EXPORT OF CATTLE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21198, 23 June 1934, Page 18

EXPORT OF CATTLE

SHIPMENT TO SHANGHAI INTERESTING EXI'EKIMENT The cattle sold recently for export to Shanghai were loaded at Wellington this week on the Winifred Moller (formerly the Katoa) and should reach their destination in 22 or 23 days. Special stalls, built on a most elaborate and extensive scale, have been constructed in the vessel's holds, so that 'tween decks she appears more in the nature of a byre than a ship. Stalls have also been built along her port and starboard bulwarks and beneath the shelter deck. Space has been reserved for 30 pedigre animals ori the shelter deck, there being eight pens, all of which are spacious considering the number of cattle being taken and the size of the ship—a steamer of 2434 tons. Coal for the Floor Bifhker coal provides the ilooringfor' the stalls in the holds, and over this will be spread a covering of straw. The railings round the pens, also the inside of the hull, have been whitewashed, and the livestock have thus an excellent temporary home, light and airy. Right aft there is a large space between the stalls, giving the men who are to take care of the animals plenty of space to move about ii Five experienced stockmen from Dalget.y and Company will travel with Iho ship to Shanghai, and they will be assisted by various members of the Chinese crew, who arrived in Wellington some months ago to take the Winifred Moller away. To feed the animals more than 100 tons of hay and mangels are being taken, together with about 30 tons of bran.

Water pipes have been laid on to each hatch. Tin water-troughs would be filled by using a hose. The captain considers that the animals housed on the ship's deck would be even better off than those in the holds. Their stalls were covered with canvas and could be protected from bad wea.ther. It was intended to keep the hatchcovers off as much as possible during the trip, and when the tropics were reached water would probably be played over the cattle in the holds. "With anything* like reasonable weather the hatches will be full open," stated Captain Cordy, "and two windsails will be attached to each hatch to allow fresh air down into the holds."