RAKAUROU NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1972, 7 January 1907, Page 2

RAKAUROU NOTES.

NEW YEAR’S FESTIVITIES. (From our own Correspondent.) New Year’s Day was celebrated at Bakaurou by a sports gathering and picnic, held on the property of Mr A. T, Smith. The day proved rather wot and disagreeable, but as all were bent upon enjoying themselves the gathering was most successful. Some of the events, notably the Gretna Green, created immense amusement —to the spectators. The day was wound up with a most enjoyable dance, held in the schoolroom, at which Mr T. Grace acted as M.C. with much satisfaction to the dancers. Songs were sung by Messrs P. Vandye, W. Gibbs, and T. Grace. Music was supplied by Messrs Beaufoy (piano), Bracken (violin), and Clark and Gibbs (accordeon). Appended are the results of the sports :

Bakaurou School Boys’ Race—W Beanfov, 10s, 1; J. McPhee and A. Smith (dead heat), ss, 2. Hop, step and jump - Bracken, 20s, 1; W. McDonald, ss, 2.

Girls’ Raco—Jessie Smith, 7s 6d, 1 : V. McDonald, 2s 6d, 2. Bakaurou Handicap (100yds) F. Smith, 255, 1; R. Patterson, 10s, 2. Gretna Green (horses) in costume— McKenzie and Beaufoy, 30s, 1; McDonald and Hansen) 10s, 2. Boys’ Race, under 16vrs, 100yds— J. Richardson, 7s 6d, i; A. Smith, 2s 6d, 2.

Hurdle Raco Handicap. 220yds - McDonald, 255, 1 ; Bracken, 10s, 2s. Ladies’ Tilting - Miss Redpath, 21s, 1; Miss Vandye, ss. 2.

High Jump—W. Bracken, 15s, 1: S. McDonald, ss, 2, , Leaping Macth, for horses - Patterson, 30s, 1; McKenzie, 10s, 2.

AVaikohu Handicap, 440yds —F. Smith, 255, 1 ; Patterson, 255, 2. Sack Raco, 70yds—Busko, 10s, 1; A Smith, ss, 2.

Threading the Needle (horses) —Neil, 20s, 1; Hansen, 10s, 2. Single Ladies’ Race, 50yds—Miss B. Vandye, 10s, 1; Miss A- Shaw, ss, 2. Half-mile Handicap—W. McDonald, 30s, 1; Lyons, 10s, 2. Flag Race F, Smith, 20s, 1; Patterson, ss, 2.

IOOYds Championship F. Smith, 21s, 1 ; Patterson, ss, 2,

The Tug-of-War, Obstacle Race, and Married Men’s Race were omitted on fcouut of the weft

KIA ORA DAIRY COMPANY. INCREASING THE SHARES. A special meeting of shareholders of the Kia Ora Co-operative Dairying

Company was held on Saturday afternoon at the offico or the secretary (Mr Andrew Graham). The Chairman of Directors (Mr A. Knight) presided. There was a fair attendance, the business being really of a formal nature, to confirm or otherwise the special resolution of December 20tli, I'JOG, “That this meeting empowers the directors to bring article 16 of

