PORK INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 518, 3 September 1902, Page 2

PORK INDUSTRY.

SECOND FACTORY TO BE STARTED.

! A largely attended meeting of farmers [ interested in tho pork industry was holt} , last evening at the Kia-Ora factory, for (ho ' purpose of meeting Messrs S. Bolton and t Anderson, representatives of the WoodI ville Bacon Company, and discussing the question of the establishment of a factory | in this district. Mr S. Bolton is Chairman of Directors o£ tho North Island Mild-curing Bacoq Company, whoso headquarters aro at Woodville, and Mr Andorson is Managing Director of the samo. Both gentlemen , have an expert knowledge of the business, ’ and their advent into this district is a matter for congratulation. At tho meeting last evening there was a 1 representative attondanco, Mr McGregor [ presiding. After tho objects of tho moot- . ing had been fully explained, Mr McGregor called upon Mr Bolton to address tho mooting. | Mr Bolton explained the lines upon * which the Woodville Company operated, going carefully into all matters in connection with the industry. 110 pointed out 1 the necessity of farmers paying attcntipi> to the matter of keeping only tho best quality of pigs. Coming to the question .. of the price the Company was prepared . to pay, Mr Bolton said that they would guarantee 3d per lb for live pigs, but the ruling market prico would alwayß be paid. Biqco tho Woodville Company, whiohfebnfined itself almost entirely to the -export trade, had been started, tho price paid fot pigs had advanced, and the average for las* season was 3Jd per lb, England and South Afriea wore the chief markets. Bel fore starting in Gisborne, the Company would require Borne sort of a guarantee that farmers would grow pigs. For the first year, the Company wero prepared to take every risk, but in the second year they asked that a certain number of pigs should be fully guaranteed. Mr Lolton quoted the following prices; which he said had been paid by the Woodville Factory during the past season for live pigs Under 110 lbs per lb, over 110 and 150 lbs 4d per lb, between 150 ana 1™ h " 31(1 oer lb, from 160 to 170 lbs 3:f<l per ib, between 170 and 180 iijs 3j,d per lb, porkers 33d per lb. If farmers preferred it l , the buyers would pay at Jhe stye at so much per head. • ;i- V, Mr Anderson also addressed the meeting, and both gentlemen expressed their willingness to answer any question? that might be put to them. A lengthy discussion followed, several speakers expressing themselves pleased with the liberal manner in which the directors of the Woodville Company had met them. A number of questions were also asked.

The necessary guarantee asked for was readily given, ami Mr Bolton stated that he would let the fanners known at an early date as to the decision of the Woodville Company. A vote of thanks to tho ChairmaD terminated the proceedings. In conversation with Mr Bolton last evening, a representative of the Times was

informed that the guarantee given by the farmers of the district was in every way satisfactory, and that there was every prospect of a factory being erected in tho most suitable locality at an early date; It was not expected that the venture

would prove profitable in the first year, but the company were prepared to do their best towards placing the industry on a sound footing. “We are satisfied from what we have seen that we shall have no trouble in getting a plentiful supply of pigs,” remarked Mr Boltou. “We already have the guarantee that wo asked for, and instead of having 3000 pigs in the second year we shall more likely have 6000. We do not come here in any wayin opposition to Mr Ly-snar. His trade is w to a great extent, a local one, whilst ours ie an export trade. There is plenty of room in the district for the two factories.”

Messrs Bolton and Anderson return to Woodville this evening. 8