Nelson Brothers' frozen meat report, dated London, January 24th, says of New Zealand mutton : — " At the close of the year a sudden demand Bprang up, which enabled importers to raise values for the best qualities nearly id per lb, which riße has been since main tained, and an improvement has also been es tablished m the lower grades of quality. Stocks being small, the supplies on offer have been regulated to the demand, and the market closes firm at 4Jd for prime picked sheep, and 4fd for ordinary. A good many New Zea land, lately oo offer, have been of very poor quality, m fact, not much better than ordinary Plate sheep. It is to be re gretted that such qualities are sent forward." It would be interesting to know — Nelson Bros, should have stated - from what port or ports the poor quality mutton waß Bent. Perhaps it was from their own works. 'I he report states that "Plate sheep have been offered m larger quantities and to push Bales 3Jd per lb has been accepted. The principal trade for this class of mutton is m the north of England." "In glancing at the trade for the past twelve months, tie results seem to have been generally of a satisfactory character. The import* show a steady increase, and not withstanding that increase, the average value of New Zealand mutton has ruled nearly one half-penny per pound above last year's level. This may m some measure be accounted for by the improved trade of the country, and also to the better distribution of the meat direct to the provinces. " New Zealand Beef has steadily made its way with the consuming public, but no doubt its sale would be largely increased if some satisfactory method could be discovered for thawing the meat without leaving it m that flabby, soft state which at present cannot be obviated. A table of imports of meat during 18"8 and 1889, shows a great increase m several lines. N6w Zealand increased her supply of mutton from 498,628 to 670,478 cwts (the latter 1,080,564 carcases) an increase of over 70,000 cwts ; the Plate from 353,432 cwtß to 394,978, an increase of 40,000. The total importß were 989,085 cwtß m 1888 and 1,287,662 cwts m 1890. 