MEAT FREEZING.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1066, 30 July 1883, Page 2

MEAT FREEZING.

A meeting of the Committee appointed by the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for the purpose of endeavouring to get branch freezing and moat-proserving works at Patea, was held at Mr Eyton’s office on Saturday afternoon. Present—-Messrs Christie, Hamilton,;Sheild, Gower, and Barker. Mr Christie was voted to the Chair, and read a letter from Mr Lysaglu, staling that with reference to his forming one of a deputation to interview the Wellington Meat Freezing 'Co., he could not see his way to accept it, being a director in.both Gear’s and the Wellington Companies. Mr Hamilton said that he had had an interview with Mr Lysaght lately, and so. far as he could judge, that gentleman appeared to be willing to go as a delegate, bat he did not care to be hurried or bound to leave by any particular steamer. With regard to the meat trade, the Hawera people were going in for canning. He thought that if the matter were put before them, they would work in conjunction with Patea. Freezing would not do by itself, and unless canning were done with freezing, beef was sent home with a loss. He thought it would be better to go with Gear’s Company. . Mr Shield thought the two companies should be amalgamated, because if they continued as they were, one would run the other out. He thought they should have one big company for the whole of the North Island which would erect depots to take surplus stock off. Mr Christie, thought that, failing to come to negotiations with the Auckland, or Wellington Companies, they could enter into .negotiations with the Lyttelton Company. ,

Mr Barker said that could not be done very well, as the works were some distance from the Port, and meat brought there would have to be taken by railway through to Hillsborough. Proposed by Mr Barker, “ That a deputation be formed to go to Wellington and interview the directors of both the Wellington and Gear’s Companies, and ascertain the]terms for establishing meat preserving and freezing works upon the Patea River.” In moving this he thought it absolutely necessary that the Companies’ position should be ascertained ; also which company would erect works on the best terms. Mr Hamilton said the difference between the Wellington Company and Gears’ Company was that in the latter everything was economised, and every branch' of the industry such as meat canning and boiling, down carried on. Mr Gower said that the Wellington Company were dependent on Gears’ for their supply of stock, at whose yards it was slaughtered, as the former had no yards of their own yet. Mr Hamilton thought it would be a great benefit to the district, supposing they could not freeze beef, if they were only to freeze sheep. The general opinion was that if the works were started Hawera would come here, as this was the natural outlet for the district. Mr Gower seconded the; resolution, which was carried, Mr Wilson proposed : “ That Mr Hamilton and Mr Gower form the deputation,” which was seconded by Mr Shield and carried. . The meeting then adjourned. TELEGRAM FROM THE DEPUTATION. - Mr Christie received the, following from Mr Hamilton this afternoon : “ Meet Wellington Meat Freezing directors in morning. Chief difficulty is suitability of boats conveying meat from Patea. Haslam’sagent, an expert, here ; will interview him at 2 p.m. .Address, Occidental Hotel.”