OPOTIKI AND FREEZING WORKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1036, 31 October 1903, Page 3

OPOTIKI AND FREEZING WORKS.

A meeting of farmers was recently held at OpotiKi to consider the sunject of freezing works. Mr Gordon explained that the meeting had been called to secure support lor tne projected Waiaato breezing Works. Mr Westney said the settlers on the coast were losing heavily eacn y:ar, and he quoted the charges for freight and punting and freezing, lie said that people in Canterbury, would had tne capital, if requued, nut it was thought advisable that the farmers .should take up the project on co-ope-rative lines., Mr Chapman said that they, ‘must also consider the quality, and supply of sheep,, and the cost of training -from Hamilton by settlers and the shipping from Opotiki. Mr Westney said the idea was held that the South Island had no- lurthcr land to open up for pastoral purposes, .white the .North had an unlimited quantity, but hardly seemed to realise her capabilities. Mr Carroll sard that such works .woul<L-give them control over the prices of their stock, because if reserves were placed on them, and not realised, the stock could be frozen, and sold when the prices improved,, Mr Westney, said he had stated to l\lr Bath that he thought tho idea in Opotiki was that there should be an improvement in the route to Gisborne, and that being the nearest, stock couicl be driven there.

Mr Carroli : I am of a similar opinion. If every, advantage is taken it would bring us within 25 miles from the farthest out to connect.

Mr Gordon, replying to a .question said that Mr Waymouth was in favor of dehorned cattle either by train or being driven, and for killing within 24 hours of landing, to prevent bruises extending through the flesh. Some discussion here took place, the consensus of opinion being that pruspcctuies should nave been sent, that a representative should, have visited tne district and placed tne matter more fully beiore the settlers, and that it should have been a more representative meeting to take the matter into consideration..

The opinion was expressed tnah fvhen iho back country was opened up a freezing works would be started at Ohiwa, and that this was not a ■great way ofW ;■ also that there! was 'a good thing to he done in bacon, ■and that should maize come down•'in price it .would be better to feed it to pigs. ; It was resolved to ask for prospectuses and further information, Mr Westney remarked that there wasi up, place in which 'diaihyi stock were at such a price as on this coast, and it had been pointed out •that they, were at a far better than on the West Coast.

Several shares were taken up, and general support promised should ithc conditions prove favorable^