SOUTH OTAGO FREEZING WORKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 11

SOUTH OTAGO FREEZING WORKS

A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE. A good many years ago a few of the most enterprising residents in the Clutha district, realising the immense capabilities of the land for fattening stock, came to the conclusion that the establishment of freezing works in the locality would be a step in the right direction. Proposals with this end in view were made from time to time, but apparently the influence of a dominating personality was not behind them, and nothing tangible resulted until Mr James Smith, of Greenfield, took the question up. In a letter to the Clutha Leader, some 14 years ago, Mr Smith strongly advocated the erection of works, and his argument was vigorously supported by the Hon. D. T. Fleming, with the result that before long the project took definite shape, a provisional directorate being formed to push the matter along. The company was floated with a capital of £75,000 in shares of £5 each. At first the issue was taken up slowly, but when the works were fairly established and the farmers in the district learned to appreciate that it was to their interest to support the concern, the shares were taken up much more readily. A meeting of the provisional directors was held on May 4, 1910, and the statutory meeting of shareholders took place in the following September. An area ot about 22 acres of land at Finegand, about two miles from Balclutha, was purchased as a site for the works, and building operations were put in hand as quickly as possible. The works were opened in 1912, and the results of operations since then have amply justified the formation of the company. At first provision was made for killing only sheep, and storage space was provided for about 40,000 freight carcases. About two years later, however, the company decided to handle beet also.

At the commencement of operations the land, buildings, and plant were valued at £44,000, but so rapid has been the growth of the company that additions have been made wliich have increased the value to well over £IOO,OOO. The storage capacity lias been increased from 45,000 to 200,000 freight carcases. The killing capacity of the works is 2500 sheep and 60 cattle per day, and an export slaughterman can easily earn 30s or more per day. Until the end of 1917 the company also froze rabbits, 34,000 crates of which, representing nearly 1,000,000 rabbits, were handled, but owing to lack of space this branch of industry had to be abandoned.

A sausage-casing department, said to be one of the most, up-to-date of its kind in New Zealand, was added to the plant about 1919.

The operations of the company are mainly confined to freezing on account of clients, practically no stock being purchased. About five years ago, as a result of the high price and increasing shortage of timber, the company purchased a block of good milling bush about four miles from the works, and installed a .saw-mi 11ing plant, thus ensuring a constant supply of timber at a greatly reduced rate.

Practically all the machinery' is driven by electricity, which is generated at the works. About 10,000 gallons of water are consumed per hour, and this is obtained from a bore about 40 feet deep.

The total number of employees is about 130, exclusive of the office staff, and accommodation is provided for the single men by the erection of a number of little cottages fitted with the latest conveniences. —- i ■ 1 "■ —»«