SOUTH OTAGO FREEZING WORKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3396, 16 April 1919, Page 14

SOUTH OTAGO FREEZING WORKS.

A PROGRESSIVE COMPANY. The operations of the company, whose works ars at Finnegard. about two miles out of Balclutha, are confined to freezing on account of clients, practically no stock whatever being purchased, Tho works are open to big or small clients alike,-and by encouraging them to put their stock, through the company's—or, correctly speakir.g, their own—works the farmers are always sure of getting market value. The land, building, and plant at the commencement of operations were valued at £44,000,, and at the present time, so rapid has been the growth of the company, add> tions have been made that have increased the value to about £IOO,OOO, and the storage capacity has been increased from 45,000 to 200.000 "freight cases. Ic 1816 the demand for space became so organs xhat it was decided to launch offife ins fciff extensions to brine the stor-sire eapjwijy ss» to Xiis.QOQ froichr cases;, assd in| WL% tss/amg; fta she aeafe shewtasM In space-,, m was resolved to aIM a. ifearsiec BzateiC- & total of ivkucss, imCO* thighs, _ 4 representative <£ iscs- Otagro Da%xam« who was cesHrinotvd <wesr sh-s wasria fey 4s* secretary (Mr Moor*} w»s maqgsresassil wrth tho very etartplel!© or£aiti£*MWMa waten appears to soveru every etepartaes*, so that the maximum residt i* eb.iMs:sed with the minimum of effort. The venule budding from end to end, upstairs and downstairs, was a veritable hive of industry. Commencing at the slaughtering department, where a board of 14 men were engaged, a neverending stream of sheep and lamb carcases was scurrying off to tho freezing chamber*, there to remain for 48 hours before being placed in tho company's stores Ihe kiiluii? capacity is 2500 slieep and 60 head of cattlo but in spite of tho bis: wages earned bv the butchers—expert men earn 30s and over per day-the company is at present working IS men short of a full board. . A hurried visit was paid to the freezing rooms, but as the temperature equalled the equivalent to 25deg of frost the, visit was Sot prolonged unnecessarily. It is interesting to note that the air m the stores Is cooled by direct expansion, and m the freezing chambers by air circulation. Tho fellmongery department was a scene of animation, and it appeared as if the men were out to break records. Yet withal there was an entire absence of and everything seemed to work hke clocJcwork right from the inrtaal P"»?f a ,, « separating the wool from the pelt until they were finally baled and casked repectively, An interesting, if not. altogether pleasant, five minutes was spent in tho tallow department, where a large digester separates the tallow from the offal, the tallow being then graded. The offal is conveyed to the manurial department, which for obvious reasons is easily located, and, although it is said to be a particularly healthy spot to move in, it seems to be health somewhat dearly bought. Three kinds of manure are treated—flesh, blood, and bone. With regard to the last-named the raw material has been sold up to the present, but arrangements have now been made to install a plant for mixing, and the product will then be sold direct to the farmers. A sausage casing department, said _ to be one of the most up-to-date of its kind in tho dominion, has reentry been added to the company's works. , Until two years ago the _ company a activities also included the freezing of rabbits, 34,000 crates—representing nearly 1,000,000 rabbits— having been handled up to the end of 1917; but, owing to the I** of space, the company's doors have been closed to brer rabbit for the past two seasons. , , , ~ All tho casks, boxes, and crates used for packing purposes are made at the works. Owing to the high price and the increasing shortage of timber, the directors of the company recently purchased a block o! good milling bush about four miles from tho works, and installed a sawmilling plant, thus ensuring a constant supply of suitable timber at a greatly reduced rate. The following table shows the quantity

of stock handled since the opening of the ■works until the end of August, 1918:

The reduced quantity in 1917-18 is accounted for by the unfavourable season experienced. During the present season 30,000 sheep and lambs and 2500 head of cattle have passed through the works; making a total of 669,163 sheep and lambs and 21,482 head of cattle handled to date. This fives a indication of the progress made y the company, and it should also be Stated that during the past three years the oompany has paid dividends of 5 per cent., 6 per cent., and 6 per cent, respectively. During the flood of May, 1917, the water entered tne machinery room, and, although the damage done was slight, the directors of the company decided to leave nothing to chance in future, and a strong protective embankment was erected close to the works. During the recent devastating flood in the Chitha Valley, the new embankment was fiven a thorough test, and came out with ying colours, the bank sustaining no damage, and not a drop of water entering any portion of the works. t ■ Practically all the machinery is electrically driven, the electricity beinpr generated ■ at the works. By sinking a bore about 40ft a constant supply of pure water has been obtained, and the value of this cannot be Over-estimated when it is stated that the consumption of water at the works is 10.000 gallons per hour. The total number employed in the company's operations, excluding the office staff, is about 130, and accommodation has been provided for the single men by erecting a number of little cottages, which are fitted up with the latest conveniences. That the works have thoroughly justified their existence admits of no contradiction. 'All th« latest labour-saving devices that might facilitate the operations of the companv have been installed, and with capable business men, such as those who control the company'3 activities, fts future prospects appear to be of the brightest.

Sheep. Lam be. Cattle. Rabbits. 1911-12 ... 4,997 21,646 — — 1912-13 ... 19,265 63,837 — 9,145 1913-14 ... 10,909 50,916 682 9,118 1914-15 ... 55,179 72,193 4,890 — 1915-16 ... 44.867 78,691 6,898 11,562 1916-17 ... 59,648 69,243 4,492 34,135 1917-18 ... 47,798 39,974 2,020 —