WESTLAND A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1920, Page 1

WESTLAND A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of the above Association was held at Kokatalii on Saturday last, there being a good attendance of members. Alr L. H. Morel (President) occupied the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL DEPORT.

The 27th annual report of your Association is here presented to you for consideration.

At the last annual meeting the members present elected as their Executive Committee the following:—Mr L. 11. Morel, President; Mr E. Wall, VicePresident; Mr J. Fleming, Treasurer; and Messrs T. l\ O’Neil, E. C. Marshall, J. Vallance, D. Clarke, J. Monk, W. O’Reilly, R. A. Mareourt, W. Harris and J. Smith, Committee. During the early part of the spring of last year the Minister of Agriculture paid a visit to this district, and two of the Department’s officers addressed a meeting of farmers at Kokatalii, and a promise was given that the Department would establish a demonstration plot at Kokatalii, if a suitable plot of 130 to •50 acres could be obtained. After your Executive had gone to considerable trouble in selecting an area, it was decided That a portion if Mr J. Monk’s farm be offered, which was accordingly done; but ,as usual, the Department of Agriculture took no further action, and apparently has let the matter drop. • An early start was made at the Lime Kiln last season, but during the workingperiod there were several unforeseen stoppages, which necessitated the closing down of the kiln, temporarily, to effect repairs - . The leakage of water in the kiln is troublesome, and further alteration will have to be done before the burning season commenet'S again.

The race cutting necessary to divert part of Smith’s Creek to the lime kiln, authorised at last annual meeting, and to cost CIA, was not completed owing to shortage of labour; hilt I Would recommend that this work be carried out now while labour is available. A shed lias been erected with a concrete floor for the purpose of storing lime, and proved ot great benefit. Coal was very difficult to obtain until lately, and caused the manager much inconvenience. The present manager—Mr J. Smith—is leaving the Association employ at an early date, and it will be most difficult to fill the position with a capable man, as the working oi the kiln is difficult, and takes up a lot of extra nine, over and above the ordinary working hours. I would recommend that the manager’s salary lie increased to six pounds per week, and that members’ subscription be increased to £2 2s to those using over A tons of lime, and £ l Is to those using under A tons of lime per season.

During the past sea sin 884 tons 14cwt of lime was sold to farmers, Init owing to idle high cost of production it was found necessary to increase the price ol all round hy 5s per ton, in order to make ends meet.—Received. The election of officers lor the ensuing year resulted as follows: President : Mr L. 11. Morel (re-elect-ed). Vice-President: -Mr F. Wall (re-eleot- . • 'Treasurer: Mr J. Fleming. Secretary: Mr J. Hart. Committee: Messrs T. P. O’Neil, V m. O’Reilly, F. C. Marshall, D. Clarke, J. Monk, R. A. Harcourt, N. Harris, J. Smith, and R. Tlouliston. The following'resolutions were carried : (1) That Mr Smith’s offer of fid per" 100 feet royalty on all timber cut to date off the Association’s property he accepted, and that in future the royalty he charged at Is per 100 feet. (0) That the work of cutting race to divert Smith’s creek, to cost £'ls, he carried out. (3)Tkat owing to the resignation of the manager, Mr Jno. Smith, applications lie called for new manager for kiln. (I) That the annual subscription for members he increased to one guinea. (5) That any repairs or alterations to the lime kiln he left to the new manager to arrange. The price of lime for the coming year was fixed as follows: vi l ?., 35s per ton to members who are guarantors; 40s per ton to members who are not guarantors : and 45s per ton to non-members. Mr R. A. Harcourt inoved that a protest be sent to the County Council for consenting to the laying of a tram along a public road, and that a copy of same he sent to the Minister of Agriculture, and also the Minister of Public Works. Seconded by Mr R. Hcmliston and carried. . .

A vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to the ex-manager, and also to the retiring secretary.