OTAIHAPE FARMERS’ MEAT AND PRODUCE CO. LTD.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 190, 20 April 1915, Page 4

OTAIHAPE FARMERS’ MEAT AND PRODUCE CO. LTD.

mebtingof director®. A meeting of directors of the Otaihape Meat Freezing Company was held on Saturday afternoon, at which still further important progress was made. The chairman of directors (Mr. H, D.

Bennett) presided, and the other directors present were: R, T. Batley, Dr, Barnett, A. F. Gibbs, p. G. Gordon, and W. Doole. Mr, R. Lillbura sent an apology for hi* absence. The most important business of the meeting was to discuss a proposal to

move the works from the original site selected to one adjoining the railway, close to the Company-!fi boundary between their property and that of Mr, Richmond Davies.

The chairman pointed out the advantages of the now site. In the original site —in the angle of the creek and river farthest removed from the railway—it had been arranged to dam the creek for a water-supply, and pu* in a pumping plant to Aise it sufficiently to supply the works, then to drain into the river which was at a much lower level. But it was estimated that the supply of water would not be anything like adequate in a comparatively dry season, or with any very considerable extension of the works.

In addition to this there was another

disadvantage and that was the laying -of a railway line from the works, across their property, to the railway siding, as this would involve the purchase of a locomotive with all the resultant costs of working and repairs.

In the new position they could secure an ample supply of water for all purposes—purely a gravitation oupply, dispensing with all costs of pumping machinery and the perpetual cost of working and wear and tear. The water

would be taken from a much... larger flow that went through his property and a head of about 75 feet was readily obtainable; they would still drain into the river. The alteration in site giving a gravitation supply in place of a pumped supply would mean, a saving on first cost of £l,lOO and an annual recurring cost in machinery, railway, labour, wear and tear, and replacement would obviously mean a saving annually of anything up to £IOOO a yea,r. The details of savings were:—Russell and Bignell's contract, dam, pipes, etc., including raising of dam not included in original tender, £204; Greenshields and Co., two pumps, say £400; railway siding, difference in cost. £750; locomotive, £6oo—a total or £1,954, but from this would have to be deducted £854, the extra cost of the new water supply, which would still leave a saving of £l,lOO in first cost. The works would be close to the railway, minimising to an extreme all costs of handling. The immense advantages and savings accruing from moving the works spoke for themselves. The chairman also reported on interviews he had had in Wellington with the Railway Department. He said that, in company with Mr. Gibbs, who kindly consented to accompany him at short notice, he interviewed Mr. Burnett, Chief Engineer of Railways, respecting the siding, and also Mr. Buxton, of the [ Traffic Department, with regard to the railage of the frozen produce. Mr. Bur- I nett favoured the change of site and agreed to allow his Department to put tits whole of the work in, including the supply of.sleepers, previously refused. Tito Company has to pay the actual aost of tlie work. He also agreed, sub-v'-t to confirmation by the General Manager and the Minister, to accept ri.-yinent for the work in four quarterly instalments. The question of railage

I of frozen meat was discussed with Mr. . Buxton. He promised to meet our rwi w Dements to the best of the Department's ability, carrying our produce by'night and in quantities to suit our needs. He stated that lie would communicate with us further on the subioct. The meeting acknowledged the value and advantage of making the change of site and the proposal was unanimously agreed to. Tenders were opened for the supply ■f accessory machinery not included in ,!, e main contracts, and were accepted ■ follows:—Pump, John Chambers '"'s ('accepted), Niven and Co. £42; Boiler Pump, John Chambers £sfi (aeru>tod), Richardson and McCabe £SO, '"'vi'p and Co. £7O; two Hydros, Niven 1 Co. £240 each (accepted), John '‘Timbers £2Ol, Crabtree and Bon Wool-Dryer, Nivmi and Do. £BOO Mroved (accepted). John Chambers -•I Wellington £Bl4 (the additional cost it; Wellington over delivered at BN-ra-ta is £22 .10/-; Lathe and Chucks. John Bhaujl'cr?: £lO2 7/0 (accepted) and Co. £lO5. E. W. Mills £IM 2A; To-m. E. W. Mills £5 10/- Anf-p.m-D, ■'Even and Cn. £l2; RwngO Bhv-V Ntven and Co. £2 5/-; Pipe Dies, Niven and r’o. £7 5/- (accej leu), Cable and r ‘o. £l2 15/-; Mnmuro Pr-w. C-Am Co.. £145 (accepted'', Niven and <~*o, £1 ,5 .2 10/-, Cral)tre° and Bon £10.9; bnling Plant, and Co. ‘‘los i accepted). Cable erd Co. £205: Flo her. E. W. H-rvC., we w d On. £2.27 Ift/- ('accented). m !.e Nw 7ea--1" ad Powell Wood Process Ltd., P*>•••«•«‘••ua; wrote o{Living a Davy-Paxman P‘> : !cr. in practicaly now condition, for ! ’C-2ft. The pur* hnso of this would result in a saving to the Company of about £250. It was resolved to purchase the boiler on the advice of their engineer.