EXPORTS FROM THE PORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 241, 12 October 1931, Page 14

EXPORTS FROM THE PORT

A VERY FERTILE HINTERLAND BUTTER-FAT PRODUCTS; THE FREEZING INDUSTRY THE claim that Patea is important as an export centre is well justified. A rich portion of the butter-fat lands of 1 aranaki look to the port as a natural outlet. Millions of pounds worth of butter and cheese have been shipped over the bar for consumption in the United Kingdom. A small quantity has gone to America. In addition the port has flourished under the frozen meat industry. The latest figures of the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board show that between August 1, 1930, and July 31, 1931 101,907 boxes of butter were exported from Patea and 261,314 crates of cheese. The whole output was for Great Britain. In the corresponding period from 1929 to 1930 85,943 boxes of butter were shipped to Britain and 7915 tc America, a total of 93,858. In the same period 264,679 crates of cheese were exported to the Motherland. These totals give some idea of the productivity of the land which lies behind this prosperous South Taranaki township. It was about 1911 when the change which was destined to bring the dairy produce of this country into fame came about. The system of creamery collection of butterfat was replaced by the activities of up-to-date co-operative factories. Dairying became a highly specialised branch of farming and it was natural that when the output increased there would be a turning towards the nearest sea-going outlet. Patea accepted all the produce from Hawera south to Waverley and even farther north. No reference to Patea would be complete without mention of the freezing industry. For many years it was the mainstay of the town. It was first established, in the early eighties, and it is significant that Patea works are still flourishing. They cover an area of over a hundred acres, including extensive sheep and cattle yards and paddocks. The buildings themselves are spread over four acres, and include the most up-to-date machinery. In I 886 the first works were established by several of the leading farmers of the district, a company being formed under the title Patea Farmers’ Tinning Company. The killing was done on the present site of the Patea Butchery’s slaughter-house. The works, which were situated where the present company’s cottages stand, were burnt down in 1887, and owing to the general slump in .the district were not rebuilt by the company. In the following year, however, Mr O. W. Oldham commenced a similar business, in spite of the unpromising outlook for success. His works were built close by the present site. He came to Patea with a great deal of experience in this line, having been manager of the Gear Company in Wellington. He started a preserving and tinning works, under the name of the Western Packing Company. Large exports of mear were made, especially during the wars in Europe. Large orders were supplied to Germany. A bonus of £lOOO was paid on the first three cargoes of frozen meat sent over the bar, which was in the year 1889. Big business was done during these twelve years, and brought about a boom time to Patea. Early in the new century, the business changed hands, Mr Robert Darling taking over. His special line was the manufacture of meat extract, which added to the status of the works. For two years Mr Darling successfully carried on the business, and besides the manufacture of the meat extract, bought cull stock for canning. He was succeeded after two years by Mr R. 1 homson, who had been manager of the Southland Frozen Meat Co. A few years later, the business again changed hands, Messrs Tonks and Nolan taking over. Two or three hard years, however, again saw a change, this time a co-operative company of farmets of the district being formed and assuming control. 1 his was in 1910, this company still being in existence. To-day the frozen meat industry has been greatly extended, every part of the slaughtered beasts being turned to advantage. Fallow, pelts, skins, and other numerous items are being exported. In addition to these, the export of frozen veal was commenced in the season 1926-27, the Patea Freezing Works being the first company to adopt tne “Bobby calf’’ branch of the freezing industry. Export pork has also formed another successful branch during the last few years. Ihe following figures give an idea of the growth of the industry over the last twenty years:— Cattle. Sheep & Lambs. 1910 1,743 1,265 1911 5,260 27,764 1912-21 93,376 488,306 1922-31 87,804 1,114,344 Over the first twenty years the highest number of killings for one year was in 1920. Sheep and lambs killed in that season totalled 89,869. The highest cattle killings were made in 1915, when 1 3,352 was the total. Latter years have shown an increase on these figures for sheep and lambs, but a decrease in cattle. The names of the chairmen of the directors of the Company since 1910 are Mr W. D. Powdrell ( 191 0-2 1), Mr C. J. Hawken (1921) and Mr C. G. Dickie (1922-1931.)