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Post by NZBC on Mar 22, 2008 11:10:17 GMT 12
The father of New Zealand¡¯s butter industry - Chew Chong Author: Chen, Elaine In: Sinorama, Jan 1997; v.22 n.1:p.76-81 ISSN: 0256-9043 Subject (name) : Chong, Chew (1828-1920, New Plymouth) Note: Ill; port. Language: English & Chinese Abstract: Profiles the Chinese immigrant who pioneered exporting butter, won an award for his Jubilee brand butter and opened a dairy factory at Eltham. Describes his trade in fungus as an agricultural crop and recognition of his enterprise later in life. Url of this record - innz.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=248300
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Post by nzbc on Jul 10, 2016 16:31:53 GMT 12
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9213, 30 May 1893, Page 1 Attachments:
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Post by nzbc on Jul 10, 2016 16:38:02 GMT 12
Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 221, 24 January 1911, Page 4 Attachments:
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Post by nzbc on Feb 16, 2024 14:50:44 GMT 12
A contemporary of Newton King was Chew Chong. Much has been recorded of this Chinese merchant's role in establishing the Taranaki dairy industry, but little of his versatility in other spheres. His descendants, one of whom is Brian Chong, a prominent New Plymouth architect, have in their possession documents and records concerning this remarkable man, some of which have never been published. Chew Chong was born in China in 1830. He attended school there and worked for 10 years as a household servant before emigrating to Victoria, Australia, where he spent II years in the goldfields, mining and storekeeping. He joined the gold rush to Otago in 1866; then travelled New Zealand buying up old metal for export to China. During these journeys Chong discovered an edible fungus* which was growing on logs which covered the burned-off timber lands. He found it was similar in taste to a highly prized Chinese delicacy which was also valued for its medicinal value. He offered to buy all he could be supplied with, at 2c for 500 grams. He opened a store on the corner of Currie and Devon Streets in 1870. The fungus was collected by Maoris and farmers, who brought it into New Plymouth on market days (Saturdays) when as much as $140 worth a day was bought. It was dried and packed into flax baskets, sent to Dunedin and shipped to China. Between 1872 and 1882 more than 1700 tonnes of this 'Chinese Wool' was exported, to a value of more than $150,000. The sale of the fungus saved many Taranaki dairy farmers, for they bartered their butter to their local store in exchange for goods, and the fungus was their only source of ready cash, apart from labouring in the bush and on the roads. A year after Chong had opened his dairy factory at Eltham in 1887, he turned his attention to meat. He established a butcher's shop in Devon Street East, New Plymouth, installing Sam Hall as manager. His prices were well below those of other butchers, which led to some hostility. But he was, for all that, a respected figure in New Plymouth. 'Dressed in white tussore trousers and dust coat of the same material, he would drive through Devon Street in his phaeton, drawn by a pair of chestnut horses . Another Chong enterprise was in the art field. He advertised regularly in the Taranaki Herald: 'Persons desirous of having portraits in oil will please let me have their photographs where I can have them sent to China. Prices very reasonable.' These paintings are now heirlooms in s .veral Taranaki family houses. He retired from business in 1905 following a visit to China. Shortly b 'fore his death in New Plymouth on October 7, 1920, at his home in Courtenay Street, he was presented with an illuminated address 'in uppreciation for the enterprise he has shown as a pioneer of the dairy industry', which has flourished to become Taranaki's major export. Real and lasting diversification of New Zealand farm production was made possible by the introduction of refrigeration. In 1882 the Dunedin .arrived the first refrigerated cargo of mutton from Port Chalmers to London. This meant the country was no longer restricted to Australia as a market for its butter and cheese, sent in brine-soaked casks. Meat too could be exported, as well as sold to the butcher. Indeed, it was in the frozen meat trade that most progress was made in the first decade of refrigeration, the freshly-killed carcasses being taken to the ports and frozen aboard the ships. As the British demand for butter and cheese increased it was realised a refrigerated bulk storage depot was needed to hold supplies until shipping was available, and in 1895 a private concern, the Taranaki freezing Works Company Limited, was established near Port Taranaki, 'with all the latest and most improved machinery', according to its first annual report. Within five years it had established itself firmly enough to impress the province's various dairy companies, and to make an offer to t hem of $30,527, as a going concern. This was accepted and the present Taranaki Producers' Freezing Company Limited was formed on May I ,1901 In that year it handled 176,210 boxes of butter and 9530 cases of cheese. history.new-plymouth.com/3/33
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