NORTHERN QUEENSLAND BOILING. DOWN WORKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 6

NORTHERN QUEENSLAND BOILING. DOWN WORKS.

Although the boiling down of cattle and sheep may be said to be an industry of the past in this nolony, it cannot be forgotten that for some years after the freezing process had been engaged in, the boiling-down works continued in operation, as it was found that inferior qualities of stock and culls could be utilised in that way when otherwise of no marketable value. It was ascertained, also, by numerous experiences of shippers of frozen meat that the net returns from consignments exceeded at best but by very little what could have been realised for the animals in the local markets, for conversion into tallow. During the time referred to the equipments of the boiling establishments were of the rudest description, and as there is just the possibility of a compulsory revival of the boiling-down process because of a depression in prices of frozen and preserved meats, a description of one of the several " meat works," as they are termed, recently erected in Northern Queensland for the purpose of turning to profitable account the surplus stock in remote parts of that colony, may prove interesting to stockowners in this. The description of the Dalgonally Meat and Extract Works on the banks of the Norman river in Northern Queensland is published in a recent number of the Queensland^, and the following abridged particulars from which will convey an idea of the resources of the country in cattle, and the magnitude of one establishment intended for the utilisation of a considerable portion of them.

The Dalgonally works on ordinary occasions" can put through from 200 to 250 head of cattle per day (of 12 hours), but should necessity arise they would be capable of putting through 400 head per day (of 24 hours). On the 7th of June a mob of 1200 head was being dealt with, to be followed by another numbeiing 6000, and a third from Fort Constantino numbering 20,000 head. Largo numbers from other stations were booked in addition, averaging from 3000 down to 200 head, and although the season was somewhat advanced, it was estimated the works would put through between 40,000 and 50,000 head of cattle before ceasing operations for the summer. The cattle and slaughtering yards are of course of very large dimensioas. The hido and cutting-up shed is 86ft by 100 ft and 20ft high to the wall plate. The floors are all cemonted. From the slaughtering yard the carcase is run into the cutting-up shed by means of an overhead tramway, and then by tramway to a lift and up to the first floor, where the digesters are. The dimensions of the several buildings are as follows — viz., cutting-up shed, 36ft to 45ft by 16ft high to the wall plates ; coopers' shed, 100 ft by HOf fc by 26ft high to the wall jplates ; the main .building covering the machinery is 100 ft by 110 ft by 26ft high to the wall plates ; the boiler shed is 30ft by 40ft and 16ft high. There are also two large two-storey stores, each 60ft by 25ft. A largo blacksmith's and carpenter's shop is also near the main building. About 100 yds from the works a large and substantial wharf has been erected on the banks of the Norman river, the depth of water abreast being 10ft at low tide, and a tramway is laid down connecting the works with the wharf. The boiling portion of the apparatus employed consists of five digesters, which are each 12ft high by sft 6in in diameter. They are made of 7-16 in steel plates, and tested up to 1401b, fitted with perforated cast-iron plates and 2in steam and water steam inlet valves with 2in outlet valves on the top, fitted with a 2in tallow cock and safety valve weighted to blow off up to 601b to the square inch. Steam guage and extra large cast-iron charging doors. From these digesters the tallow is then run into a shoot, which conveys it into the refiners, there being five in number of the following, dimensions : — 6ft in diameter and Bft deep, the inside fitted with steam coils. Thence the tallow runs into a large storage tank 10ft long by 4ft wide and 2ft 6in in depth. From this tank it is then pumped by steam through the tallow refrigerator, which consists of 400tt of 2in piping coiled inside a tank or drum, 6ft high and 6ft in diameter, through which cold water is circulated, thus keeping the tallow iv constant motion until completely cooled, and when cooled it is put into the casks. It must be mentioned that this refrigerating cooler is an entirely new invention which bids fair to be a great success both in saving or time and labour. The boilers in connection with the works are two multitubular 45-b.orse power, 14ft long by 7ft 6in in diameter, with domes 7ft long by 2ft 6in diameter, with the usual fittings of a very substantial character. The boiler plates are of -gin steel, and set m brickwork in such a manner that the gases from the furnaces pass first through the tubes and then along both sides and back underneath, thus making use of all available heating surface of_ the boilers. Boilers so set effect a very considerable saving in the consumption of coal. The erection of the Dalgonally works has been undertaken because the cattle owners of Northern Queensland expect better and more rapid returns for the stock than if travelled long distances to Brisbane and Townsville for freezing. It is anticipated there will be the further benefit experienced in that there will be a large reduction in the numbers of inferior stock, and that a much improved state of cattle breeding will be brought about.