FREEZING INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1971, 30 January 1914, Page 4

FREEZING INDUSTRY.

GREAT GROWTH OF BUSINESS. ~ (By Teliffraph—Special CorrMuondent.? ; • Auokland, January 29. So great an impetus has been giver, to ,the freezing industry by the expanding exports of butter and frozen meat that tho Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company. lias decided to erect a new building and additional plant on a site adjoining tho one whioh it at present occupies near the Kink's Wharf. The total cost is estimated at £4:0,000. Tho total quantity on butter exported to date this season from Auckland is _312,3^ 4 boxes, of ah approximate value of £780,922, as compared with 277,903 boxes, worth about £699,746 for tho corresponding period '-of last season. This shows an_ increase for tho present season of 34,471 boxes, equivalent to a valuo-of £81,177. Tho total meat killed to date this season is 2Jfit ,7301b valued at £32,000, as against 997,8011b' for the sanio period "of last Reason—an increase of 1,193,7691b., «• about £17,000 in: value. Every class of meat has snared iirthis substantial increase. In anticipation of the increases which havo materialised, the Auckland Farmers Freezing • Company took steps to increase tho capacity of its South, down works by 60 per cent., out, owing to the late delivery of tho new freezing machinery (on account 01 tho strike), the extra freezing and storage accommodation there has not yet been'brought into use, and thp company has not been able to deal with anything like tho'amount of stock offered. Therefore, although the increases in the shipments of meat havo been so largo, they would havo been larger still but for this unforseen delay.' It is now hoped, however, to have'the plant running -at Southdown in about ton-days' time,' and so to cope with all stock coming forward.- -Tho promising outlook for a continuance of the increase in tho exports of butter and, frozen meat has been taken into consideration by the company, with the result, that the'directors havo (ns.stated) decided to practically double their buildings and plant at tho Auckland (King's Wharf) works, so as to ntako this establishment capable of dealing with tho ft hole of the butter exports of the province from next season onwards. The alterations and additions will ho nut in liand short, ly, and will be comploted, it is anticipated, by November next, in-time for the new season's butter. This will loavo the company's Southdown Works free to deal with nothing but stock. The new building will he erected on air allotment 70ft. by 220 ft., adjoining the • present building.