FREEZING WORKS SITE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 24 July 1909, Page 2

FREEZING WORKS SITE.

Mr T. N. McEwen, engineer, of Longburn, writes to the Palmerston Standard in reference to the proposed freezing works sjte. He says: “As regards the proposed site for the new freezing works at Foxton, I am of opinion that it is unsuitable for the following reasons First, as regards the loading of the boats, it will be necessary to construct 25 to 30 chains of tramway to get to the jetty at the river ; next the river at that place is of a shifting nature, which means that the outlay may recur. The anchorage for the big boats is not good up to four miles from the shore. As for the shelter of Kapiti, I have always understood that no ocean-going boats will venture on the Foxton side of it. If the company can get a site on Robinson’s estate then the tram line and jetty, difficulty is almost overcome, but "the other objection remains.

aspect of the question is> the number of works at present in the Dominion, and which seem to bb at the present time too numerous when we look at prices in the Home markets. We have at

present in the marked the Longburn works. Why hot buy them if they can be got at a reasonable price ? That would enable the company to start next season without trouble.

“ I hold no interest in the works, nor am I likely to have any, but still I think if the directors of the proposed company look Into the matter they will see I am right. They could no,w, while the alterations are on, have a good job of them at little expense and there is plenty of room without building to put in extra machinery.” Mr McE wen’s objections to the Foxton site, to say the least of it, are absurd, because no site for the works at the Heads has yet been decided upon, therefore his “chains of tramway, jetty, shifting river, etc., are false creations. As to his speculative statement that no ocean boats will shelter on this side of Kapiti, that is likewise absurd. That the lee of Kapiti affords excellent shelter is an established nautical fact. Re the purchase of the Longburn works, which, he states, are on the market, we do not think the promoters would seriously consider the matter.