FREEZING WORKS SITE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9582, 31 August 1909, Page 5

FREEZING WORKS SITE.

(To the Editor). Sir,- - Tn your issue dated August 28th inst., there appears a letter signed "Farmer," and I thank him for the latest sheep returns dated April 30th, 1908. Now, if lie is going to erect works to suit those returns he cannot in ray mind conscientiously taKe Waingawa for the site. He must go above Ma3terton to meet what he quotes. I might state for his guidance that we are not erecting works to freeze stores and breeding ewes—for that is what the returns are mainly made upon—but I think we want works to freeze fat stock. As I have always quoted the two railway stations which rail the largest number of fat stock, are Featherston and Masterton, we will just analyse his figures Take Featherston County first: 467,001 sheep —that same year Featherston railed away 172,124 fat sheep and lambs, or nearly 36.8 of the sheep in the returns. So it is quite evident that this county must buy their stores from above Masteiton. for we would soon be out of sheep if we did not do that. Now for Masterton County, 560,998, including Castlepoiut County 170,273, and Flat Point, Kaiwhata, Te Wharau and part of Wainuioru and Waingawa, say, 90,000, makes a total of 821,271. They sent away that same year (1908) 154,456 fat sheep and Jambs, or about 18.8 of their sheep returns—which, on "Farmer's" own figures, proves that Featherston County is the best fattening district. The works should not go above a district that sends away this number of fatSi viz., 172,124 yearly. I might state here that when the works were first spoken of, from Masterton upwards they could not see any site to suit but Wellington, and were quite prepared to train stock over the hill. After a great deal of agitation on my part in showing the advantages of inland works versus Wellington, Mr J. C. Cooper got a letter from Mr Leadley, of Fairfield Works, pointing out the advantages of inland works. We get the works confined to this side of the hill, Masterton then wakes up and says we must have them at our own back-door and ignores this end of the district, which always wanted inland works, and sent away this last reason (1909) 190,000 fat sheep and lambs. If Masterton wants the works to be a success they must not cut off this end of the distric, and I still fail to see that Waingawa :s the site. I think the above figures show clearly that the site should be at Pigeon Bush. Thanking "Observer" and "Farmer" for the friendly correspondence on the ahuve question, and also the proprietors of this journal,- I am, etc., A KE3IDENT. Featherston,. August 30th. To the Editor. Sir,—The editor who alluded to the flight of a disrepr.tabje character from the community as having "filled a lungjfolt want," succeeded in making himself understood, but judging from the correspondence that has | appeared in your columns in reference to the erection of meat works in the Wnirarapa, the average reader has no chance of understanding the real position. Each of your correspondents appears to have grabbed a bundle of made-to order opinions and attempts to shove it bodily down the throat of the othei' ftllow, with the hope that it will be swallowed like a boy swallows a hot pancake. So far as the various sites are concerned, impartial consideration b# residents within it is out of the question. for the simple reason that the erection of the works in or near any centre in this district would mean the making of that particular town. What is required to settle the question of site is the opinion of some expert in freezing works, one who has gained his knowledge in the school of practical experience, and who would be free from all partisan prejudices. I would suggest that the directors secure the services of one. or more of thes best men available "with instructions to vis;* the sites under offer, and report as to the most suitable, all things considered. At present those responsible seem to be working on the "go it blind" and trust to providence principle, with representatives from the various dis- '! tricts out scalp hunting in the interest<? of their particular site, ; suitable or otherwise.—l am, etc., j BLACK FACE. I Taueru, August 27th.