Proceedings, &c, for 1868. xiii 



Mr. John Blair, M.R.C.S.E., was balloted for, and duly elected a 

 member of the Society. 



The President read a paper by Mr. J. D. Postle, C.E., " On the 

 Application of Cold, resulting from the Expansion of Compressed 

 Air, to the Preservation of Animal Food." (See part 1, Transactions). 



Mr. T. Learmonth inquired in what way Mr. Postle's plan was 

 superior to that of Mr. Kirk's, and whether it was applicable to 

 large masses of meat ? 



Mr. Postle said the principal disadvantage in Mr. Kirk's process 

 was that in it the same air was used over and over again, while in 

 his own a stream of fresh air was maintained. 



The Rev. Dr. Bleasdale hoped that in Mr. Postle's process the 

 mechanical difficulties were overcome, but even if so, the commercial 

 obstacles to success were very great. He had had experience of 

 frozen meat, and knew the objections of people in England to its 

 use. There was greater expense in cooking it, and it required to be 

 passed through boiling water several times before cooking could be 

 commenced. 



Mr. Napier heartily concurred in the practicability of the principle 

 advocated by Mr. Postle, and indeed had recommended a similar 

 process to the Indian Government for cooling rooms. 



The Rev. Dr. Bleasdale thought the plan might be more advan- 

 tageously adapted to the preservation of cooked meat. 



Mr. Macredie said frozen meat in Canada presented no such 

 obstacles to proper subsequent cooking as were anticipated by Dr. 

 Bleasdale. 



Professor M'Coy inquired whether Mr. Postle had made any 

 estimate of the cost of his method as compared with that of refrige- 

 ration by means of ether, ammonia, and other means often used. 

 Mr. Postle's plan appeared remarkably simple. 



Mr. Postle thought the use of ammonia dangerous where brass, 

 zinc, or perhaps iron vessels were used, as it had a strong tendency to 

 make them very brittle, when explosions might result. He thought a 

 loss was occasioned by the decomposition of the ammonia. He con- 

 sidered the cost of a satisfactory test of his process would cost 

 about £250. 



The President said the question seemed to have advanced as far as 

 could be expected without actual experiment, and invited members 

 to consider the advisability of adjourning the discussion. 



The discussion was accordingly adjourned. 



(Signed) Robt. L. J. Ellery. 



April 30, 1868. 



