CANTERBURY CORN EXCHANGE AND FARMERS’ CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1837, 12 January 1880, Page 4

CANTERBURY CORN EXCHANGE AND FARMERS’ CLUB.

The adjourned meeting of subscribers to the Corn Exchange was, pursuant to notice, held at the rooms, Cashel street, Christchurch, on Saturday afternoon. The meeting was well attested. The chair was occupied by Mr Thomas Bruce, who briefly explained the'objects for which the meeting had been convened, viz, the receiving and consideration of the auditor’s report, and tho election of a committee of management for tho present year. Most of those who wore present at tho last meeting would nc doubt remember that the wish was generally expressed that tho now subscribers should have the power of electing the committee. He had much pleasure in stating that since the previous meeting the names of l€o members had been recorded at tho Exchange ulor.o. [Hear, hear.] Tho lists from the outlying districts had yet to come in. The list of 100 subscribers referred to included "more new names than old ones, and this, Wvth the additional incoming support from the country districts, was a most favorable beginning. Ho was glad to inform tho meeting that in reference to tho debit balance against the Exchange of £ll -is 6d ; several subscribers had paid their last year's subscription, and that the liability had in consequence been reduced to £S. [Hear, hear.] He hoped, in order that the Corn Exchange might be a success, the members would act more unitedly than they iad hitherto done. The bad cropping of last year had considerably militated against the Exchange, and, generally speaking, the force of circumstances had been much against the farmers. Before concluding his remarks he asked those present to remember the good old maxim that “ Heaven helped those who helped themselves,” and that “those who would bo free must themselves strike the first blow.” [Applause.] He then called on the secretary to read the'minutes of the previous meeting. The minutes were read and confirmed, after which the secretary read tho following report : The undersigned, who were appointed by tho subscribers to audit the accounts for the past year in connection with the Corn Exchange, hereby certify that they have examined the fame and find them perfectly correct as shown in statement appended to this report. The auditors wish to remark that, considering the past is the first year, your secretary has brought considerable business experience and tact to bear in dealing with the affairs of tho Corn Exchange, and has, in our opinion, acted in every way to promote the beat interests of both buyers and -sellers. To the Chairman and Directors oMhe Corn Exchange. Accounts referred to: XiIABIIiITIES. £ s. d. To Kent to pay 50 0 0 ~ Outstanding creditors 51 6 9 .£lOl 6 9 ASSETS. £ s. d. By Balance at Bank, 160 3s 9d, leael£79T.ls 2d cheques not presented ... ... 89 12 7 By Outstanding accounts ... ... 5 18 8 By Balance deficit 5 15 6 £lOl 6 9 The Chairman said that the item of £5 18s 81 was for the railway charges paid on consignments of produce to the Corn Exchange for sale, which were still held. Mr Charles Bourne moved, and Sir’Craoroft Wilson seconded —“ That the report be received and adopted.” Carried nem. con. Tho next business wao the appointment of the directors. Mr Meßeath expressed himself as being in favor of the re-election of the old committee. The chairman could no doubt testify to thoir ability, and perhaps better men could not be got. The Chairman, in reply, stated that he would sooner leave that point for the members present to settle. [Laughter.] Mr Allan said he thought that before the directors were re-tleoted, tho rules had better be framed and adopted. He understood that it had been left an open question at the last meeting. Mr Bruce thought tho matter of the rules had better for the present be left to the directors. After such had been duly considered, they could be submitted to the subscribers for approval. A r ter a little further discussion.

Mr Charles Bourne proposed, and Sir Oracroft Wilson seconded—“ That tweatyone members constitute the board of management.”

Mr Peryman asked the chairman whether the number of the old committee was twentyone or twenty-four. The Chairman stated that the number was twenty-one, although a larger one would more generally, he thought, represent the interests of the various districts.

After suggestions from several of the members relative to the number of the committee. The Chairman continuing, said that tho Corn Exchange would also become better known to the outsiders by having a large and mixed committee, it would be well for each district to be well represented, so that their views might have weight in political circles, and make themselves heard and known as farmers, who were sturdy men and were not to be worked about as the Government of the day might think -fit. The motion on being put to the meeting was carried.

Mr Mcrßeabh proposed, and Mr George King seconded—•" That the old committee be re-elected, and that the names of Messrs Hancsck and 'Hy. -Overton -take the place of Messrs E. Amyes and Merton.” Mr fiawle moved as an amendment, seconded by Mr Banks—“ That the members be elected seriatim.” The amendment was carried. Mr Banka asked the chairman whether all the members who had been proposed were subscriber*-?

The Chairman replied in the affirmative. The following gentlemen were then elected a committee of management for the current year:—Messrs Bruce, John Overton, G. King, E. H. Banks, W, Hy. Peryman, W. Henderson, Charles Bourne, J. J. Herrick, Jas. Gammack, Laidley, H. J. Mathias, Toosey, Attwood, Hy. Overton. Alex. Paterson, G. B. Woodman, David Dick, Eobert Patton, Bev O’Callaghan, Samuel Bailey, and H. Allington. Mr Charles Bourne stated that although the committee of management only consisted of twenty-one members, he felt sure the feeling of those elected was that the views of any of the subscribers would bo gladly entertained at any lime when tho Board was sitting, as the object of all concerned was to pull together. [Hear, hear.] Mr W. H. Peryman proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr Thomas Bruce) for the unremitting attention he had bestowed on the cause of the Corn Exchange. He (Mr Peryman) felt sure that the farmers of Canterbury had derived considerable advantages from the establishment of the Corn Exchange. Mr Sawle stated that if the mover would kindly include the directors as well in the resolution, he would have much pleasure in seconding it. Mr Peryman thought as ho was one of the directors it would scarcely he consistent for him to move a resolution in their favor.

Mr Sawle therefore moved a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman and retiring directors for the voluntary attention which they had, for the past twelve months, given to the management of the Corn Exchange. To obtain the great advantages derivable from suck an institution, it was necessary that the members should do all they could to gain converts to their cause. [Hear, hear ] Mr .Jenkins seconded tho vote of thanks, which was carried unanimously. Mr Bnme, on behalf of his co-directors and himself, .returned thanks. He hoped tho directors for the present year would be more assiduous them some of their predecessors, as it was very jhard for the willing ones to bo regular in attendance, and have besides to hunt about for others to form a quorum. [Great cheering ] The meeting then terminated.