ICE AND STEAM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18801, 2 March 1923, Page 9

ICE AND STEAM

UNIQUE DOMINION ADVERTISEMENTS. MINIATURE FREEZING CHAMBER. (From Odb Own Correspondekt.) LONDON, January 9. At tho present time tiio two show windows of the High Commissioner's Office in the .Strand present two strangely contrasting pictures. On the one side the pedestrian public may see in miniature some of the wonders of tho thermal regions. Mud volcanoes bubble forth steam, and geysers play at intervals. As a background to this volcanic activity there is a very realistic painting of lake, Maori women at their washing and cooking over boiling springs, canoes, wliares, and bush-clad hills. This excellent painting was done by Captain Alfred Poarse, who was attached to Briga-dier-general C. W. Melvill’s headquarters during tho war, and who was artist for the Graphic during the grand tour of tho present King and Quecnsomo 20 years ago. Although lie was in New Zealand for two ■months only, he seems to have caught tho spirit of the natural scenery to perfection. As n contrast to this scene of boiling mud and steam there has now been set up a refrigerating chamber in the other window. Tor reasons of economy the Government hesitated for some time to acquire this installation, but tho Meat Producers’ Bqard, recognising its value as an advertising medium, consented to shajo half the cost. The structure is 12ft long, 10ft high, and 6ft in depth. It was built by Messrs L. Sterne and Co., Glasgow, who were responsible lor the installation of tho refrigerating machinery at the new stores at Albert Decks. The whole of the front of the chamber is of glass, and all the contents are visible from the street. Tho temperature is lowered by the ordinary C. 0.2 brine system, and the engine is also visible to tho public, who seem to take an interest in the frost that accumulates on tho pipe line from the compressor into tho chamber. AN EFFECTIVE PLANT. The engine is run by electricity and is practically silent. It requires to bo in motion for an hour or so each day. During last wee L-end, when it was stationary, the temperature only rose from 22deg Fall, to 30deg Fall.—that is, two degrees below freezing, so that no injury was done to tho contents of tho chamber. At the present time are within some half-dozen carcases of New Zealand lamb, and a quantity of beef, and the unusual sight keeps a solid but over-chang-ing mass of spectators on tho side walk. These, besides admiring the quality of dominion meat, may road of the salient facts of the frozen meat trade in New Zealand. After moat lias been displayed for some time, dairy produce will bo exhibited in the chamber, and by that time the apnle season will bo due, and it should be possible to make a very fine exhibition of the fruit. A thermometer hanging from the roof of the chamber is a source of neverfailing interest to the passers-by.