FREEZING WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1915, Page 4

FREEZING WORKS.

ALL ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETE, WORK AT SITE STARTS TO-DAY, All arrangements have now been com* pleted for the erection of freezing works at Waiwnkaiho by the Taranaki Farmers' Meat Company, Ltd., and a start will be made to-day with clearing the site where the works are to be established. It is now some little time since the company was launched, and in the interval, while the directors have been putting their plans in motion, public interest in the scheme has increased, for it is recognised the freezing works are going to be an important factor in the future progress of Taranaki.

The site of the works is Mr. Hoby's property at Waiwakaiko, the company having acquired the whole of the property, 17 acres, while the spot where the main buildings will be erected is . where Mr. Hoby's brick kiln now stands, opposite the Smart Road railway station. The removal of the brick works is to be taken in hand at once, and, although the company is not yet entitled to take possession of the property, Mr. Hoby has given permission to the company to commence operations, and to-day Messrs T. and R. Parkin will commence their contract to clear and levil the site. The site is now hilly country, but it will be cut down to tho level of the railway, and an area of about 2J acres will be provided. While to-day will witness tho first visible activity in connection with the works, many other important steps have been taken. An order has been cabled to England for the plant, and the Government has given its assistance to tho company, through the High Commissioner, in tho direction of preventing any delay in the shipment of the machinery to New Zealand. The war has made shipping uncertain, but it is hoped to have the machinery here in December. The company's architect was m New Plymouth last week, and the plans of the works have been completed, and tenders for erection will be called shortly. It is not expected that this phase of the scheme will take long, and the buildings should be under way early next month, The scheme of construction of the works is comparatively simple, and it is anticipated that four to five months will be sufficient to carry out the work. Should no unforeseen,circumstances hamper these plans, the early part of next season should sse the wprks established, and the greater part of the season will be availed of. The property which the company has acquired will provide ample area for'its requirements, and in addition the copipany has leased the property of the New Plymouth fJolf Club for grazing purposes. The Harbor Board has not overlooked the important influence which the works will have, on the port, and it has been officially stated that no difficulty is anticipated in making arrangements to berth a Home liner at the New Plymouth wharf next March, or at sudi time as there will be a cargo ready from the new works.

Additional applications are being received for shares, but there are a number of those who promised some time ago to do so wlio have not yet forwarded their applications. The directors hope, now that everything has been arranged, that they will do so without further delay.