THE COOL STORES

Southland Times, Issue 22485, 21 January 1935, Page 4

THE COOL STORES

DEMONSTRATION AT BLUFF LARGE CROWD ATTEND. (From Our Correspondent.) On Saturday a large number of Southland farmers journeyed by special train to Bluff at the invitation of the Southland Cool Stores directorate to inspect the stores and spend an afternoon at the port. The train was well patronized, while in addition many came by private cars to be present at the function. The visitors were received by Mr Dunlop, chairman, and his fel-low-directors and Mr W. D. Palmer, secretary, and it was calculated that between four and five hundred people were present when proceedings opened in the cheese department, among the gathering being the Mayor of Bluff (Mr T. F. Doyle), Mr W. A. Ott (chairman of the Bluff Harbour Board) and Mr R. N. Porter (representing the board’s staff) who were present also at the invitation of the Cool Stores directorate. Mr W. T. Walker, manager at Bluff, and his staff had all arrangements for the reception well in hand, with seating accommodation provided in the cheese rooms, and the works throughout were in a trim condition which earned many eulogistic comments from the guests. In extending a welcome to the gathering, Mr Dunlop said that the function had been arranged with the idea of giving factory managers and suppliers an opportunity of making the outing a holiday at the port and at the same time enabling them to see the methods used in receiving and handling products in the stores which they themselves owned. He expressed his pleasure at seeing such a fine response to-the directors’, invitation and urged all present to make a full inspection of the stores. Mr Dunlop then called on the Mayor to address the gathering. • His Worship welcomed (he visitors on behalf of the townspeople; Such visits, he said, were of value in establishing understanding and friendly relations between those who worked farms and the workers of cities and towns. Bluff people were deeply sensitive to the difficulties confronting farmers to-day in common with other classes of the population. There could be no doubt the former were faced with many problems and it was a significant fact that while production in New Zealand had increased enormously, the producer was receiving less for his labour. For instance, in 1911 the price of cheese was 5J d a lb f.o.b. at Bluff and the pay out to farmers was elevenpence to a shilling per lb of butterfat. To-day the former was the same while the pay-out was sevenpence to ninepence per lb. Many factors had to be taken into consideration in arriving at the cause of this disparity. Possibly in those days the Southland Cool Stores did not pay the Railways Department £2500 per annum for freight on produce from Cool Stores to ship’s side as is done npw. Mr Doyle commended the directors for enabling farmers to see the facilities provided for the efficient handling and storage of their produce, from which, no doubt, the visitors would benefit by the inspection. Continuing the speaker said that the Bluff Harbour Board had under consideration a comprehensive scheme for remodelling the facilities and shipping accommodation of the port and in his opinion, as a member of the board, the time was opportune for the carrying out of these necessary improvements. If any reduction in sea freights was to be obtained it was only right that up-to-date facilities and accommodation should be provided for the quick despatch of Vessels using the port. It must be remembered that shipping companies spent in excess of a million pounds in providing speedy new ships,' fitted out with the latest appliances for carrying cargoes to overseas markets; but while the shipping companies were undoubtedly doing their jobs local bodies, including the Bluff Harbour Board, were inclined to lag behind. He (the speaker) believed the time was ripe for the carrying out of the board’s new wharf scheme. Thousands of men were seeking employment and everything possible should be done to facilitate quick and efficient despatch of produce so as to secure some reduction in overhead costs. His Worship regretted that the wharf was clear of shippingotherwise the visitors could have seen their produce handled on the waterfront. In conclusion, he hoped they would find a lot to interest them in Bluff and would take away with them pleasant recollections of their sojourn at Southland’s port. Mr Dunlo \ chairman of directors of the Southland Cool Stores, thanked Mr Doyle for the warm welcome extended to the visitors. Continuing, he said that members of his directorate to a man were behind the Bluff Harbour Board in the matter of a new wharfage scheme. There was .. time when the company he represented was the board’s largest debtor—owing 'n _ the vicinity of £lO,OOO. Now the position was changed and those responsible for the Cool Stores would like very much to take up some of the board's debentures in the loans for the proposed new works. Mr Dunlop thanked the Bluff Borough Council for making Argyle Park available tc the visitors and the Harbour Board for so kindly allowing the tug Awarua to be used for harbour excursions He then called on the chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr W. A. Ott to address the gathering. Interesting Figures.

