PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1198, 5 August 1911, Page 8

PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION.

HOME REPRESENTATIVE'S INVESTIGATIONS, Tho Homo representative of tho -New Zealand Producers' Association (Mr. E. J. Shelton) writing to tho secretary of the association, from London, under date, June 21, makes the following suggestions. Crating of Uheese. 1 "Watching tho landiug , of a large quantity of cheeso at the docks, I saw a number of crates' broken as they wero coming, from the hold, and a still further quantity broken, while: being landed, also on being handled after landing. "I came t-o the conclusion that tho staves, of . which . somo were of inferior quality, being knotty and brittle, were not strong enough to carry tho weight without better support, homo of the crates were bound round with wire stapled on, which is better than nothing, but the wire, has no proper grip on the staves. "I would suggest that a narrow strip of soft band iron, about -Jin. to 3-Bin. wido should bo neatly nailed oil with one nail through each stave, top, centre, and bottom, which, will bind the whole together and strengthen the lot, and so redticc very much the number of broken cases and damago consequent from fame. "Staves, centres, and ends should nil be quality to avoid splitting and breaking. In some cases I saw fully two to three inches spare space in crates. The clieeso should be of uniform size, and the crates should bo of uniform size so that each will hold two exactly. This will make better stowage and less liability to damage. ' "If the centre-boards are fastened to tho staves with tho iron band round it will keep tho cheese better in position in the case, and the whole case becomes solid, and its contents less liable to damage. The, ends of the bands should bo ;iu the hollow between two staves to avoid their being torn away or catching against, anything. I have submitted this tirMr. John Lovcll,:of Messrs. Lovell and Christmas who approves of the suggestion made. Hoops ,on Tallow and Pelt Casks. "A good deal of damage to casks, and unnecessary hnndling is caused by the shrinkage-of the casks and the'consequent loosening of the hoops. This' can bo got over if the casks are always tightly coopered up at or shortly before shipment, when each hoop should be secured by three clout nails. This - will prevent hoops slipping towards tho small ends, and making one strong united cask will prevent broken staves.Kidney .and Meat Cases. ; - Tho more kidneys, .meat, and other cases or crates are finished and made proof against damage the better, and iron strappings as recommended previously for cheese is similarly desirable' with these cas-es. . ... _ "If all Now Zealand produce is landed in good order there will be less encouragement to men handling same to givo it other than best treatment." .~ .