the articles of association into operal°Article IC, referred to in the resolution, is as follows: —"Each member shall, after the expiration of three vears from the date of the allotment of his shares (if called upon by the directors so to do in accordance with a resolution of the shareholders ot the company, passed at an cxtraoidinaiy general meeting of the company convened for that purpose), apply tor, take up, and hold another share tor each cow that such member shall own whose milk is supplied to the company,in addition to that share already taken up by him under the preceding article No. 7 hereof. That is, ho shall (if necessary) hold at least two shares for each cow ho milks to entitle him to the benefits of the company after the three years aforesaid. IVlr J. A. Caesar moved the confirmation of the resolution, which lie warmly supported. There was no need he said, for him to say much on the subject, as shareholders had heard him speak in a pronounced way on it ! more than once, and it was hardly necessary to add anything now. “1 am,” concluded Mr Caesar, “strongly in favor of this resolution being carried, and I do not see how the company can be successfully carried on unless it is adopted, I am quite satisfied to leave it to the shareholders, because I feel that they are with me in the matter; they were all in favor of the resolution at the last meeting.” Mr Bates said he had been unable to attend the last meeting, or he would have opposed it. He had always been agreeable, if the company required it, to take up two shares per cow, but it struck him that under this resolution it would mean taking up 2£ shares per cow. At present lie was milking twelve cows and had sixteen shares. He could not carry' any more cows. He was willing to take up 24 shares, but not more, though this resolution would require him to take up 32 shares. Last y r ear he had bought a couple of cows at McCluskio’s sale, and until he had disposed of two others in the course of the fortnight he had the couple of extra cows; his weight of milk was taken on that, and he had therefore been allotted sixteen shares. He objected, in these circumstances, to being called on to take 32 shares. The Chairman said the number would only be allotted on the cows he had had for the three years. Mr Bates: I would have to take them evidently'. The Chairman said Mr Bates would have to take the shares up on the original number. Even as it was, if he was milking 12 cows, it would only' be two shares over the number that would then be required, the nkmber would be 26, Mr Bates: It is not the taking of the shares I object to so much as the principle of the thing. The Chairman said the shares were based on a supply of 2olbs per cow. Mr Bates: That is not enough. If my cows only gave that I would not be able to make my rent, j Mr Caesar said they had to take some guide to work on. A man like Mr Bates,with a small herd of milkers well looked after, was in a better position than the man with fifty or sixty, which on the average would not do nearly as well as thp smaller herd, Hr Caesar said the basis was taken on the highest ten days during the season. Mr Bates: If I take over a neighbor’s cows while he goes to the Exhibition next y'ear they' will allot- me shares accordingly. Mr Caesar said in a case of that kind it would be easy' to distinguish. Mr Bates said that through having temporarily' had these two' extra cows it meant that he would have to pay in an extra £6. Mr Caesar said there would he no difficulty in arranging if a man was looking after his neighbors’ cows. The rule had been fixed in such a way that people milking 20 or 40 cows cm!ld be got at. There might be a small injustice to Mr Bates, but taken as a wliplo the rule favored most shareholders. There was no desire to inflict a hardship on Mr Bates. Mr Bates mentioned one supplier who held Id shares and had drawn £lsl, whereas he (Mr Bates) had only drawn £ll3,though lie hold 16 shares. A fairer way would be to take the average through the season. Mr McCredie said the basis was originally fixed at 201bs, but had been j altered to 2olbs by the directors, and ! ah honor to those who had done it. j The method adopted seemed a very 1 fair one. I Some discussion ensued as to the | original allocations, and Mr Caesar pointed out that when the amalgamation of the companies took place, all came under the Ivia Ora Company’s by-laws, ' . 4 ■ “Now you are getting away from the benefits you derive from co-opera-tioi], ’ added Mr Caesar. Mr Bates :That is right enough. If you had not co-operation I would not be milking cows. . (Hear, hear.) The- Chairman said they had the fairest method of allocation they could get. It would be found that by' tar the larger number would be nearer the mark than otherwise. Mr Caesar said the by-laws >vere

based on those in use in Taranaki where they should have hotter lean Its, and if Taranaki people were content with a 201 b local shareholders should be fairly dealt with on a 251 b basis. Mr Bates said he was not objecting to the two cows per share, but t° the principle of being called onto take up more shares because he had two cows on his hands for a fortnight, awaiting sale. Mr Caesar said he did not see any necessity for having the averages of the year’s supply taken. It was not dono anywhere else, and would be a fearful job for the secretary. Mr Petchell: The rules have been made, and any alteration would have to come before another meeting. It is for you to stir that up if you want it done, Mr Angland said ip addition to the five per eent. reduction he would advise that id per lb be taken off to go towards getting the factorv clear of debt.

Mr McCredie: A good idea, too. Mr Angland: W e are keeping a lot of people in straight collars and we are working in the cow muck. "\Ye don’t want to he paying away on overdraft. Mr “Walsh said an accumulated fund was badly needed. Thev should have a sinking fund that would do away with borrowing in advance to pay the milk cheques. Mr Caesar said Mr Angland’s suggestion was brought up at the annual meeting, but no one seemed to care for it. Mr Angland : I intended to propose it. 1 tried to speak; but there was so much barracking that it was iio use. One or two bad all the sav. (Laughter.) Mr Caesar: Why didn’t you put him out? (Laughter.) Mr Angland: That might be ar awkward tiling to do. (Laughter.) Mr Caesar: Not for a good wrestler like you. Mr Angland : That might only neaii the two of us going down'. Laughter.) Mr Walsh suggested that they should arrange for regular socials, at which, besides the general festivities, they could go quietly into such mat-

ters as Mr Anglaiul had raised. Tlicy should have no speechifying, but just friendly chats on all subjects of" interests to flic farmers. Mr Caesar: That Mould be areal Farmers’ onion. Mr Anglaiul jocularly said they could have skim milk for the liquid refreshments. (Laughter.) Mr Caesar added to Mr Angland’s suggestion one that Mr Carroll should be invited to join the happy party. I Reverting to the business of the meeting the motion was seconded by 1 .Walsh guii carried unanimously