WAIKATO DISTRICT HEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7408, 17 August 1885, Page 3

WAIKATO DISTRICT HEWS.

[from odr own correspondents. Hamilton, Saturday. In consequence of a representation made by Mr. T. G. Sandes, that to his knowledge at least two tenders would come from Waikato, the Minister for Public Works has ordered that plans and specifications of the Te Kuiti section of the Worth Island Trunk line shall be on view at Hamilton. Although there was a diversity of opinions expressed at the meeting of the proposed Meal Tinning Company for Waikato yesterday, as to the extent of the works to be entered into, and whether a new company should be formed, or the work be undertaken by the machinery of the already existing Cooperative Association, there was but one opinion as to the necessity of establishing a meat-tinning factory for Waikato. Some wore of opinion that it was the duty of the Auckland Meat Freezing Company, considering the large amount of support they have received from Waikato, to put up tinning and canning works here, and so relieve the settlers of the task altogether. To meet the views of this section, represented by Mr. John Fisher, of Pukerimu, Messrs. Seddon and Barugh, and Captain Steele, large shareholders in the Freezing Company, were deputed to write at once to ascertain what the directors woulddo in this matter. Mr. Fisher, however, was the most earnest to insist that the canvass for starting the company should go on briskly meantime. A question had been raised outside as to whether there is really any large amount of surplus stock in Waikato. It is said that cow-keepers have destroyed the calves during the last two years as not, being worth the rearing, and that this, together with the spaying of cows and heifers, has left the district almost denuded of yearlings aud two-year olds, so that after this year the stock of three-year-olds to fatten for beef will be oven below the ordinary demand. That there is no truth in this statement may be inferred from the fact that last season the Te Akau station alone reared eleven hundred calves, and that the manager of the Auckland Agricultural Company speaks of 150,00 as the number of calves expected to be reared by them. The nou-roarers of calves has been confined to sellers of milk immediately around the cheese factories, and even in their case it does not follow that the calves were destroyed as more probably they were bought and reared by settlors further away who had not the facilities for aouding their milk to a factory. The wholesale value of tinned meat for export, for the only reliable market of any extent must be outside tho colony, is almost another matter of concern. Captain Steele made a very pertinent remark as to that in the absence of detailed information, when ho stated that the Chicago tinning factories paid six cents per pound live weight for the cattle, and made it pay. It was privately stated, however, by a gentleman in Hamilton yesterday, that one of the Southern meat companies had placed :*jere tinned meats on tho Eneliih market at S£d per lb., though 7Ad w— ated at the meeting by Mr. Jackson as a reliable estimate. As to the diversity of opinion on the quest""** of capital required, there is little doubt -at the estimates of expei?- are excessive »3 regards

the buildings. A first-class plant must be procured, and admittedly this, with freight and cost of erection added, will : reach a sum of £2500, but £2000 for wooden buildings is simply an absurdity. Professional estimates for these and for a company are always extravagant and very difficult from what an individual would make shift with were he erecting them as his own private speculation. Our cheese factories have learned this by experience, and it is to be hoped the next, tinning company will not cripple itself in like manner. Then, as regards the working capital, as Captain Steele said, the greater portion of that can be financed. A butcher buys cattle on three months' bills, and surely the company could do the same.. Tinned meat is not like cheese, which remains a season on hand before it is saleable, but as soon as the tins of meat are filled and packed they are ready for export, and can be drawn against. With economy in the construction of buildings and with the credit such a, company could, com** mani, a capital of considerably less than £10,000 should ba ample.