FREEZING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19415, 25 August 1926, Page 9

FREEZING INDUSTRY.

FARMERS' COMPANY'S REftORT OPERATIONS OF PAST YEAR. DIVIDEND OF SIX PER GENT. The course of the pastoral industry in the Auckland Province is indicated by the record of operations of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company during, the past season, as shown in its twentytsecoml annual report. The statistical statement shows, that the season, though not a record one in the production of dairy produce, closely approached the previous season's record figures, while the meat export business showed expansion in the lamb and mutton departments. There was, however, a substantial decline in cattle killings. The company's report gives details of dairy produce received at its stores since 1906. In that season 62,740 boxes of butter went into the refrigerator, against 1,571,502 boxes last season, as well as 162,742 crates of cheese. Last season's output of dairy produce was not quite equal to that of tho previous one, but the slight decline is accounted for by" cliifiatic conditions and does not presage any permanent restriction in the progress of the industry. Tho following table shows the receipts at the company's stores at fiveyear intervals, together with last 1 season's figures:— , , Year Ending Butter, Cheese. June 30, (boxes) (crates) 1906 .. 62,740 1910 . . 2(50,425 14,308 1915 .. 455.429 20,379 1920 491,771 161,891 1925 . . 1,656,021 133,441 1028 . . 1,571.502 162,742 Last season's figures for butter show a reduction Compared with the previous record season but the decline is only about 5 per cent. Cheese receipts show an increase over the previous year of about 22 per cent. Tho total decrease in butterfat production is about per cent. Frozen Meat Trade, Figures relating to tho frozen ■, meat trade show considerable fluctuation though immense progress has been made sinco tho establishment of the company in 1905. The following table shpws tho killings at the company's works at fiveyearly intervals, together with .last season's" figures:— Year Ending „ _' Juno 30. Lambs. Sheep, „ „Cattle. 1905 5.40-1 555 107 1910 60,073 8,294 8,904 1915 .. 117.181 95,8-12 21,076 1920 .. 50,836 9(5,013 , 22,693 1925 . . 130.404 16 278 15.2K1 1926 .. 115,242 23,100 0,163 The features of tho returns are, tho maintenance, of tho fat. lamb trade, a decline and partial restoration of the mutton trade and a decided decline in .the .frozen beef industry. Compared with the 1925 season both lamb, and mutton fillings show satisfactory increases, the former by 4838 and tho latter by 6824. The decrease in cattle by over Q0&0 is evidence of tho decline of the cattle herds of tho province. There was also a fairly substantial' docrease in tho numbers of pigs and "calves handled during the year, tho former 'showing a decline 'of • 2336 and the latter 2098. Tn regard to pigs it is probable, that tho efforts now being made to -encourage the export of frozen pork will lead to tho expansion of this department in the near future. ■ It is very evident, states the report, that tho.quantities of stock which fanners might reasonably be expected to kill at their ovm-works haivo not been ing: -,'lt jts realised that it, may; ibe» "found difficult to resist offers for stock. which specify its diversion to works other than those owned by farmers, but the final result'' of ' the acceptance of such a policy rnust riot be overlooked, . , ' Profits and Dividend. f '" Dealing with tho trading operations, the report states that tho profit for the year amounts to £8,582 8s 6d, which, with £5716 19s 2d brought forward from tho previous year, provides £12,299 7s 8d to bo dealt \Vith. -.v.; The directors recommend thovpaymcrifc of a dividend of 6 per cent, on tho paidup capital, which will absorb £11,935 and leave £364 7s 8d to be carried >forward. In making this recommendation,'■however, they call' attention to the fact that tho profits for the year do itot fullf provide the total amount required and it; is only after giving caroful consideration to tho position"" of the company and conditions affecting it that they feol recommending tho payment of a "'dividend this year. Tho directors to retire by rotation are Messrs. J. E Makgill. A. Orr ancl U. E. Worsp, Tliey have been nominated for re-election and as there are no other - nominations, have been duly elected. - Increased Storage Space,' The buildings and plant at each works have been maintained in an efficient condition, continues tho report. In-.the case of the - King's Whasf works an increased storage capacity has been- as. a result of a thorough overhaul of the older floors in tho original building. Tho new refrigerating maehino at tho same works has hcen in operation for some ..months and has added greatly to the freezing capacity and efficiency of tho plant. By tho romoval of tho old Haslam machine to the now engine room, and tho disposal of the Hercules machine, several new freezing rooms are being made availA* considerable quantity of butter was stored at Horotiu during the seustili, tho amount of produce available for "storage having excede'd the capacity of the King's Wharf and Southdown works. Fruit for storage was again handled in large quantities and also a considerable quantity for export, , The report and balance-sheet will be presented to the twenty-second ■ annual meeting of shareholders on September 24.