MEAT SLAUGHTERING IN WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2090, 28 November 1885, Page 3

MEAT SLAUGHTERING IN WAIKATO.

TO THK KOirnii. RlR,— I hopo the slaughtering bu«incsH in the Waikato is not going to hang hi p. I have been infmined tliat tho«»> Jaisfo land companies won't go into it, and that it cannot go on without this aid. I think we ought to rely nmre on ourhehes .md not on tho companies for mipport. I am told that only 3000 Hh.iros haxo been taken up, and the intention ii to call up only half the capital, which m this co-ho would be £1500, fin amount I think more than sufficient for all n;r|iurctnent». The election of Hlnughtei yards would bo tho chief expenne. Now I have had considerable experience in the Hlaughtennß biwinesn, and I don't think it requires very expensive buildint's for the HlaiiKht'-ring of mx bullockw a day and about thirt / sheep, and that I undei wtand is what the company expect to »tart with J thiok about MW would cover that item.

Of course tho building should be put up in such a way thab additions could be mado when required. As for shedding that would ni>t cost much, ai» you would not roquiro more that what could cover two days killing. A fow acres of liind is quite suthcient to erect the yards on. Any mor« that may bo wanted for pig run, &c, could be leaned, and could be half a nnlo or so fioin the yards. The next point is the railway Hiding. I have been informed the Government will make that on conditions. We guarantee thorn so much freight. Now come* the qnpHtion of hite. At tiistl wan in favour ot FiankU-n, as it was the r.nlw.iy junction, but on mature consideration I hnd it will not do to truck the cattle I therefore am of opinion that Ohaupo is the most suitable for a start, for the following re.iions -.—First it is the centie of tho fattening distucts of the Waikato. Secondly, the principal sales are hold there and, thirdly, as the parsons put it, the farmer c m dine his fat and store cattle to market at tho same time. Tho interest I take in tho matter is in common with othei farmer*. Now I will statr a case in point. Last Huntei's nale I took 30 fat sheep to be sold, but could get no bid, as the butchers were full. Now, inbtead of taking them home ag.uu, if the slaughter-yards were at Ohaupo I could ha\e turned them over to the association. A sito hai been offered clone to the sale-yards at n nominal rental, for any number of years, so that would !<avr a lot at the start. Mr Gane'o instrucj tiona to me when I was canvasiong were, that the beast was to be killed for tho farmer and to be sold for him, deducting ,\ fee to cover all expense". All the association gets out of it is tho fee for killing and what can be made on tho pigs ; the otf/i goes to the farmer. Now, if a fee is charged to co\er expenses, and accounts paid every week, I fail to soe what ho much capital n required foi. The expenses m working it would not be very much; thiee men could do all that would bo required— a head sluigliternnn, who would take charge, an assHtmt, and a man to clean up and attend the pig>>. I believe in commencing in a Hmnll way and adding to the atructure as wo go on. I look forwaid to this being the nucleus of other lnduntneo. I don't see why wo should send our raw material to Auckland to bo manufactured when it could be dono here. If the business is started I bclievo a great many more will take shares. I hopo tho directors will take the same view of it as I do, and make a start during the summer months, so as to be icady to commence operations by April next.— l am, yours obediently, H. Roche. Ngaroto, No\ . 2fith, 18S.">.