ROSS LIME COY

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1928, Page 1

ROSS LIME COY

SUPPORT OF FARMERS NEEDED. A meeting of the West Coast Farmers’ Executive was held at the County Council Chambers, Greymouth, last Saturday morning, for the purpose of reviewing the financial position of the Ross Lime Coy., which at present has liabilities totalled £1500,. and is not being sufficiently supported by the farmers of the district to enable it to pay its way. Mr J. -Mu lea re presided over a good attendance of members, and outlined the serious financial position of the Company. The present sales are not sufficient to enable the Company to carry on. and it was necessary that something lie attempted whereby a change be effected to relieve the finances and make the Company self-supporting; otherwise, it would have to cease operations. Members reviewed the position at length, and agreed that the liabilities now standing at £ISOO were brought about through the lack of organisation and the poor support given by the farmers, who were not purchasing the lime in the quantities necessary to make the works pay. There has not been a directors’ meeting, excepting the annual one, for two years. The expense of producing the lime at the present time worked out at £1 per ton. The lime is good, hut one of the reasons why the farmers of the district were not buying it, is because of the price charged, £2 5s per ton for burnt. Mr W. Clayton suggested that a committee lie set up to go thoroughly into the question, and report back to a full meeting. The farmers should no induced to take an interest in the company’s affairs, and the works boosted. The manager, Mr Murdoch, stated that if the sales could lie built up to an average of twelve tons of burnt lime per day, tlie total present liabilities of the Company would he paid off within two years. A Committee was finally set up, consisting of Messrs Allan McDonald ;Totara 'Flat'), H. G. Carter, AY. Clayton. \Y Butler, Thomas, and . Aluleare, t" go thoroughly into the position, and later report to a meeting of shareholders.