A FROZEN HEAT TRUCK.

Evening Star, Issue 10398, 20 August 1897, Page 3

A FROZEN HEAT TRUCK.

An interesting exhibition was given in the machinery court of the Agricultural Buildings this afternoon, when there was a large attendance of members of the Legislature and business men connected directly and indirectly with the frozen meat industry. The exhibition was in the form of a trial of Colvin’s patent frozen meat truck. JBy this truck it is claimed that the danger of damage to the sheep when frozen by contact with the outer air when in transit from the freezing works to the ship's hold will be reduced to a minimum. The truck is in the form of those at present in use, but instead of it running on wheels it is quite separate from this portion, aud is ore the box principle, and fits on to an ordinary railway truck. These boxes are so sized that, two go on each truck. At the works they are taken from the truck if necessary into the works and filled with the mutton in the freezing chambers, and then replaced on the •truck and taken to the wharf. Here they, are lifted with the ordinary cranes, and, instead of the meat being conveyed to the •atrip's chambers by means of shoots as at present, the whole affair Is lowered S>odily to the hold. It is here that the patent proper comes in. The bottom of the box is on hinges and held in position by two pins, which, when removed, allow the whole of the floor to open outwards, and the meat is thus deposited in £ho chamber wherever it is wanted, and the •work of stowage can then be done promptly «nd with the least possible delay. The inaula'tion of the meat boxes is on the latest approved principles. The trial this afternoon was very satisfactory. The boxes were filled with wooden blocks, lifted by means of a block and tackle from off the trolly, and then when the ground was ■reached the pins were struck with a hammer, thus- liberating the floor, and the contents dropped out in a heap. The contrivance gave general satisfaction, and various opinions were expressed, and it was generally conceded that Mr Colwin’s patent had much to recommend it. Air Colvin personally conducted the exhibition, and courteously and fully explained the working of the contrivance.