A KAIKOURA GRIEVANCE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13100, 27 April 1908, Page 4

A KAIKOURA GRIEVANCE.

THE TRANSIT OF STOCK

(special to "the press.")

KAIKOUBA, April 25

A well-attended meeting under the auspioes oif tiie A. and P. Assoeuvtion was held last- night to consider the question of r_rocuring a stock boat for tlie purposes of shipping stock frcwn Kaikoura.

Mr A. J. MuTray, president of the Association, who was in the eh air, said the land around Kaikoura was second to none for fattening purposes, yet there was practically no outlet for fats. Tbe Dominion's fat lamb indue, try was responsible more than anything for the present prosperity of New Zealand. yet Kaikoura was barred to a groat extent from participating in that prosperity. * He thought it was becoming more apparent every year that New Zealand would havo to depend on the frozen lamb industry, and it behoved tlie Kaikoura people to procure suitable means of getting away tho fat's. There were about _.__,--- sheep in South Marlborough, between Kekerangu and tho Conway—less than hali being --reeding ewes'. If they could take advantage of the fat lamb industry, breeding owes should represent two-thirds of that number. Kaikoura was ateo in a fine position for obtaining; outside stores for fattening,, and he instanced the number of 6tores that passed through Kaikoura annually from Marlborough to Canterbury. It wonkl_ be a tremendous advantage to the Kaikoura district to have a thorough system, and the, means of getting the fat lambs away. If the facilities existed, Kaikoura could take all Marlborough's surplus stock. Mr Murray read a letter from a prominent runholder, apologising for his non-attend-ance, and strongly protesting against tlie action of the owners of the steamers now trading here in raising freight on wool this season.

Mr S. Andrew said a stock boat was perhaps the best mea.ns of getting rid of tho fats at present, but why not frcp.zing works? Fat lambs wereoften bruised in transit, and it would .bo better to deal with them here and put them on the London market. ' In the meantime he thought it would bo be.st to see if they could not procure a guarantee of the number of sheep that would l>e annually shipped, and then appro-oh the shipping companies. Several other speakers expressed the opinion that though the agents of the present traders had done, and wero doing, their utmost, much more was required. It was too expensive to drive overland, and besides that the _heep deteriorated, but the present shipping prk-o was prohibitive, :md the irregularity of the service hampered tho despatch of the ftheep. All tlie speakers agreed that the whole question hinged on what guarantee the district would give.

After the matter had been thoroughly discussed, an influential committee of ©even was appointed to canvass the fanners arid runiholders in Kaikoura county as to a guarantee; tbe committee to report in a month. Mr J. W. Trolove. of "The Shades," on the Blenheim-Kaikoura road, remarked tlhat during the past three months he himself had nr«vid_d accommodation for over 100.000 sheep on tlieir way from Blenheim to Canterbury.