EXPORT OF FROZEN MEAT.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2407, 22 December 1881, Page 3

EXPORT OF FROZEN MEAT.

The adjourned meeting of those favorable to the establishment of a company for the export of frozen meat was held et II a.m. on Wednesday at the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. There wee not a very large attendance. Mr John Grigg occupied the chair. The Secretary read a letter of apology for non-attendance’ from Mr B. Wilkin, stating that he would be willing to ect as a provisional director, end further I ho interests of tho proposed company by eve;y means in hie power. Letters were abo read from Messrs Hoag, H. J. Mathias, and G. Gould, stating that they could not, owing to pi-cse of work, consent to act as provic-icm.l directore, but saying that they wish d the company success. Telegrams were abo retd from the Hons. John Hall and W. Kobo-ton, stating that they considered it inexpedient for Ministers to take an active part m tho company, though its proposed operations had their hearty sympathy. Tho report of tho committee, which bos already been published, wor, fnhe-i db reed. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Hr Westerns, the report was ad. pled. The draft prospectus of tho company, which it is proposed to call “ Too Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dairy I’rcduro Export Company,” was read as follows : The company is projected with [tho cf providing the means of preparing and rendering fit for export the surplus stock and dairy products of this district by tho refrigerating or other process. The present intention of the promoters is to restrict the company’s operations to the preparation of meat and dairy produce for shipment on owner’s account, and to arrange for the sale thereof in the London market. It is intended that tho company shall have power either to purchase or ship on owner's account, as may be found desirable ; and also, that they < h-all control tho sale as well as the freezing and expert of the produce, until tho scheme is fully in operation.

it being evident that a concentration of interests is necessary in placing shipments on the markets. The preparation and storage of cheese and butter for export will become one of the most important operations of the company, and ns the market in England for these products is practically ■unlimited, at prices showing 50 per cent, advance on cheese and 100 per cent, on butter over those cnrrent in this colony, an extensive export may bn confidently anticipated. The promoters, recognising this all important feature in the project, propose to provide cool storage for butter, choose, &0., where such may be collected from farmers as produced, and accumulated until a vessel is ready to receive it. After careful inquiry, it is estimated that the amount of capital to be called np (£10,000) will be sufficient to acquire suitable premises, erect the necessary buildings, provide all requisite machinery, and meet the preliminary expenses. The English insurance companies offer to cover shipments against all risks, including deterioration on board ship from any cause, for 5 per cent premium, the promoters are assured that the London and St. Katherine Docks Company have already arranged to fit up vaults with proper appliances for cool storage, specially to meet the requirements of the frozen meat and provision trade. The promoters have sufficient evidence before them to prove that the proposed businecß could be carried on at once with a reasonable certainty of substantial profits on any purchases of stock at current rates. They will therefore confidently rely on those who are directly or indirectly interested in developing tho grazing industry of the country, to assist them in carrying out that which, if properly managed, cannot fail to prove a very profitable undertaking. Tho Chairman said that since the prospectus had been drawn up the colonial insurance companies in London had held a meeting, and determined to cover shipments against all risks for 5 per cent. Mr John Cooke moved—“ That the draft prospectus as read be adopted, with the addition of tho information just afforded by_ the chairman regarding the insurance companies,” He thought there would be no difficulty in the valuation of damage the same as with respect to wool or any other perishable product. In reply to Mr Westenra, The Chairman said he understood that tho companies spoken of were the companies doing business in the colonics.

Mr Dixon suggested that they should adjourn the meeting till a later hour, as the sales ut the Addington yards prevented many being present. Tho Chairman said he took the thin attendance that day as rather a compliment, because it showed the public had confidence that those having the work in hand would carry it through to a successful issue. [Hear, hear.] Hon. E. Richardson seconded the motion, which was carried.

The provisional directors were authorised to add to their number, and also to advertise the prospectus. Mr Ohrystall would like to ask the chairman what provision was likely to be made for the shipment of the meat, &c.

