Historic first shipment from Totara

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 39

Historic first shipment from Totara

Today marks the historic first shipment of frozen meat which left Port Charlmers on the sailing ship Dunedin bound for London.

The Dunedin s voyage was revolutionary — not only because it carried New Zealand’s first consignment of frozen meat but because it was the first sailing ship to carry a refrigerated cargo. Our first consignment of refrigerated butter was also on that historic voyage. On February 15, 1882. the cargo of 4909 sheep and 22 pigs was complete and the Dunedin set sail for Britain under the command of Captain John Whitson.

Dr John Gorrie, working in Florida during the 1840 s, devised a method of refrigeration by using compression and the sudden expansion of air. By 1877, this invention had been developed into the Bell-Coleman cold air machine which could be fitted to give refrigeration conditions aboard ships. A young man who had worked on South Island sheep stations ahd who had risen to be General Manager of the New Zealand and Asutralian Land Company in Scotland, saw the possibilities for New Zealand. William Soltau Davidson had the vision, the driving force and the opportunity to plan a trial shipment of farm produce from his company’s estate at Totara. The first carcases were placed on board the Dunedin by Davidson and Brydone on December 7.

In the first five days, more than 600 sheep were placed in the chambers and it looked as though the ship might get away by the end of the year. This was not to be, as, on December 12, the crankshaft of the refrigerating machine broke and it took one month for repairs to be effected. The meat already frozen and the 360 carcases on their way from Totara had to be sold locally. The month of January, 1882, saw freezing and stowing in full swing again and by February 14 the cargo was complete. The Dunedin left Port Chalmers on the following day. The Dunedin arrived safely and the cargo found a ready sale in London. The Land

Company made a profit ol £ 4216 Us lid.

Totara Estate, bought by the New Zealand and Australia Land Company in 1866. was renowned for its grain growing ability. At that time. the N.Z.A.L.C. owned more than 800.(W0ha in New Zealand and Australia.

The land and farm buildings were bought from the present owners of the Totara Estate, Mr and Mrs George Berry, by the N.Z. Meat Producers Board in 1980. Since then, the N.Z. Historic Places Trust has restored these buildings at a cost oi about $150,000.. Patient restoration work has resulted in the carcase shed looking much as it would have done in 1881 Unfortunately, all that remains of the slaughterhouse is the concrete foundations. Three buildings on the Totara Estate Centennial Park, the barn or granary, the men's quarters and the stables, all date from the 1860 s — Totara’s grain growing era. The fourth and fifth, the carcase shed and killing shed foundations, all belong to the establishment of the frozen meat export industry and were built in 1881.

Apart. from museum displays, there will be dozens of other items reflecting lite at Totara or connected ■ with’ early New Zealand fanning and freezing industries .to see. Palliasses have been made of sacking, then filled with the husks of oats. Cavings, as these were called, were safe from mice and were more comfortable than chaff which became flat and lumpy, later in the season. Canvas leggings and other protective gear such as that used by solo butchers years ago, have been made. More • than 10,000 people are expected to attend the celebrations at Totara from where the meat was slaughtered for the Dunedin.

The main ceremony will be the official opening of the Totara Estate Centennial Park by the Governor-Gen-eral, Sir David Beattie. The Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Rowling, cabinet ministers, and farm and industry leaders will be among the official guests. Although some of the functions are solely for official guests, the day is designed to include everyone.

Hundreds of schoolchildren are expected to be present

and the Dunedin Enthusiasts Club has arranged a special train excursion to Totara.

Flags representing all. the export markets New Zealand ships its meat to will be flown. Vintage cars and old farm machinery will be on display -and a barbecue- area has been-set aside, •

Another -feature of the day will be Godfrey Bowen’s performing sheep. A special 30 cent’Stamp has been issued to ,’coihmemorate the occasioa and a Post Office will be on site to cancel first-day covers. ■-. Britain will also be represented at Totara by „.the Minister of State in the; Ministry of Agriculture,.-, Fisheries and Food. Mr - Alick Buchanan-Smith, and' the High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mr R. J. Stratton. The chairman of the Meat Board, Mr Adam Begg, will officially hand over the park to the Historic Places Trust.

The centenary container of meat, transported from Waitaki N.Z.R.’s Pukeuri works earlier in the day, will be sent from Totara to the Maheno Railway Station where it will be railed to Port Chalmers.

Official guests will have lunch, in a marquee, on the

lawn of the original Totara Homestead built in 1868. After the luncheon official guests will drive .to. Port Chalmers where Mr Muldoon will ask the Governor-Gen-eral to accept the shipment on behalf of the Queen Mother for delivery to the Queen’ Elizabeth Children’s Hospital in London.-- ’’ ■ A documentary film bn the history ■of the frozen meat industry, produced by .Pacific Films, will be premiered on the day. Public screenings will be shown at later dates around the country. -- The first shipment of frozen meat dispatched on the Dunedin took 98 days to reach its destination.

Today, however, the same distance can be covered in three weeks. Because of the difference in time, celebrations will not begin in London until May 20. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will attend a ceremony at New Zealand House in honour of the event.

The reception will be hosted by the centenary committee which represents the Meat Board, the New Zealand Freezing Companies Association and the New Zealand-United Kingdom Shipowners Committee.

British politicians and trade leaders are expected to be present. Other receptions include a dinner the Prime Minister. Mr Muldoon, will hold at the Beehive on February 18 The Corporation of the

City Of London, with the Lord Mayor present, will host a special dinner on February 10. Also, planned later in the year are receptions organised by the Meat Board in North America and Japan.