THE WELLINGTON FARMERS MEAT CO. LTD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9585, 3 September 1909, Page 5

THE WELLINGTON FARMERS MEAT CO. LTD.

THE BATTLE OF THE SITES.

To the Editor. Sir,—ln reply to "A Resident's" letter in your journal of the 31st ult., I may say that I am deilghted to receive his thanks for having quoted returns of stock depasturing 1 in the several counties ranging from Featherstcn in the extreme south to the Pahiatua County in the north. My object in quoting these statistics was not alone to please "A Resident," but rather to demonstrate that the greatest number of sheep from which "fats" could be drawn to x the proposed freezing works is from the north rather than the south, and notwithstanding my friend's strictures I have the hardihood to still maintain that the figures prove my contention. "A Resident" says for my guidance "that we are not erecting works to freeza stores and breeding ewes." For this information I feel truly grateful. Tis so awfully original and instructive. "A Resident" again refers to the number of fat stock railed from Featherston, and Masterton, to bolster up his argument in support of Pigeon Bush, viz., Featherston 172,124, Masterton 154,456 from the latter station. He might be gocd enough to supply a slight omission, and add on the considerable number railed from the , Carterton station, and which naturally would go to Waingawa if freezing works were in existence there. Then I think that he might admit that the ' local consumption of fat stock is far greater in the northern end of the district under review, on account of its denser population, as compared with the district south of Carterton, and 11 may tell him that we don't consume store stock here. Then again he assorts that if works are going to !be erected "to suit those returns, etc." I must go above Masterton. Verily, this line of argument on his part, if it does one thing more than another, it proves that Pigeon Bush is further and further away from Ihe centre cd the district than any one ever imagined,, I will new quote suma more figures for the edification of "A Resident,'* to wit, th; area in square miles of the stveral counties (including boroughs) :—Southern End.—Featherston 445, South Wairarapa 965* total 1,410 square miles. From this may be deducted the area of Deer Forest Reserve and the Wairarapa Lake, a by no means inconsiderable scope of country. Northern End.— Pahiatua 302, Akitio 328, Castlepoint 150, Eketahuna 170, Mauricevilie 125, Masterton 965, total 2,040 square miles, or a balance in favour of the north by 630 square miles. It must be assumed that a district having such a large balance in area, the quality of the land on the average being similar, must in the future be the greatest stock producing one. Turning again to the number of fats railed form Featherston and Wairarapa South that the former is the ( best fattening district, it may be i that it is one of the oldest settled portions of the Wairarapa and Forty Mile Bush districts, and has arrived at its maximum of productiveness, while a very large proportion of the more recently settled country to the north has not yet arrived at the zenith of its producing and fattening powers, and the day is not far distant when the large area ot such country as is comprised in the Eketahuna, Pahiatua. Alfredton, and Puketoi districts will be stumped and ploughed, and the produce therefrom be doubled or quadrupled. Let me suggest to "A Resident" that freezing works should be built in such a position as to take cognisance of future prosects and for the greatest good to the greatest number of producers, i.e., in th-j most central position. There are one or two things which go to strengthen the opinion that theWaingawa is the most central and suitable site for works. ' Messrs Wililams and Beetham, gentlemen of considerable astuteness, selected it from its strategic position as a spot pre-eminently fit upon which to erect their preserving works, Then later on, when there was a prospect of a freezing company being i'ormedin the Wairarapa, the Wei-, lington Meat Export Company acquired the property, plant and all. It may b* asked if it was not a central and eligible situation in every way. Why did a company.who may be credited with good business ability, and as knowing its A.8.C., purchase it? Why did they not go south to "A Resident's" beau ideal location, Pigeon Bush. Item Tor farmers: The present freight per rail from Ngahauranga to Masterton is seven shillings and tenpence per ton for manure—the major portion of which would be saved if the manure was manufactured at local works.—l am,, etc. FARMER. Masterton, September 2, 1909.