AUCKLAND FREEZING COMPANY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1604, 14 October 1882, Page 2

AUCKLAND FREEZING COMPANY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— The thanks ot the provisional diioctors are due to you for the able leader you printed in your paper of the 7th October on the benefits to be derived from the establishment of the above compauy. I take upon myself the liberty, for the directors, ot thanking you therefor. A few persons, havestated to me that in their opinion — ou account of Wanganvii and Napier starting to freeze -it is quite unnecessary to start in Auckland. I believe that to be a mistake— even if Wanganui can work a freezing establishment, which I very much doubt, owing to tho want of natural and artificial advantages, such as no haibour for U'fesels, and no railway through to any pait suitable— it does not lessen the necessity for having a freezing chambei in Auckland. 1 would point out to farmeis that the object of the company is to keep the Auckland market steady at remunerative rates to the producer. I say that the absence of Coast cattle at Auckland will not remedy the evil altogether, because the bulk of the Waikato fat stock goes into the market at one time— viz., January, February, March, June, and July, therefore I say that until we aie in a position to store away some ptoduce at certain times ot the year the price of meat muU fluctuate consideiably. For instance, suppose dry weather sets iv m summer, every one with cattle", &c, would have to sell some, and the result would be a choked market, the meaning of which every farmer in Waikato knows. Then again, what follows ? Stock rise to con&ideiable ligiucs when the farmers have little to sell, leaving other provinces or countries to profit by their sacrifice. Again, wheat growers like, geneially, to get their stock off turnips towards the end of July, which would throw another lot of stock on the market at one time. Every man should see there is grpftt need of a company such as the above, and it should be widely known that it will require the assistance ot nearly every settler in "Waikato to float the same. As a great many farmers in Waikato and about Auckland have, through the low prices of live, stock, turned their attention to wheat growing, I think proper to take this opportunity of stating that I believe, having myself had some experience of wheat harvesting in a wet season, that it is most undesirable for any farmer to depend on any one particular product in farming, and especially on such a risky crop as wheat; therefore, to divide the risk, it is to be hoped farmers will come forward readily to assist in floating a company w Inch will enable them to do so profitably. One good thing in connection with a company ot this kind is, that it is not calculated to injure anyone— not even the Auckland live stock auctioneers, as they will moie than recover the amount lost by the increase of the numbers and the prices of stock, generally—but, on the contiary, cause a great amount ot good in various\vays certainly, (should Wanganui succeed in freezing) to , the lower classes, by keeping the price of meat steady at a reasonable figure, and not have it occasionally at famine prices, as it surely would bi> if Auckland had to depend solely on the province for its supply at "present. Now, I could quite have agreed with you, had you stated that the province could supply (I doubt the ability of the two counties*) itself. All that is leqnhed is confidence in the prospect ot a steady and payable puce for farm produce, and large quantities will be raised, perhaps more than sufficient in time. Now I say the proposed company is, an assurance that payable prices are to be had, if not in, outside the colony ; also, nothing will tend more to increase and legulate the price of land than a company that can be guided by the Home markets. I believe so long as the Home markets can be tallen back upon, fair prices foi produce of good quality will always be obtainable. With regard to the expense of working the company at Ohaupo, and as it could not be kept going more, probably, than half the year, and as most of the woik would likely be best done by contract, the manager and secretary could be engaged for the time of service only, which would lessen theexpense materially, and as to the Auckland end, the directors consider that by storing perishable goods from tune to time from merchants or otheis that they will thereby be enabled to keep down expenses considerably also. Allow me to stay, through your valuable columns, the circulation of a rumour that certain individuals were chosen to fill the several offices in Waikato should the company be floated ; for the information of the public generally, and to prove that everything is based on fairness that is done— ib was, at a meeting of the provisional directors, resolved that when the company was formed applications to fill the various offices should be called for, so as to give everyone a chance, and as far as possible get the best men procurable. In conclusion, I venture to state that if nothing is done, the farmers will most likely have the pleasure of having to accept similar prices to last year, viz : from 8s to 18s per lOOlbs for beef, whereas, by floating the above company they would probabiy get 25s all the year round. You will observe then, the difference between the two figures, and, I think, every man, merchant, &c, should weigh the matter carefully in an unprejudiced mind, and try and discover where the extra money, or the difference between the two prices would likely get to— l venture to say the townships, or rather the merchants, tradesmen, &c, that live in them, will reap aa much benefit thereby, as the farmers themselves, only' in an indirect way. I will now point out to the public that the share list closes on the 24th of this month, and if most of the shares are not taken up, it is the intention of the provisional directors to throw the whole affair up. Hoping you will publish the above, and apologising for trespassing so much on your space. I am, Scar Thos. Goodkellow.

A notice to country storekeepers appears in another column. - ' ■ \ Messrs H. E. Cotton & Co. will sell at , their rooms," Cambridge 7 at II a.m. 'this day, drapery, furniture, sewing machines, gold and silver watches, &c, &c, and, Spanish- aud Polish - fowls'. In future^ their Saturday sales will' always be held at 11 a.m. )1J '