WELLINGTON FARMERS' MEAT CO., LTD,

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10596, 30 March 1912, Page 5

WELLINGTON FARMERS' MEAT CO ., LTD,

THE SEASON'S OPERATIONS. With the object of gaining a little information concerning the progress of the output of the Wellington Farm* ers' Meat Company, at their Wiaiiigaava freezing works, Masterton, since the commencement of the season in' November last, a rej>resenta(tive of the Wairarapa Age yesterday, interviewed Mr J. 0. Cooper, Managing Director of the Company. "Yes," said Mr Cooper, in response to a query, "we have had a . record, run.- right from the, opening of this sea-on's operations, which is fully demonstrated by a comparison with the figures of last season. The total output last season to <Rme 30th was 115,500 sheep and lames, and 690 head of cattle, and you will gain some idea of the rapid expans:cji of tliis season's operations* when I mention that the figures up to the end of March this year already stand at 130,000 sheep and lambs and 650 head of cattle. In addition to this there are over 10,000 sheep in sight for next week, During the present month of March, 39,000 sheep and lambs were handled, as compared with 26,000 for the corresponding month of last season.

"Have you received any exceptionally heavy drafts this season?" "Yes" ; Ave recently handled a draft of over 4300, Avhich came through iby road from Pong-area. .They arrived in splendid condition, in spite of ihe Aveek on the roati." "-Has'the increase in the output necessitated the employment of a larger staff at the Avorks this- season P"

"Well, no; if anything Ave are employing 'fewer hands. this season, although in some departments'there are more. For instance, Ave employ 22 butchers, which is more than last year, but in the freezing department there are only.;. 8 hands as compared with '2O last year. The decrease in the number of hands in the freezing chambers is-du eohiefly to the improved methods Ave are adopting this season. Not only this department, 'tout'all of them are in a high sta'te of ''efficiency, and it speaks Avell for the staff that they are able to cope with the volume of businesrs."

"What constitutes- a good day's output?"-. ~...' "The average is about 1700 sheep to about '2OOO lamibs daily, but 2040 is the biggest day wo have had so far this season." "I suppose the wages represent a big item in the expenses ? ' "Yes"; we paid out £540 last week, exclusive of office management, departmental', heads, drovers and drafters. If these were included tQie amount paid out for the week would he something like £7OO. "Are there any new building' schemes in progress?" "Yes; we are just erecting a new brick building for the manures at a cost of about £SOO, and expect 'to have it- completed about the middle «f next month. The new 'building, which is 88ft by BGft, will five lis doiible the storage capacity, which is urgently needed. A considerable amount of new machinery has also been installed this season, which undoubtedly has added to the efficiency of the works, and the result has warranted the additional outlay, which, could not have been attained witihout it."