BANKS PENINSULA FARMERS' CLUB

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 563, 6 December 1881, Page 2

BANKS PENINSULA FARMERS' CLUB

A meeting of this club was held at the Somerset Hotel, Head of the Bay, on Saturday. Mr Coll McDonald, the President, occupied the chair. Great interest seemed to, be taken, nearly 40 farmers being present, MINUTES. The minutes of the former meeting were road and confirmed. HON. MSGUKTARY'S STATEMENT. This Hon; Sec. (Mr Duxuury) stated that lie saw from the minutes that it had been resolved at last meeting to hold the next at Aknroa, but when he saw Mr Jfieobsoii about advertising it, -he had forgotten this, and perhaput was better as it was, as it was more convenient to many farmers, especially those, from .Pigeon Bay The principal object of the meeting was to distribute and consider the account sales ho had received from the New Zealand Loan and .Mercantile Agency Company of the shipment of cheese by the (jrari. He had looked some of these over, and confessed he could not understand them, as some appeared to be charged more for freight and expenses than others. It seemed the chee.se had brought a uniform price of 18a per Gwt. correspondence:. Letters were read —

From Mr Ilargreaves. as follows :— " Akaroa, November 24,1881. " Sir, —I enclose statements and account sales re cheese shipped Home on account of the club. I also hold cheque for £20 15s 4d, for which I em-lose receipt for your signature. Please return receipt, and I will either forward cheque or credit the account, just as you desire.—lours, etc., " W. H. Hargreaves, Agent Mr Duxbury said that he would not accept the cheque or take action in the matter till the club had met. Since their last meeting he had received the following letters regarding the account sales from the company, in reply to an application he had made :— " Christchurch, Nov. 14, 1881. CHEESE PER ORARI. "Sir, —Referring to account sales of above shipment, which you have doubtless been looking for, our London offke advises under date Sept 22 as follows :— By mail via San Francisco on 6th proximo, we hope to send you account sales of cheese ex Orari. The multiplicity of marks in respect of which pro rata accounts have to be prepared, renders it impossible to forward' the documents by the present opportunity, as time will not admit of their completion —Yours etc., "J. Callender." " Christclmreh, 21at Nov., 1881. " Sir, —Referring to account sales of cheese per Orari, our London office advise us they were obliged to apportion the freight to shippers pro rala, as the B.L. did not supply the weights in detail. I have, however, prepared a list showing what I believe lo be the exact amount payable by each shipper, and leave you to make any adjustment if you think it desirable. You will note that the London apportionment is as nearly as possible 11s 4jd per case, whereas the rate as calculated by us on the weights supplied by the N.Z. Shipping Company varies considerably. 1 have indicated the lots on which we had to furnish average weights.— Yours etc , " John Cook." the opinion of the shippers. The account sales were then distributed and created great surprise and anger. They were extremely difficult to understand, as though the cheese all fetched a uniform price, some of the shippers were brought in creditors and others debtors,, For instance, two persons shipped three cwt each and one was shown as having a small balance to receive, and the other as owing the company several pounds. The difference was in the charges, for I all the cheese was credited as having ! been sold at the uniform rate of 18s per cwt, and tho farmers conld not understand why one should be charged double

the amount of the other for the freight

and charges of ex-u'tly the amne quantity of cheese. Besides, mar.y wore only credited with the sale of 12 cwt of cheese

who had pent liom« 17 or 18 cwt, whilst others were credited with double the amount they had forwarded. As can be imagined there was a good deal of indignation and it was some time before anything like a cool discussion of the matter could be arrived at.

Mr Duxbury said he had a record of the weight of cheese shipped by each farmer.

The President said ho was sorry that the accounts were not more satisfactory,, and that so*many showed euch a large deficiency. He hoped, however, that those present would think over the matter calmly and consider what steps it would be best to take. He did not know whether it would be better to write to Christchurch or to communicate with the London agent, but he thought that in either case all the satisfaction they would receive would be some further explanation regarding individual accounts, as the main fact would remain that the total sum accruing to them was the £20 odd of which they had received notice. The Oompany was in no way responsible further than to dispose of the cheese to the best of their ability, which he supposed they had done. They had better take the matter as it stood, take what money was coming to them, and finish up the affair. One thing was patent to them, and that was that they should do no more business with that firm, but he did not think it was any good disputing the past. Mr Chatfield complained of only being credited with a part of the cheese he had sent.

