NORTHERN BOILING – DOWN ESTABLISHMENT.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1750, 29 September 1879, Page 3

NORTHERN BOILING - DOWN ESTABLISHMENT.

A meeting of persons interested in starting a boiling-down and fellmongering establishment was hold in the Amberley Town Sail on Saturday afternoon. There was a fair attendance. Among those present were Messrs Benn, Soarvell, Harper, Dalzell, King, Douglas, E. Ensor, Coleman, Turner, Long, Greenwood, Hadlor, Homersham, Partridge, Courage, Woodhouse, Stanton, Williams, and others.

Mr W. A. Benn opened the proceedings by stating he had sent circulars inviting persons to meet to consider the project of establishing a boiling-down concern in the centre of the district. It was Mr Soarvell’s idea that there was a splendid site available, and the meeting was convened to consider the advisability of putting the project before the public with a view of starting a company or inducing persons to take up the matter in any way that might be thought necessary. It had been suggested that a company might commence a small boiling-down establishment, and then go into the work of preserving and making soap and candles. Whether the proposed company started such a concern or not, he was informed that it was probable a boilingdown place would be opened in the district, as Mr O. Ensor, in reference to the note of invitation sent to him, stated he had been seriously considering the question himself of beginning a factory at Baloairn. Mr Ensor would be able to obtain information of a reliable nature from his brother, who was engaged in a factory at Mitford, The capital to be raised for purchase of plant and machinery would be about £IOOO. A site was under offer from Mr Scarvell which possessed exceptional advantages. The estimated cost of plant was—machinery and vats offered by Mr J. Anderson, Canterbury foundry, for boiling-down 200 sheep, £270; carriage and fittings for same, £SO j sheds, £80 ; waterworks, troughs for skins, and dip, £100; sweat house, £100; yards and piggeries, £SO; manager’s house, £200; sundries, £SO; making a total of about £9OO. He understood that the Board of Education would be prepared to sell for a small sum the buildings connected with the North Kowai school, which were within 200 yards from the proposed site. He pointed out that the statement which had been made that those companies did not pay was often traceable to defects in management, and not from any want of assistance or failure in the work beyond the the lack of economy and care in working. Ho pointed out that the company could start with 2000 sheep, and would have plenty of holding room on the site, as well as a fair sized run on the river bed, the right of pasturage on which Mr Scarvell was willing to transfer to the company. The company might fairly expect to be able to purchase its stock at a lower price than that paid in central market. It would also be possible to purchase such sheep from stations that out of mixed lots culls might be sold to a paying market. He hoped the meeting would discuss the question, and thought it would be best to form a committee to consider the whole question, which would bring up its report at a future meeting. Mr Douglas asked if Mr Ensor, who was present, could give any information on the management of a boiling-down factory. Mr Ensor replied he was not in a position to do so. He understood that his brother’s success at Mitford in that line was due to exceptional circumstances, in his being enabled to obtain his sheep at a time when they were cheap. Mr Greenwood enquired if the whole capital of £IOOO was expended on plant where the capital would come from to purchase the stock.

Mr Benn explained that with regard to th capital of £IOOO for the plant and building arrangements could be made, so that payment need not be made for four months, and this capital could be employed in the buying of stock. Bespecting the land, tbo committee might consider whether it would bo best to purchase five acres and rent fourteen acres or take over the whole of Mr Scarvell’s interest.

Mr Scarvell, at the request of the meeting, said it had occurred to him that the site he held was a good one for the purpose in question, but the cost of starting and conducting a company had not been considered by him. If he had the means he would have been prepared to give the scheme a trial. Mr Douglas asked if Mr Scarvell had gone into any figures as to the expenditure. Mr Scarvell said all he had thought of was selling his land. Mr Ensor adverted to disadvantages which he thought the company might labor under.

Mr Courage then suggested that it might be a good plan to ascertain the requirements of the farmers who had sheep to dispose of, and make the wants of the district known through the public press, with a view to inducing some experienced and enterprising person with capital to undertake the industry. Mr Benn thought it was really time those present decided on some motion. If the meeting did not decide on some line of action it was just possible that the opportunity would be given to start a boiling-down place at Balcairn. It was a matter of some concern to the Amberley public that when it lost the advantages of being the terminus of the railway, it should have some industry or other to support the place. Mr Harper said all would recognise the importance of these factories, but he was afraid that because many of the boiling-down companies had come to grief that was acting as a deterrent to any action on the part of those interested. There was not the slightest doubt hut the sheep farmers would have to realise on their flocks to a great extent from the pot, and if the scheme for floating the present company was only placed before them he saw no reason why a small local company should not be successful.

Mr Douglas moved “ That a committee of Messrs Benn, Scarvell, Ensor, Long, and Coleman be appointed to report on the advisability of starting a Northern Boiling-Down Company, and report to a public meeting to be held on Saturday afternoon, October 11th. Mr Greenwood seconded the motion, which was unanimously agreed to. The meeting then adjourned.