FROZEN MEAT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 133, 23 July 1881, Page 4

FROZEN MEAT.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the export of frozen meat and dairy produce was recently held in Wellington. There were present — Mr. W. C. Buchanan (chairman), Sir W. Fox, Messrs. C. Pharazyn, A. McDonald, J. Stevens, J. Bull, Sherwill, J. Stuckey, and Fraser.

The following resolutions were carried unanimously : — (1) That it is desirable members of committees from every district, to consider the frozen meat question, should form a general committee to meet in Wellington from time to time. Five to form a quorum. (2) That the committee is of opinion tint, the first business of the general

committee should be to consider the desirability of forming a company to be called the Wellington Meat Export Company, to make immediate arrangements for supplying one or more cargoes next autumn, and for extending the business as far as possible. 3. That the General Committee concur with the resolution proposed by the Wairarapa Committee that the Committee consider it is advisable to form a company to export meat and dairy produce. The following leading features of the prospectus to be issued were framed and agreed to ; — Capital to be £20,000, in 4000 shares of £5 each, to be paid up as follows, viz., 10s. on application, 10s. on allotment, and the balance by calls not exceeding £leach at intervals of not less than three months. It is not expected that more than 50s. per Bhare will be called up for a considerable time. It is proposed to register the company as soon as 1000 shares are applied for. The company is to be formed for the purpose of shipping, and preparing for shipment, meat, butler, cheese, and other produce by the refrigerating or other processes. The promoters at present propose making arrangements for the shipment of as many cargoes as possible in the autumn of 1881. They consider that it would neither be possible nor advisable to erect extensive works ashore for freezing in time to be available for the first thiee cargoes. It will therefore, in their opinion, be necessary to make arrangements for making these first shipments in vessels with the appliances for freezing on board. The erection of the works will not be a matter for immediate decision. Time will thus be available for obtaining more definite information, and for taking advantage of the many improvements in the process which are certain to be made as the result of the experience gained by the shipments which are being made from Australia. The site or sites on which the works will ultimately be erected, it is not proposed at present to give any further consideration to, it being understood that the works shall be at such a point as will be most convenient to those districts which will export from the port of Wellington. It is proposed that the company shall have power either to purchase stock or ship on owners account, as may be found desirable. The prospectus will probably state that the trade is so completly in its infancy that it is difficult to foretell with any degree of accuracy what the ultimate developement may be The promoters have, however, sufficent evidence before them to prove -tbai-thatrade may be carried jon with every prospect of large profits being made on any purchases at the current rates for stock. The higher rates which will soon be established will, of course, indirectly be highly profitable to aft producers of the articles to be exported. The Hon. Matthew Holmes attended the meeting before its conclusion, and informed those present that there had been a great improvement lately in the machinery which is used in the refrigerating process. The meeting then adjourned. [Prospectuses have since been issued, and a large number of shares subscribed for, — Ed. Star.]