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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 61

Canned Meat

Canned Meat.

In 1878 the export of canned meat reached the value of £356,280; but it gradually decreased, until, in 1881, it was £107,476. In 1882 it rose to £261,105. In 1884 it sank to £59,224. The falling-off is doubtless attributable to the growth in the export of frozen-meat trade; and for the future it may be considered that only what are termed "small goods" will be canned or potted. There is no cause for regret in this; for, if the carcase sheep is exported whole with a profitable result, and the smaller edible portions canned, the total profit will be the more satisfactory. There is also a very considerable quantity of canned meat used in the colony, of which I am unable to procure the returns; but on gold and coal-fields the consumption is very Considerable, while there is always a steady demand going on generally for well-canned tongues, sausages, brawn, pressed beef, mutton, &c. Of course the less waste of any portion of the animal the more profitable the result. In Chicago, it is said, no portion of the animal is lost. The blood is dried and made into a fertilizing agent, horns and hoofs are taken by glue and comb manufacturers, the hair is used for felt, plastering, and various other purposes, the bones are broken for bonedust, and so on. In New Zealand there is not yet this perfect utilization of the whole body, but in a very little while 'it may reasonably be expected to develop itself. The process of canned-meat-pre-serving is well understood in New Zealand, and some of the factories erected in Auckland, Wellington', Christchurch, Dun-edin, Oamaru, Napier, and other towns are very complete, comprising factories for the manufacture of the tins, printing labels, and soldering.