GRADING PORT FOR PATEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 219, 10 November 1900, Page 2

GRADING PORT FOR PATEA.

The Palea County, Press reports that a meeting of the executive of the Patea Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday evening (Nov. 2), to consider the question of cool storage and grading of dairying produce at Patea. Those present were Messrs. R. A. Adams (chairman), Kossiter, Keaworthy, G. D.Hamerton, Larcombe, Holloway.and Kiely. I The chairman introduced the matter,] and, in doing so, spoke as to the great [necessity for a grading port at Patea, and taking into consideration the fact that Patea was the nearest port to all factories in Southern Taranaki and Northern Wanganui, he thought there were reasonable grounds for making Patea such a port. He thought pro bably the dairy factory companies on this side of the mountain might he prepared to assist in the erection if works, and in any case it would do no harm to ascertain what they would do in the matter. As was known, thei had tried last year but had failed, but since then production had considerably increased, and further, the dairy people had now to pay for their own grading which gave them more say in the matter. He moved that a circular be forwarded to every dairy factory company in the district served by the port, of Patea, requesting them to take into consideration a proposal to make Patae a grading pork, and the formation of a limited liability oompany to erect cool |stores; also, what support they Would oe likely to give towards suoh company. Mr. Adams pointed out that the eom- ( pany would ba purely in the interests 1 ot the dairy people themselves, as they would reap practically all the benefit. < He had no doubt that if necessary ' others besides the dairy companies 1 would be prepared to assist, whilst the Harbour Board might also help. From ' what he knew the project would be a good investment to anyone putting < money in, that was if outside assistance J was required, but in any oase the com- < panies would be able to regulate the ' charges and beaofit to the fullest ex- ' tent. ]

Mr. Holloway seconded, and in doing sp said that most, if net all, of the factories in this district were prepared to grant solid support to the nrojeet provided the shipping facilities were equal, la regard to steamer communication, the local shipping companies were prepared to meet the dairy people in ev«ry way, and if the trade warranted it to pat on a boat specially for cue trade. He thought the Chamber's action was a right and proper one, and ottered if necessary to make one to cwvass tho whole of the oompanios lotorestad in regard to the matter. Mr. Kossiter heartily supported the ie>o.ution, and urged thatthefirst stop I was co ascertain the feelings of all interested. He thought .£SOOO would be quite suffici nt for an excellent start, and as for anii.piug facilities, there was no douot ths steamship companies would do the right thing. Mr. Humuierton sstid several secretaries of dairy companies at Eltham and Stratford had informed him thai their companies preferred Pataa if it was a grading port.

Mr. Kenworthy stated that whon he I read of the recent mooting at Hawera, he had put the full position in writing before Mr. J. J. Campbell, chairman oi the Kaupokonui Dairy Factory Company.

I Tho resolution was carried, and e. I committee consisting of Messrs Adams, Russitor, Hammerfcon, and Followay, were appointed to draw up the circular. I It was also resolved on the motion of Mr. Kossicer, to eommanicate with the Homo Shipping Companies r<: placing Patea on the same terms a» Now Plymouth in regard to freigho eoiicjssious.