BACON-CURING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 9120, 4 June 1890, Page 3

BACON-CURING.

ELLESMERE. A meeting of the Provisional Directors of the newly-formed Canterbury Belfast Co-operative Bacon Curing Company was held in Spring’s Hotel, Leeaton, on Friday, June 2, at three o’clock. Me M. Jones in the chair. JJessra H. Phillips, C. and E. Withell, J. Rennie, D, .Cant, P. J. Henley, E. Ruddock, A. Webster, John Pay, W. Nixon, D. Scott (Brookside), W. Holley, S. Graham, J. M'Conkey, M. O’Srion, W. Kelly, W. Smyth, W. Fabling, H. Milner, G. M'Clure, John M'Lachbtn, J. Barnett, T. Fincham, T. Horg, R. M'llraith, 11. Hight, C. H. Willis, W. Moorhead and D. Buddo were sleo present. The Chairman explained how the membership of the Provisional Directorate, as sat forth in the prospectus, had been arrived at. He was advised by the solicitors that seven shareholders must sign the articles of association, but more might do so, only that would increase the expense of registration, &c. He pointed out that lit would be better for a . few to carry on the preparatory work until the permanent Directors were appointed.

Mr M'Laoblan asked that the names of those who had taken shares should be read by tfcie Secretary. After some discussion this was done, and showed that only some 350 shares had been subscribed for. Mr M'Lachlan then read a list of nearly one hundred names of those outside the district who had signified their intention of taking shares. The greater number of those whose names had been taken down at the original meeting would undoubtedly take up shares on being called upon. Correspondence was read from a number of persons applying for shares and offering to get subscribers, and from the solicitors of the Company giving general directions re tbe mode of procedure in signing the articles of association and registering the Company. The Chairman explained a discrepancy between the articles of association and the prospectus, with regard to the payment of calls. It was desirable that some two or three energetic men be appointed to canvass the district.

Mr John M'Lachlan said the Greenpark and Halawell farmers had asked him to meet them and explain the benefits of co-opera-tive bacon-curing. He had arranged to meet them in the schoolrooms of those places. Messrs J. Rennie and D. Buddo wore appointed to attend at Mr Chamberlain’s sale on Thursday and Friday, and forward the interests of the Company. Mr Buddo proposed—“ That Messrs P. J. Henley and John M'Lachlan should work the district round Leeston and Doyleston, Messrs C. H. Willis and E. M'llraith Southbridge, Little Eakaia and Lakeside, Messrs H. Hight and C. Withell Brookside, and Messrs G. M'Clure, A. Webster, and Thomas Hogg the Killinchy district.” This was agreed to, aud the meeting was then adjourned till that day week, at two o’clock.

. THE NORTH CANTERBURY FACTORY. [From cue Rangioba Coekesbond bnt.] ' Operations are now in full swing at the North. Canterbury Bacon-curing Company’s Factory, and the promoters ot the concern have every reason to be satisfied with the present success of their enterprise. A decided start was not made until the beginning of last week, although a few pigs were dealt with on the Friday and Saturday previous. Naturally enough when all things were made ready for the reception of the pigs, every farmer having a lot in condition was anxious to be first ; and in consequence the Directors had to make a hard and fast rule that shareholders’ pigs only should be dealt with, in order determined by priority of application for shares; five pigs only to be received for every two shares held. Such is the reward of those who applied early, and with a liberal spirit. Since the opening day the Secretary has been kept pretty busy answering the query, “ When can you take my.lot ? ” and in fixing up the reception list for the guidance of the Manager. The Directors have determined that every care possible shall be exorcised to produce a good quality of bacon, the Manager having been empowered to refuse heavy weights and pigs killed in unfavourable weather, except the owners are willing to have them cured on their own account. One lot of twenty odd killed in the Nor’-wester last week was rejected on behalf of the Company, and is now being cured at the owner’s risk. A few heavy weight lots have also been placed on one side. Up to Saturday last Mr Kennealy and his four assistants had dealt with close upon 300 pigs, and the premises where the curing operations are carried on have already assumed quite a business-like appearance. The Directors of the Company very wisely determined at the outset not to sink any of their capital this year in land and buildings, and to bo as economical as possible in tneir expenditure on plant, without, however, handicapping their curer m any way. Premises were easily obtainable at a low rental, but unfortunately there was no single building in the town large enough for tne purposes required. The two places now in use are nearly a mile apart, but very suitable for the work. The buildings on Mr J. Lilly’s property had previously been used for bacon curing purposes, and therefore required very little fixing up. The ■ other premises in use aro those belonging to Mr Buss, known as the “ Old Brewery,” situated on the Eangiora-Woodend road. This place, built of sun-driod bricks, is also very suitable for curing purposes. The arrangements for the weighing, hanging, and cutting up of the carcases are convenient and complete, although planned and fitted up in a hurry. So far there has been no difficulty about the disposal of heads, cuttings, &a., to the best advantage. It is, perhaps, a fitting opportunity for me to say a word or two with reference to Mr J. M. Watt’s reply to my article on the development of the bacon-cming industry. la opening, he says that, along with many others, I was evidently not aware that the Islington Company was amalgamated with the firms of Watt and Co. and T. H. Green—during the whole of last curing season. Small wonder at this, Isay, when even some of the own agents of the firms, who were consigning pork to them every day, were not made aware of the fact. As regards the prices, I stand corrected only so far as the first limit is concerned 5 and I was made aware of my error before Mr Watt pointed it oat. Knowing that my informant went to some trouble to obtain the prices from one of the Islington Company, I must still believe them to be correct, except in the one instance named.

With respect to the consignment of the pigs alive having been hitherto tolerated only because a large number of the northern farmers grow a small number of pigs, and, therefore, could not fill trucks, I would ask, are the farmers now in a better position to fill trucks, or to Jose on halt-filled trucks; or is it that the Islington Company considered their monopoly aufficienfcto induce the farmers to do the latter ? Mr Watt admits that pigs have been starved at the factory, causing loss to their owners, which the Company much regrets. If, as Mr Watt states, only a few farmers suffered, possibly the Company’s regret was shown in a practical form, and there was no just occasion for complaint. However, the instance I related was not to be compared to anything so small as a mote; nor was it stated that the farmer who suffered received any consideration for his loss. No wonder he made his grievance known.