CARRIAGE OF FROZEN MEAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6521, 26 June 1899, Page 1

CARRIAGE OF FROZEN MEAT.

THE INSULATION Of CARGOES. . [From Oun Cobjiespondent.] '■-■- ■■ -< :: - -WELLINGTON, June 25. The ciuestion: of;the iiisulatiori. of'frozeh meat cargoes has. recently been freely discussed in the English commercial Press. Pumice has been very -favourably spoken of as a substitute for charcoal, and what is termed " slag wool "is also in excellent repute. The idea appears to be steadily gaining ground that charcoal insulating material breeds germs detrimental to the cargoes, and is' also responsible for the many fires frequently occurring in the colonial trade. The Agent-General has forwarded to the Government a communication on the subject from the Alliance Marine' Assurance • Company, and from Mr Cameron, produce expert. The secretary of the company mentioned states that his corporation is convinced that the continued use of charcoal should be discouraged, and adds that, as pumice is a New Zealand product, it would l be desirable to promote its use. Mr Cameron states that Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Company are now insulating the- steamer Buteshire,' which suffered ffom fire recently, with" pumice throughout." This company lately made a number 1 of experiments to demonstrate the relative values of charcoal and pumice, and these prove -charcoal to be the better insulation of the two. The cost of pumice, however, is reported- to be very much "greater than that of charcoal, and a thickness of 6in of charcoal is equal to 7in of pumice. Mr Cameron's remarks as to the cost of pumice would hardly apply were the industry " developed in New Zealand itself. '•"','":. ■■'■ -'- • ■ i