COOL STORE FOR ONIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 4

COOL STORE FOR ONIONS.

A PUKEKOHE PROPOSAL,

ACCOMMODATION FOR 500 TONS

The question of the storage and preservation of onions is at present exercising the minds of several onion growers of Pukekohe. During the past two seasons successful experiments have been carried out, and it has been found that the Pukekohe onion keeps exceptionally well when in cold store. The idea now ie to erect a cool store at Pukekohe with, a capacity of 500 tons, which, it is felt, will meet present requirements. With the object of discussing the matter, about 20 growers met on Pukekohe Hill on Monday evening, the president of the Onion Growers Association, Mr. P. A. Miller, presiding. An Auckland broker outlined the proposals, the main feature being the formation of a public company with a capital of £6000, made up of £1 shares. The maximum number of directors is to be five, two of whom shall be appointed by the grower-shareholders, the other three by the general shareholders. It was estimated that a return of 8 per cent on capital invested would result after the first season's operations. The meeting expressed itself in favour of the proposal, and promised £1250 in cash and in value in onions. A canvass of the district for share capital is to take place immediately, it being the intention to have the store operating by the end of March next.

It was contended that the storage of 500 tons of onions when the markets were glutted would relieve the position materially, and assure the growers of a better price for their product. An Auckland merchant, Mr. H. Turner, gave some interesting history about cool stores in the South Island and overseas. He expressed the opinion that the Pukekohe proposition, with a capacity of 500 tons, was sound, but if, ae it had been suggested, the capacity was increased to 1000 tons, then he would not like ite chances of success. "You must crawl before you walk" was the advice given.