MEAT TINNING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1756, 17 October 1887, Page 2

MEAT TINNING.

A] meeting was held in. the femoral Hotel, at Patea, on ftoday, rUthSipet., for the purpose of meeting' Mr. Oldfiam and hearing his views, relative to erecting meat tinning works on this coast. Unfortunately, tbe country settlers, with bnt very few exceptions, knew nothing about it, and as a consequence only six graziers were present at the meeting— a tolerably large one, "being" composed' chiefly of townspeople. - -- f * '. -,-r Mr. Lysaght was elected ' chairman ; . and Mr. Cowern, in.intro.ducing^Mr^Oldbam, gave a short resume* of tbe proposals as published in the Star a few. days ago, being in effect an undertaking to erect and carry on works' of' tinning, boiling, and possibly refrigerating, to thee%jtsnt of from 150 to. 200 's|)eep per day, on having a sum of £15Q0..p«id by way of bonus ; £500 to be paid on shipment of the first 100 caees of meat,' and the balance by half-yearly instalments of £250, payable on the agreed quantity of stock being converted. Mr. Cowern pointed on| that it was-^neoessary.to begin work on the lßt January,' and therefore no^tinriT would be lost, .as . buildings and plant wonld have to be prepared by that date. ." Mr. OJdbam said he had attended a similar meeting at Hawera, whea tbere was a great fight about the site! but it was impossible for him to dej cide that question at present, as there were so many things to consider, and so many places had been pointed out to him.' He had seen a Bite at Mokbia; which was suitable in very many wiys, bnt the annual haulage from ,• there would be about a thousand pounds per annum and must kill the concern. Another at Kakaramea was good, but there was co way of getting rid of the tailings, he had seen one at Hukatere, and thought he had fonnd the right place, but on looking into it found it would be impossible to get a railway- siding into it so that would not do. He had heard of other sites, but not having seen them could not give a decision, but be could not go very far away from tbe port of shipment as all the coßts, what ever they were, mnst come out of the growers pocket* ib the end. Ik was necessary to have a good: supply of running water as the great secret was cleanliness. If he had on assurance that the bonus wonld be forthcoming, he wonld erect the works at once, as he bad made enquiries, and fonnd that he could get the workmen he would require for the buildings. Mr. Oldham stated that he had % positive. order for what be had guaranteed. Replying to questions, he said that well water would do, but not for wool Bconring, and that would form a branch. of the works. He thought it was possible to sell skins just now more profitably than they could be worked up. The secret of the business was to keep, the premised clean, and that would be iaiposstble'witheut a good head of water. The water bills of all the companies as work are now a considerable item yearly.' H« did not tbiok he could do without cooling chain* bars. He could offer at tbe present rates ljdper 1b for sheep, and 10a per.lOOlbs for good beef, he to take alt <he : offaL Tbatwas only nominal; he could spring a little on that, rather than be beat. He reckoned tbe value of a case at Is, and a cask at 10a, and thought that a'manafio* turing company could make them cheaperthan he could have them made mt the' works. The above was a very low estimate. Mr. Lysaght wished the meeting to state what they were prepared to do down here. In Hawera nearly all subscribes* had made a difference in the amount of their subscriptions, according to the location of the works. He, however, thought it would be a pity to allow any feelings of jealonsy to enter into the matter at afl. Mr. R. A. Adams thought the matter of site ought not- to be considered. ' If that was permitted to enter" into the question, it would be fatal to the success of the scheme. ..--jIn answer to questions, Mr. Oldham said it would be quite optional with set* tiers how they disposed of their stock. They could either sell at per head on the farm, or at the works, or by dead cold weight on the premises. He did not hold out. hopes of very high prices, as. he thought somewhere about 10a per lQOlbs oold weight would be the price at present. He would be compelled to do salting as well, and he bad a market for tierce beef and also for prime joints. His tim« was short, as if he did not commence by the ldt January his order for meat was off. If assurance was given that the bonus would be raised, he would start at once. \ After some further conversational discussion, it was resolved that this meeting having- beard Mr. Olduam's proposal re erecting meat- tinning works, undertakes to co-operate with tbe Hawera meeting, and that the following gentlemen be canvassers to collect subscriptions: Messrs. R. A. Adams and W. Gowern (Patea town), W. Gower and J. Ross (Whenuakura), Wilson, Hair, Bremer, Nicholson, and Fißber (Waverley and Waitotara),; and Foqkes and Muir (Waverley town) ; to report to meeting on Saturday next. A telegram was read from Mr. Caverhill .giving the result of two canvassers' work in Hawera as follows : "My list, Hawera £250, Patea £100 ; Perry's list, Hawera £100, Patea £40 ; other list* not in." It was explained that the different figures meant tbe amount subscribed, it works were at Hawera or Patea respectively. Mr. Wilson spoke very strongly against such a feeling, and said if that was the feeling, the scheme was virtually killed, as any such jealousy must inevitably crash it. Mr. Wilson's remarks were mueb applauded. Mr. Lysaght agreed to allow his subscription to stand at £50 without reference to locality of the site, and a list was. at once started in the room, and £150 subscribed, Mr. Arundell placing £50 opposite his name and Mr. Christie £25. Messrs Gower and Wilson £20 each and several tens followed. A vote of thanks closed tbe proceedings.