DOMINION FARMERS' INSTITUTE, LTD.

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 13 December 1916, Page 8

DOMINION FARMERS' INSTITUTE, LTD.

ANNUA! MEETING. The first annual general meeting of shareholders of the above company was held iii- - Godber's Hall, Courtenay Place, last evening. Sir' James G. Wilson presided over a fair attendance of farmers from various parts of the Dominion., The chairman, in moving the Adoption of the report and balancesheet, stated that £2?#00 had been subscribed to dato, and that, it-was anticipated- that tho whole amount of the capital (£50,000) would bo subscribed within tho next month or two. In view of,' this satisfactory financial position, it was decided to proceed with the erection of the instituto on tho "freehold site which had already been .'purchased, fronting Featherston, Ballance, and • Maginnity Streets. Tho 'estimated cost of tho building, which iia to ba of six storeys, in handsome -Gothic architecture, is £40,000. The iobject of tho instituto is to provide '-headquarters for tho various organisa'tions working in the interests of tho jfarming industry. Provision is also jnada for tho accommodation of businesses which are in harmony with tho objects.of the institute. The completei I'soheme is intended to include the establishment of a farmers' club and private hotel,'where visiting farmers may meet in friendly intercourse. The retiring directors, Sir James G. Wilson (Bulls), 'Messrs. Ewen A. Campbell (Wanganui) 'and A. Leigh Hunt (Wellington) were ' pe-eleoted, the latter being elected jm&naging.director. The following were elected a Dominion Council of the institute for the ensuing year:—Sir Walter C. Buchanan, M.L.C. (Master;ton),- Major D. H. Lusk (Te Kuiti), ,'Messrs. Edwin Hall (Onehunga), D. G. LWright (Winslow), Jno. O'Halloran Alex. Hunter (Hawera), George H. Buckeridge ' (Eltharn), B. SR. Lethbridge (Turakina), James (Okoia), James ■ BalciHia l(Karranga), Hugh Morrison (Masfterton), John Connett (New Plymouth.), W.' Perry (Mas terton), Edward tNewman, M.P. (Marton), H. A. Nevins ■(Tenui), J. A. Makgill (Epsom, Auckland), H. H. Beetham (Masterton), J. iA. Pannebt (Ohristchurch), Archibald ! ( Clark (Featherston), W. B. Matheson XEketahuna), H. J. Richards (Levin), T. S. Williams (Gisborno), E. Maxwell '(Opunake), Thomas Moss (Eketahuna), ;W. J. Birch (Marton). Mr. D. A. S. .Cowper,' A.P.A., .was re-elected auditor ?to the company. . ' Mr. E. W. Relph, manager of,the! <Now Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association of Canterbury, and Messrs. ~ ,W. B. Matheson, Thomas Moss, E. A. . Campbell spoke enthusiastically of the far-reaching benefits the institute •■will confer upon the great agricultural •industry of the Dominion. Mr. Mofs 'said great oredit was due to Mr. A. - £Leigh Hunt, whom he referred to as '"the father of the scheme." The archiitectural work in connection with tho institute is to be entrusted to Messrs. j Collins and Harman, the well-known jChristchurch firm. A vote of thanks iwas accorded to the chairman and to ttho secretary of the company, Mr. E. C. Jack. At a subsequent meeting of Sir James G. Wilson was re- / Elected chairman of directors. i- —