THE BELFAST FREEZING WORKS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8249, 23 February 1905, Page 3

THE BELFAST FREEZING WORKS.

•RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. All the machinery at tlie Belfast Freezing Works is now being driven by an electrical machine, which has taken the place of the old Haslam engine, which has been sold to a freezing company in the Auokland district. The new engine is of the Balliss-Moroom, self-lubricating type, and is of Birmingham make. It is of 200 horsepower, and the rate is 420 revolutions a minute. Two compound engines of 70 horse-power each, besides the Haslam, have been supplanted by the electrical engine, and a high-pressure engine, of 20 horse-power, will also be taken out. The new engine is driving three motors of 25 horse-power, twp of 20 horse-power, two of 15, one of 10, two of I\, and three of 5 horse-powei*. It has been the means of dispensing with four engine-drivers, and has brought about a considerable saving in respect to the consumption of coal. It is in the main engine-room, and 'is attended to by the ordinary staff. The type of engine, it is stated, is tha finest of its class in the world, and its introduction into the works marks a very notable improvement. The generator is by Crompton, of Chelmsford, England. Each department in the works has its own switch on the main switch-board, so that every engine in the establishment is controlled from the main room. The latest ideas in regard to ampere gauges and volt-me-ters have been adopted, so that the quantity of coal used by each engine and each department can be easily ascertained. Close to the electrical engine there has been erected one of Deans' s vacuum pumps, carrying 27$in vacuum. > Another recent improvement is the introduction of an electrical carrier, ; for taking the carcasea to 'the truoks. It is in the shape of an endless chain, with wooden slats attached, and %he carcases can be sent along the whole length of 170ft at the rate of 2000 an hour. This appliance has saved the la- , I bour often men.