DAIRY MERGER

Grey River Argus, 14 September 1937, Page 3

DAIRY MERGER

IN WESTLAND Progress of Movement KOKATAHI-KOITERANGI DIRECTORS ELECTED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, September 13. Over seventy dairy producers of the Kokatahi and Koiterangi districts met on Saturday evening at Kokatahi, they being shareholders in the Co-operative Dairy Company just formed in Westland in connection with amalgamation movement, and this being the largest meeting of dairy farmers to be held in the district.

Mr. Mark Wallace, who was voted to the chair, gave an outline of the movement toward amalgamation. He stated the present provisional direci tors of the newly formed company had agreed to resign office, in order I that a district representation of directors may be appointed for election by the total shareholders joining the movement. A general meeting of all shareholders was to be held in Hokitika on Thursday to make these definite appointments. The allocation of directors for the various districts was as follows:— Kokatahi-Koiterangi 4, Arahura 2. Ross 1, and Waitaha 1. However, as the total suppliers from Arahura had not yet joined in the scheme, one director only would be allotted for that district in the meantime, and the extra given to Kokatahi-Koiterangi. He mentioned the producers had agreed by ballot vote to purchase the

wesrianct juairy voinpauys puptrny and plant as a going concern for £15,000 and an option to that effect had been given the new Co-operative Dairy by the directors of the former company. The deal had to be completed on, or before 7th. November this year. Up to the present, about 125 members had subscribed for over 12,000 £1 shares, and the cows guar- | anteed for supply were over 4,000. ■ The scheme had therefore worked (very well and the launching was asI sured of success. The question of ! appointment of directors now arose, and it was for the meeting to decide as to the mode of appointment. The meeting agreed upon election as from the Kokatahi-Koiterangi districts as a whole. Fifteen directors were then nominated and as only five were re-

quired, a ballot election look piace. The results were as follows: Elected, Messrs M. Wallace, J. Smith, W. A. Jamieson, J. Monk and N. Harris. The Arahura district, stated the chairman, had already me* and appointed Mr. C. Cook, of Kaihinu, and the settlers of Ross and Waitaha were meeting on Monday for election of their representative director. At the conclusion of the meeting, the elected candidates thanked the electors for support and confidence bestowed. Mr. Wallace, in expressing thanks for his election, hoped he would be worthy of the trust and confidence bestowed upon him. He would do I bic. nfrnnet tn mrihn a SUCCeSS of the

venture, which additionally with other directors, required the sympathetic assistance of all concerned. The method of director election was as democratic as possible, and the producers themselves would be to blame in the event of any failure, and he trusted all would work in the best interests of the man on the farm, who is carrying the load. Mr. Jamieson, returning thanks, stated they were all well aware he was not a large dairy supplier, but he had supported the amalgamation scheme for the last 14 years. He was very pleased the project was about to bear fruit. The first year would be the most difficult one to negotiate, but the directors appointed were all successful business men and doubtless their assistance would be of Invaluable help in steering the company to similar success. Mr. N. Harris thanked the meeting for support. He was not looking forward to the first year as being an easy one, but would render his best services in the interests of the company and the farming community. Mr. J. Monk, thanked the electors for the confidence bestowed and gave assurance of his whole hearted support for the Company. Mr. J. Smith, said he appreciated the trust conferred upon him. He knew it would be a trying year, but would do his best for the company and suppliers. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, scrutineers (Messrs T. Ecclesfield and H. Boddlngton), and the secretary (Mr. H. T. Parry), for their services in conducting the poll.