Seek Development

Hatham Islands

The New Zealand Department of mculture has recently been in stigating ways and means of \proving the sheep and cattle tn stry in the Chatham Islands, but e report which the department is handed to the government is d very hopeful.

In addition to the income derived om shearing, about 15,000 sheep, ,000 lambs, and 750 head of beef ,ttle are at present available mually for slaughter and are lipped alive to New Zealand, umbers of Chathams sheep are ught as breeding ewes in certain irts of New Zealand where their laracteristics are favourable to ic climatic and soil conditions.

The Chatham farmers feel that ley could make more money if ley had a local processing industry,

he Department of Agriculture

oked into three possibilities—a Diling-down works, a cannery, and freezing works. The first two ossibilities, though calling for less ipital—perhaps £2o,ooo—were re nted for a variety of reasons mounting to the hard fact that ley could not produce at com etitive prices.

No Capital

The freezing works is estimated d cost £320,000 to establish, this ost including staff housing, some oading, and other associated pre sets. The annual operating cost s estimated at £90,000. Possible ites were considered at the settle ment of Waitangi where there is a srharf, at Owenga where there is a Ish freezing industry, and at Port lutt where the best harbour exists or deepwater vessels.

The Department finds that no nainland freezing company is nterested in such a project, and it s evident that the Chathams armers cannot raise the necessary capital without assistance. The government is now expected to consider whether any financial aid should be provided from public funds for such a project.