INSULATED TRUCKS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1922, Page 4

INSULATED TRUCKS

At the meeting of the Greymoutli Chamber of Commerce on Friday evening, Mr Robertson said it was time attention was given to the provision of cool stores in Greymoutli, or better freight arrangements to Wellington. Damage to the extent of £IOOO had been incurred with butter and cheese recently sent from South Westland to Wellington. Cheese in some instances had been placed in the goods sheds at a time when the iron was so hot that the oil ran out of the cheese and the article was turned down at the ’Wellington grading stores as second class. The Union Company was now refusing to take general cargo on the Kamona, at present in port, and that meant that there was not another boat available for ten days. Mr Steer said that at a commission in Hokitika, Kokatahi producers flatly asserted that they did not want cool storage in Greymoutli. Of course, they were Kokatahi people—possibly Ross was of a different opinion.

Mr Doogan said he could substan■.i.ite Mr Steer’s statement. A nuni-h-r of the men had stated that they did not want cool storage in GreyioV.h, and if would lie well to got copies of their evidence and ascertain if 1 hev were still of the same opinion.

‘■Those were Kokatahi people,” said Mr Robertson. “I am referring to producers below Ross.”

Mr Heapbv said the solution was ins’l luted trucks.

Mr Kitcbingham suggested that it would be advisable to make representations to the Railway Department to lxive a sufficient number of insulated trucks brought through the tunnel.

Mr Robertson moved in tliis direction, adding that ten trucks be applied for and that the Department be asked to place wire-netting arming the goods sheds to arrest depredations by rats. These were becoming a nuisance and doing great damage to cheese and such goods. Mr McLean, in seconding the motion, said that tlie price of butter was low enough without having additional handicaps. The motion was carried.