HOW A GREAT TRADE BEGAN

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 172, 9 April 1923, Page 6

HOW A GREAT TRADE BEGAN

FIRST SHEEP FROZEN FOR EXPORT

SENT FROM SOUTH ISLAND

The answer to a correspondent who has asked Tub Dominion when and by whom tho first sheep were frozen for export from New Zealand is that the first sheep “refrigerated” in tho Dominion fior the Houw export Iwere those killed and frozen by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company (of Edinburgh origin), which, learning of the success of experiments in such “goods” from South America and Australia resolved to try what could be done in New Zealand. Mr. W. S. Davidson, who became general manager of tho company in 1879, investigated the matter, and on his reports tho directors authorised tho expenditure of £lOOO on tho new idea. It was Bell and Coleman who fitted up the sailing ship Dunedin (Captain Whitson) with refrigerating machinery, Mr. Coleman giving the directors the assurance that if tho carcasses wore hard frozen they would not deteriorate on the long voyage of 100 to 120 days. The Dunedin, 1200 tons, was selected as she was considered to bo one of the fastest of tho Albion Company’s vessels then running to New Zealand. Mr. Davidson sent instructions to Mr. James Brydone. tho company’s superintendent in New Zealand, to erect a killing shed and obtain butchers, and in every way to prepare for tho coming of the ship. Under Mr. Brydone’s direction a. slaughterhouse was erected on the company’s Totara Estate, near Oamaru.

It was, decided to freeze on board, so the slaughtered sheep were railed to Port Chalmers and frozen on board the ship as she lay alongside the wharf. Tho actual freezing work was entered upon on December 7, 1881, when Mr Davidson and Mr. Brydone personallv stowed the first sheep ever frozen for export in New Zealand. As a matter of fact, however, that particular sheep was never exported, for on December 11 a flaw in the engine’s main crank shaft developed into a fracture, and the recasting of tho shaft stopped the work, and compelled the company to sell the 641 sheep then in the vessel’s freezing chambers. » So it came about that the first sheep frozen for export were consumed by New Zealanders in New Zealand. Repairs were at length effected, and the loading was completed on February 11, 1882. The ship sailed on February 15 and arrived in London after a voyage of 98 days, during which tho machinery had worked steadily. Though Captain Whitson was plainly worried about the state o f his then novel cargo, an examination showed that it was quite sound, and. its sale at Smithfield was at once arranged for. Tho cargo consisted of 3521 sheep and 449 lambs, belonging to the Land Company, and 939 sheep shipped by outsiders. The Marlborough was the next vessel fitted with refrigerating machinery, and she and tho Dunedin made half a dozen successful voyages, but eventually both were lost at sea within six weeks of each other, and were never heard of again. It was assumed that they had collided with, icebergs in rounding Cape Horn.