THE MEAT FREEZING COMPANY, PATETERE, and the NAPIER SHEEP RUNS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1745, 11 September 1883, Page 2

THE MEAT FREEZING COMPANY, PA TETERE , and the NAPIER SHEEP RUNS.

In our Saturday's isMie we gave a brief outline of a scheme, having for its object the transportation of sheep from the Hawke's Bay runs through the country via Patetere to Auckland, there to be frozen by the new Freezingand Storage Company, and shipped to the Home market. "The scheme may be looked at in the light of a supplementary proposal in connection with the freezing company, and if given effect to, as we have little doubt it will be, should ensure the success of the company in no small degree ; leaving aside altogether the great advantage which it promises to affoid the Hawke's Bay .sheep farmers, who, it is intended, shall contribute materially to the operations of the company in point of expense, expedition, and accommodation ; and the impetus which it cannot fail to give to settlement in the Patetere and other inland districts. The scheme, Aye might add, has not been sent forth without matm c consideration, but on the contrary, those who have given birth to it have considered the matter in detail, and after going thoroughly into the particulars, and calculated the expense and income, have satisfied themselves that the idea is not only workable, but is sure to prove a remunerative branch of the company'b operations if adopted. Again, there can be no doubt that it will tend to open up a flourishing Hue of settlement through the country, and materially enhance the value of the land brought within the sphere of operations. The scheme was submitted by the directors representing this district and Napier at the meeting of the company at Auckland yesterday. It it, proposed to have thirteen stations of, say 320 acres each, at intervals of a certain number of miles between Napier and Lichfield, each station to bo fenced in and laid down in grass. The land for the most part is in the hands of Europeans, only two stations being native territory, but no difficulty is anticipated in securing a title to these. It has been ascertained that the land can be leased at 2s per acre per annum on a lease, say, of seven years, all the improvements, together with a wooden hut, on each station to revert to the lessors at the expiry of the lease, Considering how the scheme is sure to enhance the value of the land along the route, we do not anticipate any obstruction on the part of the owners. Each station is estimated to cost, say £317 10s ; and thirteen at this figure — £4127 10s. Add to this £330 4s for interest, and £41G for rental— £74G 4s, and seven years at this— £93so lßs. As to receipts it is xeckoned that 100,000 sheep will travel over the route annually. This number at 3id per head for the entire trip to Lichfield— £l4sß Gs 8d ; and tins income annually for seven years would be r £10,208 Gs Bd, leaving a surplus in favour of the scheme of £357 8s Bd, or over 8 per cent, on the outlay. It is expected that the cost of the buildings in connection with the slaughter-house will be recouped by the fees charged for slaughtering which will be made as small as consistent with the expense. At the last proposed station, about three miles from, Lichfield, there is an excellent fall of water about 20ft in height, and of sufficient volume to drive refrigerating machinery if required. There are numerous other considerations which argue in favour of the proposal, and which should ensure its meeting with a favourable reception by the Hawke's Bay settlers. Of these we might instance the advantages which they will derive from being able to send then" sheep overland and arriving at their journey's end in good condition, and without many deaths when compared with the unprofitable system of shipping them in small coasting craft from Napier to Auckland, where they would arrive in a veiy lean and bruised condition, and with a large proportion of deaths. Again, Napier is not a turnip growing country, but the soil of Patetere being suitable for the growth of root'erops, turnips can be grown' there, and the sheep got into' prime condition before being slaughtered.

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