Co-operative Bacon Factory.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4386, 16 March 1909, Page 2

Co-operative Bacon Factory.

MEETING OF SETTLERS AT WAIHOU On Friday evening last there was a good attendance at the Waihou Public Hall of all tnose interested in establishing a Co-operative Bacon Factory. On the motion of Mr Cooper, Mr M. O’Donoghue was voted to the chair, and Mr <Vm. Abbey was appointed secretary. The advertisement inserted in the News calling the meeting, setting forth the nature of the business, was read.

The Chairman in his opening remarks, referred to the trouble at first experienced in starting the Co-operative Butter Factory, but while he anticipated a certain amount of initial hard work with the bacon factory, he felt sure it would prove as great a success as the Butter Factory had been.

Mr Cooper thought it a pity the meeting had not been called after the Co-operative Directors had met in order that a reply might be received to the letter sent.

Mr Casey and others expressed themselves in a similar strain.

Mr Lennard said he thought the factory should be established to embrace Paeroa, Morrinsville, Matamata, Te Aroha and intermediate settlements. It was only a question of a’very short time when the settlers would not be allowed to kill their own pigs and send them wherever they liked. They would have to be killed at some central place under the supervision of a Government Inspector. He did not favour establishing a central factory at Hamilton, he considered a central factory should be established nearer home. He thought Mr Rowe’s bacon factory could be secured at a reasonable price, and the whole business set in full swing without a very big outlay. Mr Rowe had been asked to attend the meeting, and doubtless would give those present any information they might require. Mr Cornea asked if Mr Rowe’s plant would be capable of treating any extra pigs that might be brought along. Mrfßowe said he thought his plant capable of dealing with the pigs available in this district. He had taken in pigs from Waikato, Tauranga, Thames, etc. Last season he put through 3,200 pigs. He had a merchant quite prepared to take all his output. By sending the bacon, etc, by river to Paeroa and transhipping to Auckland half the cost in freight could be saved. He was prepared to sell out at valuation. After some further discussion, which Bhowed that those present were determined to 6ee the matter through, it was resolved that the meeting stand adjourned till next Friday. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, and also to Mr Lennard for convening the meeting, was carried on the motion of Mr Rice seconded by Mr Johnson.