here yet. He believed she had had to wait a considerable number of days at some of the Queensland ports to get a cargo. He fancied that if the shipping companies could do the Australian trade for if d. they could do it in New Zealand on the same terms. That was a matter to be fought out in the future between the shippers and the shipping'companies. He did not care about giving an opinion as to the merits of any particular freezing machinery, because every one of the makers considered his the best, and probably it would be out of place for him, not being a mechanic, to say which machine he considered the best. His company knew which was the best machine for them, and if they were called upon to replace their present machinery they would go back to the old maker. Mr. Gordon had said that New Zealand need not fear Queensland competition in the mutton-market. He might say he was pleased to hear that. Mr. Lawry had referred to the sale of Argentine mutton as New Zealand mutton. He (Mr. Brydone) thought it would be difficult to rid the world of rogues ; they were to be found everywhere. If they were to have inspection and supervision in London the same thing would no doubt go on. He had no doubt that something would be done to put matters on a better footing than they were at present. With regard to frozen beef, he had not referred to it, because there were gentlemen present who had had better experience than they had had in New Zealand, and he had left it to them to take the matter up and give the Conference whatever information they might be in possession of. Mr. Boag wished to contribute his quota of admiration to that already expressed with reference to the paper they had heard read. It had afforded him very much pleasure. He thought every one present would get great benefit from the ideas of a gentleman who had had such long experience and practical knowledge of the business as Mr. Brydone. It was quite evident that he and his employers were the first to introduce the exportation of frozen mutton; and without a beginning there could be no end. It had now become a great industry, which had been a boon to the country. He had very much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. Brydone for the trouble he had taken in the preparation of his paper. Mr. Tabaet (Tasmania) seconded the motion. He had been rather astounded by the figures which had been produced. He had had no conception that the frozen-meat industry in New Zealand had assumed such vast dimensions. In Tasmania they were in the unfortunate position that they could not feed themselves, and he therefore did not think they were likely to enter into competition with New Zealand,