AUCKLAND FARMERS' FREEZING COMPANY.

Waikato Times, Issue 12186, 22 September 1911, Page 4

AUCKLAND FARMERS' FREEZING COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, Friday. The attendance a i the Annual meeting of thi Aucidanc 1 Farmers Freetfiniy Co., at Auckland, yes.li day, was Hot so large as usual, c~e.'3 ..icing present Messrs J. 8a..;:'.: chairman), C. Houghton, H. Worsp, S. J. Ambtiry, J. E. McGill, L. J. Bagnall and G. Goodwin. Prior to the meeting of shareholders, a meeting of the directorate was held. The report and balance sheet, as previously published in our columns were adopted. Mr Joseph Bar ugh, being thei director to retire by rotation, and there being no other nomination, he was re-elected.

Mr William Kay 11 was reappointed auditor, and asked to act in the capacity of scrutineer.

The chairman in his annual address said : It gives me great pleasure to record another prosuerous year. This is very gratifying considering we re>duced the freezing charges on beef one-sixteenth of a penny per lb, and on factory butter for export 4§d per bos, which is, I believe, the lowest rate charged l.y any company in the Dominion that pays a dividend to its shareholders. The concession on beef represents some £4OO, and on butter £ISOO, for the past season. The number of stock, put through during the past season has been very disap~and I have come to the conclusion that this province will never be a large exporter of meat. Same nine years ago Auckland exported over 114,000 sheep and lambs, a figure our company has never reached ; our export for last year was 61,831, which is about onr average. Beef fluctuated more than any product passing through the works. Last season we put 2201 head of cattle through whilst the season before 9183 head were killed. Had we put.the latter number through during the past season the con6essio<n given in freezing rates would have represented some £I4OO. The history of the frozen meat trade has been one of great fluctuation in prices. The English market, although qdite indespetnsible to us. is no certainty. In 1909 prices for mutton and lamb dropped to a ruinous figure . the year following was -good whilst the season just about to close, commenced well but soon dropped to very low rates, recovering towards the latter end of the season. Looking at the export trade from a small farmer's point of view I believe, as a rule, the wisest plan is to sell in the Dominion to some exporter. There are a good many of them who make it a business some of them having retail shops at Home, which makes it possible to obtain highest average prices, whereas the small farmer, with his small let, has to put all his eggs into one basket if ho ships and sometimes hits an unfortunate market. During the past season representatives of all the freezing companies in the North Island have met to discuss matters of mutual interest with very satisfactory results. Some of these companies already have representatives at Home, and those that had not,

have now jointly engaged Dr. Robinson to look after their mutual interests in England. This gentleman has made a study of the frozen meat trade and I am .assured by people in the Old Country that no man understands the work, for which we want Idm, better. His chief duty is to watch the* discharge of vessels, follow fcbe meat to the store, and out again, to report upon the condition of the meat, and if damage occurs to fine! out when it happened and what was the cause. In the past this has been no ones business. The meat in insured and if the damage exceeds 3 per cent the insurance company pays; if not the shipper stands the loss. There are many causes of damage ; rough handling, walking on the car-

cases with dirty boots, the temperature not being kept low enougih en b l : Home boat or in store at Home, causing meat to mould, etc.. and in consequence realise low prices. The

freezing companies are now working together and we believe great good will result. There is one thing to which I particularly wish to refer and that is the Port of Auckland. All

shippers should endeavour to make this the last port of call. Vessels should leave Auckland once a fortnight for at least six months in the year. If this were done all butter could be shipped in Auckland instead of going to Wellington and being trans-shipped as at present. The importance of the last port of call can hardly be over-estimated .so far as frozen meat is concerned. Buyers invariably want quick despatch which under present conditions is often impossible. The m eat which goes into the vessel last, and comes out first has a far better chance than meat which goes in first and is carried irom port to port until a cargo is obtained. I am glad to note that the Harbor Board intends to connect the railway line with Queenstreet wharf. I hope this will be done

with despatch, as it is impossible to make Auckland the last. shipping port for frozen meat under present

conditions, as large vessels fully loaded cannot lie at the railway

wharf on account of the shallowness of the water, and as this is the only wharf now connected with the railway, Auckland can never be a last port till deeper water is obtainable, which I understand is the case at the Queen-street wharf. As you are doubtless aware the Government has inaiiigiurated a postal service between. New Zealand and Vancouver, the steamer leaving from Auckland. These boats will carry frozen meat, butter, etc. We have secured some space for frozen meat and should any of our clients wish to make a trial shipment this space will be at their disposal- During the past year very I little money has been expended at ! either of our freezing works in improvements, but at the present time, to meet the wish of the Government Agriculture Department and the dairy companies making cheese, a special chilling room is now in course of construction in Auckland. We are also installing an enlarged water supply at Southdown, the present being inadequate for economical work. I aim pleased to report that we have still practically all the heads of departments who started with us when we opened our works. I think jit speaks well for both the company : and men that so few changes should take place, and I wish to take thisopportunity of thanking them for the efficient manner in which they carry out their work and look after the interests of the company and its clients. Though our profits for the year are not so large as last year your directors fee! justified in recommending the payment of an 8 per cent, dividend, and the placing of £I4OO to the reserve fund. This will make the reserve fund now stand at £10,500, an equivalent to nearly 25 per cent, of our paid-up capital. Our

reserve fund' is mostly invested in our own business ; much of it being in advances against meat shipped Home (,n account of clients. I do not wish to weary you by going into the details of the business too minutely, so I will now propose the adoption of the report and balancesheet.

The meeting approved of the chairman's report, and accorded him a vote oi thanks.

jh. vh.ii.vnan announced that the. pi; »'b oi the dividend this year would he delayed a few days, owingto a leaflet, which it was intended t,, post with the .cheques, not being yet to hand.

In moving a vote of thanks to the stall', Mr Ambury spoke of the excellent work rendered the company by the gentlemen acting in official

,siti<ns under them. It was wellknown, hj& said, that the secretary and engineer did not participate in any boons, and such being the case, it behoved the shareholders to accord them a hearty vote of thanks. This was carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks was also accorded the Board of directors.