CANTERBURY MARBLE QUARRY COMPANY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1552, 8 February 1879, Page 3

CANTERBURY MARBLE QUARRY COMPANY.

The annual general meeting of the shareholders of this company was held last evening at the City Hotel. There was a very small attendance, the only persona present being five of the directors. Mr E. Mitchell, chairman, presided. The Chairman said their meeting there that evening was only a matter of form, and that it. was not a matter of great interest to the shareholders was evidenced by none of them attending except the directors. No doubt the time would come when a very different state of things would prevail. He alight state that ho had made an appointment with Mr Barker, the clerk and surveyor of the Rakaia Road Board, to see what could be done with regard to the road leading to the quarry. Now that Mr Turner had returned, no doubt he would make one of the party. An arrangement had been made to meet Mr Barker and accompany him up the road, but the date had not yet been fixed. There was was no doubt that they would be unable to do anything until something had been done witli regard to the road—their hands were completely tied. He might say that ho had had a great number of enquiries made of him about this marble. It had been suggested to him that they should send the whole of their samples to the Sydney Exhibition. They might be polished in Sydney before going into the exhibition. Captain JDavis, of the barque John Knox, had kindly consented to carry over the specimens free of expense, and any expense ho was put to to get them polished would of course be defrayed by the company. Captain Knox took a great interest in Canterbury, and no doubt would feel a pride in getting the specimens as well polished as possible. After this had been done they could be handed over to the Commissioner representing Now Zealand, who would find them a place. Some conversation took place as to what should be afterwards done with the marble, and it was resolved that they should be presented to the Sydney and Melbourne Museums. Mr Turner thought application should be made to the Commissioners at Wellington, who perhaps would forward the exhibits. A sum had been voted by the Government for New Zealand exhibits, and possibly it would be as well if they were sent through the Government. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Fisher, seconded by Mr A. Simpson, to leave the matter to Mr Turner, with the view of carrying out the wishes of the directors. Some discussion then took place on the subject of the retirement of two directors. It was found that Messrs. C. O. Aiekman and George Turner were the retiring directors. They were both re-elected. A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr Simpson (by proxy), and agreed to unanimously. The chairman reported that financially they were in about the same condition as last year. There were a number of uncollected calls which, if they could get in, were more than sufficient to meet their liabilities. The question of the appointment of a secretary was brought up, but was allowed to stand over for the present. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.