The Chairman said that the committee bad no further information beyond what appeared in the report that two ships had been fitted up. But while this was so, he desired to call the attention of the meeting to the fact that the shipping companies had already, without any request from a company like the one now projected, fitted up their vessels with refrigerating apparatus. This augured well for the supply of shipping facilities in the future, because they would then have a company formed with a view to ship moat, &o. As regarded the amount of shipping required the quantity capable of being turned out in one season when the company was in full work would only fill four ships. They were following the lead of several other companies who had found no difficulty in procuring shipping. For instance, the Orange company, which was turning out a very large amount, far more than the present proposed company expected to do, found no difficulty whatever in obtaining ships. They in New Zealand had all the advantage of a fine climate and excellence of stock. The shipping companies would, he thought, as a matter of selfinterest, be prepared to go with the company in affording them facilities. The only fear that he had was that the freezing on board the ships would perhaps not be so successful. Ho did not think they need trouble themselves as to not being able to obtain shipping facilities.

Mr Ohrystall thought that the point was this, that the companies might, unless they were communicated with, go in for freezing themselves, and thus act in opposition to the company. The Chairman said that of course the first thing the provisional directors would do would bo to communicate with the shipping companies as to the shipping facilities likely to be offered. The Hon. Mr Richardson said that what the shipping companies wore doing was to ascertain the feasibility of sailing vessels carrying frozen meat to England. _ He thought there was not tho slightest probability of the shipping companies opposing the proposed company in tho freezing of meat, Mr Oooko thought that there need be no fear as to facilities being afforded them for shipping the fr- zsn meat. Once the meat was frozen it could be carried quite as easily as wool, &3. Mr Dixon thought it would be far better if the sheep could be slaughtered near to their own pastures, thus saying tho driving and consequent heating of the moat. Had the committee thought of selecting any place, say the Heathoote Valley, where the sheep, after being slaughtered near their own pastures, might be allowed to cool.

The Chairman said that it was found to be impracticable to slaughter sheep at their own pastures. The next best thing they could do would ba to have a paddock accessible from the North and South by railway, so as to recover from the effects of driving. Mr Cooke desired to point out that the meat was not frozen immediately after killing. In Australia it went into a cooling chamber before being frozen. Mr Chryatull desired to ask whether the offer of the insurance companies as to risk covered butter and cheese.

The Chairman said that they had no information on the subject beyond what he had stated. But of course the risk on butter and cheese when frozen would not bo nearly so great as on moat. He should say if tho premium on meat was fixed at 5 per cent., that on butter and cheese should not exceed 5 per cent. Mr Ouster suggested that sheep might be slaughtered on their pastures in the evening say, and then sent by the morning train to tho freezing works.

The Chairman said that this could not be done, because they might have sheep sent in to the works in a doubtful condition, and the directors could not exercise that supervision over it which should be done. They must only freeze meat of good quality, eo as to keep up the qualify of Kew Zealand moat in the London market. [Hear, hear.J They could not afford for the benefit of individuals to allow the company to be made use of to the detriment, of the name of the New Z aland meat. [Hear, hoar.] Ho should desire to see the meat graded, as the grain in the American market, so that each carcase should bear a stamp of quality which could be relied upon in the market at home. If he took part in the company as a director ha should advocate that the company should not take any moat, cheese or butter except of the finest quality. They must not lend themselves to the shipment of any produce below a certain grade. Mr Coster said that he intended that the directors should hare full control over the slaughtering of sheep on their own pastures, which could be done by a person in the employ of the company. Mr Cooks said that on objection to Mr Coster’s proposal was that there was no control over the number of sheep sent in to the works. One dny they might have 100 and the next 2000 or 3000. Mr Harley pointed out that with respect to the chairman’s remarks as to not taking any but the finest quality of produce, there wore a number of dairies producing second class butter, choose, ifcc., for which provision should be made. Perhaps it would bo better for the company to establish a system of grades ef butter, cheese, meat, &0., so that various qualities might be known, [Hear, The Chairman pointed out that what he advocated wes that the company should not ship anything that was at all unsound or not likely to arrive well. He was, as he had said, quite in furor of the system of grading the produce. Mr Dixon said be was satisfied with the resnlt of the discussion. The whole matter resolved itself into a question of experience. Mr Harley then moved—“ That the following gentlemen, with power to add to their number, form the provisional directorate, viz., Messrs J. Grigg, John Btndholme, O. Hart, John Maofarlane, John Tinline, John Oooke, B. Westerns, P. Cunningham, J. T. ITord, P. 0. Tabart, W. Chrystall, J. T. Matson, and B. Wilkin. Mr Dudley seconded the motion, which was worried, and the meeting terminated.