The Hastings Freezing Works are described in a lengthy article on page 385 of this volume.

Mr. William Bennick Harding, Chief engineer and Works Manager of the Hastings Freezing Works, was born at Waipukurau, in September, 1856, and is the fifth son of the late Mr. John Harding, of Mt. Vernon, who is further referred to as an old colonist. He was educated at the Wellington College, and started work at the Vulcan Foundry in Napier. In the year 1888 he entered the employment of Messrs Nelson Brothers, on the engineering staff in the Waipukurau branch, whence he proceeded, on the removal of the plant, to Hornby, Canterbury. Two years later Mr. Harding was appointed to take charge of Messrs Wardell Brothers' electric plant in Christchurch. He subsequently received his present appointment, and in this capacity, superintended the erection of the Hastings Freezing Works. Mr. Harding is married page 470 and has one son and two dauthters.