Mr Ott welcomed the zisitors and expressed pleasure at the interest they were taking in Southland’s port. Tn order to enable the port to proceed with any harbour improvement scheme, the. Board required the -loyal support of all Southlanders, in regard to exports and imports, both of which, he emphas.zed, should pass through the Bluff. The more trade secured the better would be the facilities provided by the Board. “Although at times subjected to criticism for having done nothing in regard to port facilities at Bluff for year's past, the present Board is very keenly aware of its responsibilities in this regard/’ Mr Ott .said, “and the following gives some idea of what has been accomplished recently and what the Board has in view:

A new tug, the most powerful in Australasia purchased at a cost of 44.000 and this is now available for handling the large and up-to date vessels which visit the port and is giving every satisfaction. The main wharf has been flush-decked to enable Southland’s dairy produce to be handled expeditiously and without damage and Thompson’s patent automatic spring shunting switches installed, to facilitate the loading of vessels. Cost 1870 The western railway approach to the main wharf is being strengthened, • redecked and all bolts renewed for the greater safety of cargo. Estimated to cost 2500 Dredge Murihiku thoroughly overhauled in anticipation of a heavy dredging programme and and is at present engaged enlarging the swinging basin for the better handling of large vessels. This programme, together with the commencement of the reclamation at the tankage area will this year cost approximately • 8000 The question of augmenting the water supply at Bluff was a serious one and has had the attention of Board members for

some considerable time. An ■ additional supply has been brought in from South-west creek and this, together with the new sin main from Slaney Street to the wharf will cost approximately 2400 The improvement of . the water was also a grave problem but the very latest water filtration plant has now been installed at. the reservoir and the quality of the water supplied to shipping is giving every satisfaction, Cost 2500 Additional beacons have been erected in the harbour from time to time for safer navigation costing approximately 2000 To meet the present day requirements of importers flush decked runways have been provided on the main wharf to enable motor cars on wheels to be safely landed and expeditiously handled. Additional shelter sheds have been erected on the main wharf and better facilities given for the handling of passengers’ luggage from the in-ter-colonial steamer, and with as little inconvenience as possible to the travelling public. 230 The ferry wharf rails were " altered so that the smaller coastal vessals could be worked expeditiously—this is now proving satisfactory. Cost 1500 Provision of five mooring dolphins at a cost of 1500 Total £69,000 Number of direct steamers to Bluff from overseas in 1934 was 21. Number of vessels working the port of Bluff for twelve months ended September 30 was: , No. Coastal 348 Inter-colonial 70 Overseas 56 Total ■ v. ‘ 474 < Total value of exports from Bluff for 12 months ended September 30, 1934, £3,038,623, of which cheese was £637,370, and butter £56,235, while lamb, mutton and beef amounted to £1,069,340. . Mr T. C. Brash, secretary of the Dairy Control Board/ Wellington, expressed ■ his pleasure at being present at a function which must be of ,bene-> fit to all concerned; Continuing, the speaker said that some time ago unfavourable comment had been caused in Southland by the railing of a quantity of Southland cheese to Port Chalmers. There was a reason for this proceeding, however. The board was extremely reluctant to have produce carried'from one- port to another; , but supplies to London had to be regulated and in the case -under discussion it was found that if the ship had come to Bluff from Port Chalmers it would have meant a loss of time in forwards ing the produce to the Home market. The board was satisfied it was infinitely better to ship from the port of origin in accordance with the board’s policy of regular supplies to the London market. Had this course been followed with that particular consignment, however, a market would have been lost and so the deviation had been made for the benefit of producers generally. An interesting • demonstration was then given by Mr W. Grant, chief cheese grader (Christchurch) who explained the different bodies which go to the make-up of a good cheese. Mr Grant also outlined the suggested causes of cracked' and open cheeses, his remarks being followed with keen attention by all present. A comprehensive inspection of the stores was then carried out Mr Walker had all departments ready, and Messrs A. Mathieson and J. C. Thomson, of the permanent staff, acted as guides, explaining in detail everything in connection with handling, storage and shipping. The guests expressed themselves as highly pleased with all they had seen and with'the efforts made on their behalf by the directors and staff. Afterwards there was a general exodus to the various picnic places in the town. A large number availed themselves of the Harbour Board’s invitation to make a trip in the Awarua, so many, in fact, that a second cruise was necessary. In the evening the visitor's left Bluff well satisfied that a pleasant and profit-, able time had been , spent at the port.