Mr Kingston said he should like to see the matter put in a lawyers-hands. . Mr Brooks was of the same mind. It would not cost much to get the opinion of a solicitor.

The President thought it would be better to have a committee appointed to consider the question and look into the accounts. The committee could meet at Akaroa, and get legal and clerical assistance if they thought it necessary, and could report to a meeting to be afterwards held at the Head of the Bay, that appearing to be the most convenient centre for the greater number of the farmers. He objected, however, to a lawyer being employed to correspond with the company, as it could be of no ultimate benefit, and would be very expensive. He thought the committee might, if they thought fit, call on Mr Nalder for his opinion, but would not advocate their going any further. Mr Brr.ce moved that a committee consisting of the President; Secretary, and Messrs G. Checkley, Chatfield, Wm. Barnett, fcJ. Hunt, Goodwin, Jones, Wm. Currie, and James Daly, be formed to decide what steps should be taken, with power to call in neceesary legal aid and an accountant, to report to a meeting of the club at a subsequent date. Hβ (the mover) could not understand how some were brought in debtors and others creditors, when the cheese had fetched the same price all round, and the freight and charges were uniform. Either all must have something to receive, or all must have something to pay. Mr Checkley seconded. It would tako some time to go into the matter, and it was far better to leave it to a committee. Mr S. Hunt said he should like to see the matter taken to the Supreme Court. Mr W. Barnett theught the committee could carry on the necessary correspondence without incurring legal expenses. He thought the committee need not meet till they had something more before them. He would suggest that the Hon Secretary should give the papers and all information possible to Mr McGregor, who was a skilled accountant, so that he could draw up an account to lay before the committee. Then let them decide what had better be done. The resolution was then fiot and carried. Mr S. Hunt said that he thought it would bo best after all to place, the £20 to the credit oi j the club and send Home

