THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 14 December 1916, Page 8

THE FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY

ITS INITIATION. (To the Editor.)

Sir,'-Referriiig to jour issue of the 14th ultimo, to your report of the opening '.of the freezing works at 'Wanganui, arid to the speeches of various on that occasion, there is evidently somo confusion as to the initiation of the frozen meat iudustry. It was stated among other things that the indusiry had its origin in the "Strathlevin'; shipment which left Melbourne at the end of 1879, or early m the year 1880; whereas in reality it originated with the shipment made by Jiuies Harrison, whioh left Melbourne in July of the year 1873. James Harrison, the pioiieer of the frozen meat trade, demonstrated at Melbourne that meat could be thoroughly frozen to the bone by his meat-freezing process, and kept m. a frozen stato for a period of over 80 days, by being packed in contact with ice made with his patent ice-mak-ing machine. Having thus demonstrated the possibility of freezing meat and keeping it in a frozen state for a lengthy period, he proceeded to erect a freezing chamber; similar to that constructed- by him on shore, in ■ the hold of the ship Norfolk. The frozen meat was conveyed on board and packed with ice in,the insulated chamber; precisely as had been done oh land. The Norfolk sailed from Sandridge Pier, Melbourne, • in July, 1873, and Harrison left with the ship, in charge of the frozen cargo. —I am, etc.,

li. A.- S. CANTRELL. High, Street, Dunedin. December 11, 1916.