EXPORT OF FROZEN MEAT.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5083, 22 December 1881, Page 3

EXPORT OF FROZEN MEAT.

The adjourned meeting of those favorable to the establishment of a company for the export of frozen meat was held at II a.m. yesterday at the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, There was not a veryflarge attendance. Mr John Grigg oconpied the chair. The Secretary read a letter of apology for non-attendance from Mr B. Wilkib, stating that he would be willing to act ac a provisional director, and further (be interests of the proposed company by every means in hie power. Letters were also read from Messrs Boag, H. J. Mathias, and Q. Gould, stating that they oould not, owing to press of work, consent to act as provisional directors, but saying that they wished the company ruceess. Telegrams were also read from the Hoes. John Hall and W. Rolleston, stating that they considered it inexpedient for Ministers to take an active part in the company, though its proposed, operations had their hearty sympathy. The report of the committee, which has already been published, was taken as read. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Weetenra, the report was adopted. The draft prospeotus of the company, which it is proposed to call " The Canterbury Frozen Meat and Dai*y Produce Export Company," was read as follows :— The company is projeoted with the object of providing the means of preparing and rendering fit for export the enrplne stock and dairy produce of this diatriot by the refrigerating or other process. The present intention of the promoters is to restrict the company's operations to the preparation of meat and dairy produce for shipment on owner's account, and to arrange for the sale thereof in the London market. It is intended that the company shall have power either to 1 purchase or thip on owner's acconnt, as may he found desirable ; and aleo, that they shall control the sale as well as the freezing and export of the produce, until the tcheme is fully in operation, it being evident that a concentration of interests is necessary in placing shipments on the markets. The preparation and storage of cheese and butter for export will become one ot the most important operations of the company, and as the market in England for these prodncte ie practically unlimited, at prices showing 50 per cent, advance on clreoCT»«»=4. ioo tx» eeafc-xm-wttei-over tnoee current in this colony, an extensive export may be confidently anticipated. The promoters, recognising this all important feature in the project, propose to provide cool storage for ratter, cheese, &0., where such may be collected from farmers as produced, and acsumn'ated until a vessel is ready to receive it. After careful inquiry, it is estimated that the amount of capital to be called up (£10.000) will be sufficient to acquire suitable premises.erect the necesiary buildings, provide all requisite machinery, and meet the preliminary expenses. The English insurance companies offer to cover shipments apainst all risks, including deterioration on board ship from any cause, for 5 per cent premium. 'he promoters ara assured that the London aud St. Katberine Docks Company have already arranged to fit up vaults with proper appliances for cool storage, specially to meet the requirements of the frozen meat anc provision trade. The promoters bave sufficient evidence before them to prove that the proposed business could be carried on at once with a reasonable certainty of substantial profits on any purchases of stock at cumnt rates. They will therefore confidently rely on those who are directly or indirectly interested in developing the grazing industry of the country, to assist them in carrying out that which, if properly managed, cannot fail to prove a very profitable undertaking. The Chairman said that since the prospectus had been drawn up the colonial insurance companies in London had held % meeting, and determined to cover shipments against all risks for 5 per cent. Mr John Cooke moved—"That the draft prospectus as read be adopted; with the addition of the information just afforded by the chairman regarding the insurance companies." He thought there would be no difficulty in the valuation of damage the tame M with respect to wool or any other perishable product. In reply to Mr Westenre, The Chairman said he understood that the companies spoken of were the companies doing business in the colonies. Mr Dixon suggested that they shonld adjourn the meeting till a later hour, as the talcs at the Addington yards prevented many being present. The Chairman said he took the thin attendance that day as rather a compliment, because it showed the public had confidence that those having the work in hand would carry it through to a successful issue. [Hear, hear.] Hon. E. Bichardson seconded the motion, j which wu carried. The provisional directors were authorised to add to their number, end also to advertise the prospectus. Mr Ohryetall would like to ask the ohairman what provision wu likely to be mads for the shipment of the meat, &o. The Chairman said that the committee had no further information beyond what appeared in the report that two shipe had be* n fitted up. But while this was so, he desired to c&ll the attenti6n of the meeting to the fact that the shipping companies had already, without any request from a company like the one now projected, fitted up their vessels with refrigerating apparatus. This augured well for the supply of shipping faoilitiea in the future, becftUM they would then have a company formed