for some articles they required. This would end the matter, and they would then have done with the company and all. — The President said ho thought the discrepancies in the freight charged might be accounted for by the fact that the shippers were charged so much per case, and there cheese in some cases than in others. Several gentlemen said that this was not the case, as it had been arranged the charge should be £8 per ton. Mr Checkley said some had paid the freight to Lyttelton and others had not. The whole of the account sales were then returned to the Hon Secretary. After some further discussion, Mr S. Hunt moved—''That the credit balance be placed in the bank to the credit oi the Farmers' Club, and that all accounts received from the company be destroyed, and no more business be done with the company," This did not meet with general acceptance, and it was agreed, on the motion of Mr Goodwin, seconded by Mr Currie—--44 That the whole of the accounts be handed to Mr McGregor, and that the further consideration of the question be deferred till this day week, in Akaroa." It was pointed out that there was a meeting on that day, and it was therefore resolved that the meeting should be on Tuesday, the 13th inst., at Bayley's Hotel, Akaroa. This was ordered to be advertised, and the matter then dropped. THE CO OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. The following letter from the New Zealnnd Farmers' Co-operative Association was then read :— " Cbristehttrch. Oct. 17,1881. •'Chairman Farmers' Club, " Sir,—The directors of this Association have had under consideration a plan largely carried out in America, where the country residents join together in sending in orders for their requirements to the central office. It is thought that a similar system could beintroduced here if the secretaries of the various Farmers' Clubs would kindly undertake to receive orders and send them down fortnightly, weekly, or as any more frequent necessity arose, to the Secretary of the Association, Christchurch. Any goods forwarded under such arrange went as suggested would, though separately marked, be forwarded as one consignment and a saving in freight thus effected. I should be glad to hear your Club's opinion on the matter. Yours, etc., " L. C. Williams, "Secretary." Consideration was deferred. THE INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. The following letter was read :— "Akaroa, November 28th, 1881. " Sir,—Should any of the members of your club choose to exhibit any dairy produce at our Exhibition, and you could let me know ns near as possible the quantity, I will try and make suitable proviMon for space. 1 d« trust you will urge the necessity of having a good show of our staple product.—Yours, etc, "Stephen Watkins" The President thought the Club might give encouragement to the idea by offering a prize. Mr Juxbury thought it should lie specified whether it was to be for old or new cheese. Mr Goodwin agned. The President thought it would be a capital thing.to offer a good prize for the liest—kept dairy, and appoint some good judge, not residing on the Peninsula, to inspect them. Mr Checkley said Mr Bowron would be in Akaroa about that time, and as he wns an excellent judge of cheese he would be an excellent perron to appoint. Whilst he was bpeuking he might say that he had only heard of two bottles of the rennet by their lute shipment being broken, and proposed that they should be paid for out of the Club's fund. This met the approval of the other farmers. Mr Duxbury said he should much like to see some uniform system adopted of making cheese, co that a quantity of similar quality could be produced. This was a matter for the discussion of tho club. At present those who sent good cheese often had it spoilt or reduced in value by others forwarding an inferior article. . : . . - Mr Barnett agreed entirely with the previous speaker; the' different methods of making the; beet cheese should be thoroughly discussed. Mr Goodwin then proposed—" That the Banks Peninsula Farmers' Club give the sum of £3 103 for prizes for cheese-, made since the Ist August, 1881, to be exhibited at the Akaroa Industrial Exhibition. They also suggest that tho, judges be appcirited from outside 'the Peninsula." Mr Goodwin explained he proposed they fhould give £2 for a first, £1 for a second, arid 10s for a third prize. The resolution was seconded by Mr Checkley and carried. An argument ensued as to the quantity of cheese to be shown. Whether 501bs would have to . be ,the least quantity _ of cheese exhibited. There was no resolution passed on the matter, hut it. eeemed the general opinion that less than 501bs should be allowed. Mr S. Hunt thought that the prize cheese should be cut through the middle, so that every one could see their color quality and texture. At some shows at which he had been all they could see of the prize cheese . was the outside, from which they could gather . nothing. He was warmly against all the cheese exhibited being cut to pieces and spoilt, but he thought the winner of the prize could afford to have his cheese cut in two, and should be glad to have it done, so that other farmers might see what it was like. He hoped they would insist on impartial judges, from outside the Peninsula, being appointed. Mr Checkley said they should certainly ask Mr Bowron. He had received a letter from that gentleman, which he should like to read to them. The letter wns then read. Ie stated amongst other things that Mr Bowron was proceeding Home to select a manager for the proposed Ashbuiton cheese factory, and that he wished to take Home with him a ton of cheese from the <lni%y of Mr Reid, another from that of Mr Coll McDonald, and a third from that of Mr Checkley. The Prf&idtnt said that ho thought it wns most important the Lest methods of making cheese, should be thoroughly ventilated, ami that he was greatly in f'lvor 0.1 having a substantial prize njliurod for th c best dairy, p. 3 by that means the o'v.H:;;bU; !fif;i,hoc! (if ii!diking choose urgli

be discovered, and tend greatly to the public good.

Mr Checkley agreed nnd thought papers should be read monthly on this subject and othois, so that farmers might compare notes. Mr Barnett said he had been much pleased with an article that had appeared in the Mail regarding the utility of farmers' clubs. He thought that the best place of meeting was in Akaroa, near which so many of those interested in the manufacture of cheese and other products resided. Thanks to the action of the Club, the price of rennet had been reduced fully 100 per cent. The price of grass seed was a matter that should now occupy their attention, and also the different methods of preparing it for tho market. He had heard several gentlemen speak of a machine made by TVlr Gei Checkley which was a very clever one. He warmly advocated monthly meetings being held at which this and other similar matters of importance to the fanners should be thoroughly discussed. Several gentlemen spoke of the excellency of Mr Checkley's machine.

Mr Duxbury said he would write to Christchurch regarding the price to be charged for grass seed this year. The meetiner then adjourned till Tuesday 13th inst., at Wseckerle's Hotel.