FREEZING WORKS SITE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 10 August 1909, Page 3

FREEZING WORKS SITE.

Mr Newman, M.P., has sent the following letter to Mr J. C. Cooper, Chairman of Directors of the Wellington Farmers’ Meat Exporting Co., in respect to the Foxtou site, under date 6th August:—“Dear Sir, —I expect the committee that has been appointed to report upon a site for the new freezing works will visit Foxton soon, and as I may not receive sufficient notice to enable me to be present, I venture to submit to you a few of the reasons which I think can be given as showing the advantages of Foxton as the most suitable site in the interest of the new company: —■ 1. That the back country of Foxton extends from Otaki to Marton and up the Main Trunk Line to Ohakune, and comprises an area of first class stock grazing and fattening country that cannot be excelled in New Zealand. Stock from this large area would go to Foxton —other conditions as to charges being equal. 2. The Minister of Railways has stated according to newspaper report that frozen meat can be carried cheaper on the Manawatu line from Palmerston to Wellington, 88 miles, than over the Rimutaka from a distance of 42 miles. This being correct, stock could be brought through the Gorge to Foxton on a level line, from a large portion of the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts, more advantageously to shippers than over the Rimutakas. 3, The difficulties with regard to lightering and putting meat on board Home going vessels at Foxton are not greater than formerly existed at Wanganui, and it is well known that the Freezing Company at the latter port has had no reason to complain of delay or loss on account of bar troubles. 4, The cost to the Company of buying a site at Wellington or elsewhere would absorb a large amount of capital. A free site, with paddocking accommodation required would be provided at Foxton, and the saving in this way would be so great, that even if the company had to provide lighters as the Wanganui Freezing Co. does, it would' still be to its advantage to build and ship at Foxton.

I would suggest that you and the committee visit and inspect the works at Wanganui, Patea and Waitara (all rivers with bars), before they decide on a site. They will then see that with suitable lighters the difficulties of shipping in the open roadstead have been practically overcome. Further, I think I am correct in stating that few if any of the freezing works establised inland, have been a success and some of them have .been abandoned. I hope you will pardon me for making these few suggestions ; but I feel strongly that Foxton is the best site for the works which I hope you will accept as my apology for troubling you.”