OUR MEAT FREEZING COMPANY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1121, 5 December 1883, Page 3

OUR MEAT FREEZING COMPANY.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir, —I am aware that the Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company Limited are showing considerable interest in the affairs of the West Coast Meat and Produce Export Company Limited, and that they have made overtures to receive, live stock, and in other respects show a disposition to treat this district with dap regard. The Secretary oLlhe latter Company has stated privately that he had several unofficial interviews with the Gear Company’s Secretary, Mr Gear being present on one occasion, and the tenor of their conversation showed a considerable eagerness to receive stock from here. I cannot help thinking that the directors somewhat unceremoniously dismissed the Gear Company’s letter from their minds. There is more in it than appears at first sight, which might be turned to the advantage of this Company ; and if at the same time benefiting the Gear Company—well, why not ? That Company has unquestionably got the best footing in Wellington, and its affairs are conducted nmder a system worthy of imitation, and I can see many ways in which mutual benefit could result from a reciprocation of a desire to assist one another.

It must be a considerable time before Chambers’ patent, which this Company seems to view with favour, has been tested. Other Companies wait not, but strike and use the well-tried Haslems. It may not have occurred to the directors (and they arc welcome to the idea for what it is worth) that an early start could be made in a small way in this fashion:—Let the Waverley or other suitable boat be fitted with a small refrigerator, “ Haslem’s,” as suggested by Mr Coxon, let arrangements be made with the Gear Company to receive periodical consignments of cooled, or say half-frozen carcases, to be transhipped into their hulk for completion of refrigerating process and ultimate despatch Home. This could surely be brought about in say 3 or 4 months, and would answer the purpose until the shore works are completed here. Of course care would have to be taken to kill as near as possible before the departure of the local steamer so as to preclude the keeping on hand fresh meat for too long a period before placing on board, but in the winter monibs this evil would hardly present itself* I should like at all events to see the Directors making some more practical results from theirdeliberations. In fact Sir, there ought to be a Managing Director or Manager, or more power given to the Secretary, for where there is such a. divided responsibility it has always been my experience that each one is willing to let the burthen fall on his neighbour os much as possible, and the old saying comes in, what is everybody’s business, &c., &<•'.—-Yours, &c.

Shareholder.

Patea, Dec, 4,