COOL STORAGE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16225, 4 July 1918, Page 5

COOL STORAGE.

I ——• ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION AT | EYTTELTON. | HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSION. ! The engineer of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, at yesterday's meeting, reported on an application by the South Island Dairy Association for the provi- : sion of increased cold storage at Lyfc- j telton. Mr Williams reported as follows : — Tho secretary of the South Island Dairy Association asks whether tho Board will consider proposals for increasing its accommodation for butter and cheese to the following extent: Butter 6000 boxes additional, cheese 5000 crates additional, the cost to be paid half by the Dairy Association, and half by the Board, in the same way as that of the extension just completed. O'Jr present accommodation is: Butter 17,000 boxes, cheese 6500 crates. As far as can be estimated without the preparation of working drawings, tho additions asked for would cost at least £7000. I do not favour the proposal for the following reasons: (1) Tiie site of the stores does not lend itself to convenient extension, and tho inevitable extension at the western end of tho present building will partially obstruct the view for shunting on to. No. 7 jetty.; (2) the freezing power is only sufficient for our present rooms, with i such margin as is necessary for safety ! and economy, (3) the extension westward cannot be properly served with railway siding accommodation. With regard to the extension just completed, these difficulties did not apply, and the arrangement enabled us to duplicate our cooling plant on favourable terms, so that I reoommended its heing carried out. The chairman (Mr A. Kaye) said that, practically, it did not suit the Board to make the extension. They had absorbed all the convenient available ground, and they had only a certain amount of power with which they could comfortably overtake all the freezing they had to do at present. The engineer thought that if this additional accommodation were provided, it would be a white elephant after the war. The Hon. R. Moore .-regretted that the engineer had not sfeen his way to make a suggestion, as the matter was of importance, not only to Canterbury, but to the whole Dominion. He moved: "That the report be referred to the Harbour Improvement Committee for consideration, and report." Mr H. F. Nicoll seconded the motion. Mr J. J. Grahaip supported the engineer's report The storing of produce in cool stores meant that prices were increased to New Zealand consumers. They believed in the producers getting a fair price, but the consumers ought to reccive some consideration. Replying to Mr Nicoll, the engineer said the estimated cost did not include the cost of additional machinery. Mr Nicoll said that the subject was most important to the whole country, and he did not think the Board should turn it down. Unless storage ac?ommodation were provided, the producer was going to have his live stock greatly depreciated. The chairman said that there was no desire to burk the matter. The engineer said that, in view of Mr Nicoll's remarks. He would report generally on the subject. Mr G. S"ott said he thought the Board had done its duty in the matter. Mr Nicoll said he had not suggested* the building of a new store, or that new machinery should be got: he wished to have further information before they t'irned tho matter down. The motion was agreed to.