342 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[Nov. 
the results obtained under each separate system, or to ascertain what 
results could be obtained by a combination of systems. A designer of 
works incorporates in his design all the elements within his knowledge 
which make for efficiency, and often introduces innovations with the object 
of making an improvement. If he did not, progress would be at a standstill. 
Nevertheless these attempts at improvement must necessarily be of a minor 
nature, for the risk of any radical change is too great. Even minor innova¬ 
tions are introduced at the risk of censure, for should they not come up 
to expectations the right of the designer to experiment at his employer’s, 
expense is questioned. It is possible that he may depart from standard 
practice in a dozen points and that eleven of them may come up to expecta¬ 
tions, but these are simply taken as a matter of course, and the benefits 
derived from them are completely overshadowed by the seriousness of the 
offence in trying the one which proved a failure. 
Employers, if consulted with regard to trying a new idea, almost invari¬ 
ably turn the proposition down and instruct one to adhere to the established 
method. Such a decision is easily understood, but it is this attitude which 
blocks attempts to improve our methods, and so “ precedent becomes the 
greatest obstacle to advancement." If the individual is not in the position 
to take risks, and the Dominion is at great loss under the existing conditions, 
should not the Government give the matter attention ? Individual freezing- 
works cannot afford to upset their everyday working systems to try experi¬ 
ments. The risk of treating a day’s kill is too great, and no works is so 
equipped that it can run tests upon small quantities. Again, if it is left to 
individual works to discover better methods, it is hardly likely that they 
will be willing to make public to their competitors any improvement they 
have been at the expense of discovering. The present time seems inoppor¬ 
tune to approach a Government to finance an experimental establishment, 
but now is the crucial moment. There has been too long a delay already, 
and it is absolutely necessary for us to put our house in order to meet the 
competition we shall get wdien normal times resume. 
The most serious loss is the loss of weight between that of the live stock 
and the mutton as sold. This loss is enormous, but it is not all attributable 
to freezing methods, and is the result of several causes which I shall now 
endeavour to state. 
Location of Works. 
The droving or railing of stock any appreciable distance occasions loss, 
which I think can be safely taken at 5 per cent., and is due to fretting, 
sweating, bruising, dog-bite, bone-taint, and, when stock is on the lower 
margin of a grade, to loss of grade. In addition, there is stock which would 
be fit to slaughter at a local works but which is not fit to travel, and so 
has to be carried over until the following season. Lambs are particularly 
sensitive to travel. 
The greatest percentage of bone-taint may be ascribed to the slaughtering 
of cattle before the excitement of travel has worn off. To reduce this excite¬ 
ment holding-paddocks are necessary. In -any case, they are essential to 
a well-regulated operation of a works. With holding-paddocks the works 
can run at an even rate and more efficiently. 
These considerations indicate the fact that the greatest proportion of 
dead to live weight is obtained when a works is placed in the area of pro¬ 
duction where it is possible to provide holding-paddocks. As a plentiful 