witb b view to ship meat, &c. Aβ regarded the amount of shipping required the quantity capable of being tamed out in one season when the oompany was in fall work would only fill four ihipt. They were following the lead of MTer&l other companies who had found no difficulty in procuring shipping.. For instance, the Orange company, whioh was turning out a very large amount, far more than the preient proposed oompany expected to do, found do difficulty whatever in obtaining ships. They in New Zealand had ell the advantage of a fine climate and excellence of stock. The shipping computes ; would, he thought, a> a matter of selfinterest, be prepared to go with the company in affording them facilities. The only fear that he had was that the freezing on board the ships would perhaps not be so successful. Hβ did not, think they need trouble themselves as to cot being able to obtain shipping facilities. Mr Ohrystall thought that the point was this, that the companies might, unless they were communicated with, go in for freezing themselves, and thus act in oppoiition to the company. The Chairman said that of course the first thing the provisional directors would do would be to communicate with the shipping companies as to the shipping facilities likely to be offered. The Hon. Mr • Richardson said that what the shipping companies were doing was to ascertain the feasibility of sailing vessels oarrying frozen meat to England. He thought there was not the slightest probability of the shipping companies opposing the proposed oompany in the freezing of meat. Mr Oooke thought that there need be no fear as to facilities being afforded them for shipping the frozen meat. Once the meat was frozen it could be carried quite as easily as wool, &3. Mr Dixon thought it would be far better if the sheep could be slaughtered near to their own pastures, thus saving the driving and oontequent heating of the meat. Had the oommiitee thought of selecting any place, say the Heathcote Valley, where the sheep, after being slaughtered near their own pastures, might be allowed to cool. The Chairman said that it was found to be imprasticable to (laughter sheep at their own pastures. The next best thing they could do would be to have a paddock aoceisible from the North and South by railway, so as to recover from the effects of driving. Mr Cooke desired to point out that the meat was not frozen immediately after killing. In Australia it went into a cooling chamber before being frozen. Mr Ohrystall desired to ask whether the cfFer of the insurance companies as to risk oovered butter and cheese. The Chairman said that they had no information on the subject beyond what ho had stated. But of course the risk on butter and oheeea when frezsn would not be nearly so great as on meat. He should say if the premium on meat was fixed at 5 per cent., that on butter and cheese should not exceed 5 per cent. Mr Coster suggested that sheep might be slaughtered on their pastures in the evening cay, and then sent by the morning train to toe freezing works. The Chairman said that this could not be done, beoause they might have sheep Bent in to the works in a doubtful condition, and the directors could not exercise that supervision over it which should be done. They must only freeze meat of good quality, so as to keep up the quality of New Zealand meat in the London market. [Hear, hear.j They could not afford for the benefit of individuals to allow the company to be made use of to the detriment'of the name of the New Zealand meat. [Hear, hear.] He should desire to see the meat graded, as the grain in the American market, so that eaoh carcase should i bear a stamp of quality whioh oould be relied upon in the market at home. If he took part in the company as a direoior he should advooate that the oompany should not take any meat, cheese or butter except of the finest quality. They must not lend themselves to the shipment of any produce below a certain grade. Mr Coster said that he intended that the directors should have full control over the slaughtering of sheep ox their own pastures, whioh oould be done by a person in the employ of the oompany. Mr Oooke said that an objection to Mr Coster's proposal was that there was no con* ; trol over the number of sheep sent in to the works.'. One d»y they might nave 100 and tne next 2000 or 3000. Mr Harley pointed out that with respect to the chairman's remarks as to not taking any but the finest quality of produce, there were a number of dairies producing second elate butter, cheese, &■%, for which provision [ should be made. Perhaps it would be tetter for the oompany to establish & system of grades ef butter, cheese, meat, &0., <o that the various qualities might be known. [Hear, hear.] The Chairman pointed out that; what be advocated was that the company soould not ship anything that was at all unscund or not likely to arrive well. He was, as.ae had said, quite ia favor of the sjstem of grading the produce. Mr Dixon said he was eatjifled with the result of the discussion. Thf whole matter resolved itself into a question of experience. Mr Harley then moved—"That the fol? lowing gentlemen, with power to add to their number, form the provisional directorate, viz., Messrs 3. Gtrigg, John Studholme, G-. Hart, John Maefarlejoe, John Tinline, John Cooke, B. Westenra, P. Cunningham, J. T. Ford, F. 0 Tabart, W. Chrystall, J. T. Matson, and R. Wilkin. Mr Dudley seconded the motion, whioh was carried, and the meeting terminated.