CHEESE STORAGE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3122, 28 June 1917, Page 6

CHEESE STORAGE

A KNOTTY PROBLEM NEXT SEASON'S PRODUCE ' HARBOUR BOARD PROPOSAL A phase of the problem of propprlv storing cheese which might have to awai't shipment here in the coming season was discussed by tho Wellington Harbour Board last night. The board's engineer, Mr. .). March, banks, presented the following report—' "With reference to the suggestion that, on account of,the piobable shortage of ships next season, temporary cool storage for cheese awaiting shipment should bo built to store an additional 50,000 crates 1 understand that tho Agricultural Department would in all probability cominumciite. with the board' on the matter but up to,the time of writing no communication has been received. I however, at the request of Mr. W. Ferguson, chairman of the Efficiency. Board, discussed the position with him, and at his request have prepared sketch plans and estimates of a temporary store adjoining the board s cheese store. "Duriii" our conversation I pointed out that a considerable expenditure would be incurred if a temporary building was erected and that it could hardly.be expected that the board would agreo to provide it. Mr. V'ergusoß apparently thought that tho board might build the store and recoup itself from the charges made; this, however, is, I think, not possible. The plan provides for a temporary store 196 feet long by 120 feet, .wide, _tp' ocoupv the .whole of tho vacant land adjoining the Is store. Provision is made for insulatiii" the walls and ceiling; the door is of earth covered with, tar asphalto, the roof is- of timbpr covered with R.O.K. roofing, Storage for 45,000' crates could bo given if the crates were stacked five high, and for, say, 51,000 crates if stacked six high.

The Estimated Cost. "I estimate the cost at approximately •£(3500, and 'if sufficient .' labour anil material is available the time occupied in construction would be about four' months. Alternative plans of apartiallvpcrmanont building on the same site havo also been prepared. In this v caso tho permanent walls are in brick, carried on a concrete piled foundation, and carried up sufficiently high to take a temporary timber roof; provision is made for intho ceiling but not the walls. I estimate that the cost of the building, as shewn un the plan, would amount to apA, proximately .£II,OOO, of which ■'amount •£3500 to.JHOOO would bo of no value for the permanent store.. If piles arc procurable, it would, I estimate,-'take about six, months to erect. With regard to tho proposal to utilise Pipitea Storo No. 1 as a cool stare,, to make it elTecrivo an inflated ceiling (which would have to be carried on, columns) and insulation of all the wide doorways would be required, and, also an insulated oml bulkhead in the westcqi end of tho building... To provide for cooling, ammonia, pipes could bo carried in an insulated boxing from tho engine-room in 7, store to a cold air battery which would havo to bo trail!; in Pipitea Store No. 1. This battery would havo to be furnished with a fifh and motor, which might be difficult to procure on short notice. The battery would bo expensive to build and would not bo of very much value when dismantled. Further, if there is a.'shortage of vessels, Store No. 1 will ,most likely bo required for the storage ,of'outward cargo. If tho installation was to bo permanent the proposal would be worth considering, but for temporary use*l hardly think it will be advisable to fit up this biiildingj as a cool storo for cheese".

What the Board is Willing to Do. Tho chairman of tho board (Mr. C. E. Daniell) said the indications wove thnt there would bo a shortage of cheeso storage accommodation this coming season. Tho proposal about to be put to the board was an emergency one, and it was felt that tho industry which would benefit should bear a'fair share of tho cost. Ho .moved:~ "That .with regard to the Agricultural Department's suggestion that the board should immediately construct a temporary additional cool . store for the storage of cheese unable to bo shipped owing. to the abnormal shortage of vessels, the board, whilst recognising with the Department that the project is to a largo extent speculative, is yet prepared lo proceed at once -with the work, on . condition that the board receives a cash subsidy equal to one- < half the estimated cost (',£0500), or say. .£3250. ~---.. "Further, that the chairman and tho .engineer-, of the board .bo empowered to. confer with, the Agricultural Department, and to take action, on'the above lines." Mr. It. Fletcher asked what the shortage of storage would bo in the coming season., - v.. .

The chairman' said it was assumed that they would have to deal with 50,000 cases of- cheese more than tbe'y now ha,d room for. His contention was that the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture should pay half the cost. The board was trj'ing to give tho Department a lead, and if it was not accepted the duty would fall on someone else. Mr. K. Fletcher seconded the resolution. Would the Store Pay the Board? Captain C. M'Arthur asked what the cheese, exports from Wellington totalled in a year. Tho secretary said that for the twelve months ended September 30 last' -J 1,423 tons were shipped from the port, of Wellington. Thac quantity included transhipments. Mr. Cobbe suggested that Mr. J. (.1. Harkncss could give the 'board information on the subject. Sir. Harkness said that so far "as could be judged the ■ shipping facilities would be worse this season than last, and. therefore, there might be great congestion. As to the. proposal before the meeting, the store would be a good paying proposition.

.Mr. Fletcher: The cjucstion is whether the Agricultural Department should not pay something of the expense. Mr. Hurkness: L am'not complaining of that. I say the board is going to make a good proiit from the store The chairman said llia,t. the 'board would spend on cheese storage .£II,OOO when machinery was included. Jlr. Harkness said that lor the twelve months ended April 30, 1!)17, 138,516 crates of cheese passed through here. Those figures did not iuohule transhipments'. Wellington was becoming the biggest cheese pent in the Dominion. The number of crates referred to above would represent tons, which at u storage charge of 7s. per ton would return the board JMO3G. Captain M'Artbur: AVill they pay thai? Mr. Harhness: Undoubtedly they will. They cannot, get away from 'it. The motion was carried.