The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “TE ORA MOTA IWI.” FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1902.

Motueka Star, Volume III, Issue 141, 19 December 1902, Page 3

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “TE ORA MOTA IWI.” FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1902.

A notice of some importance to the farmers and other producers in this district is to be held in the Church of England Schoolroom, tomorrow night when Mr Leigh Hunt, Organising Secretary of the N.Z. Farmers’ Co operative Distributing Company will deliver an address with reference to the (.rjcanisation He is associated with a'nd on whose behalf he is at present visiting the Nelson District.' At the last meeting of the Borough. Council the Town Clerk stated that there was about .£IBO owing for last year's rates. ' : A summonsed meeting of the Loyal’ Motueka Lodge of Oddfellows will be held on Saturday evening when the election of officers for the ensuing year will take place A poll for the Southern Maori electorate will be held at the Court House Motueka, on Monday next. The poll opens at 9 a.m., and closed at fourp.m. Messrs Parata and Tekao are the candidates. CHANGE OF WATER Often brings on diarrhoea. For this reason many experienced travellers carry a bottle of Chamberlain’s Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy with them to be used in case of an emergency. This preparation has no equal as a cure for bowel corn" plaints. It can not be obtained while on board the cars or steamship, and that is where it is most likely to be needed. Buy a bottle before leaving home. A. Manoy sells it. .—r"' U

MOTUEKA FRUIT GROWER’S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The official opening of the large factory erected at the port for the above company took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of a considerable number of -shareholders and the public, ladies being much in evidence notwithstanding the high wind that prevailed during the day. The building was tastefully decorated for the occasion and a temporary platform erected on which were seated directors and invited guests, including Mr R. McKenzie, M H.R., His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. S. Wratt), and Mr S. Kirkpatrick, of the universally known K Jam Factory of Nelson. Apologies were received from Mr Henry Baigent, Mayor of Nelson, and Mr J. C. Blackmore, Government Pomologist, both of

whom wished the company, a prosperous career. .

The chair was taken by Mr A. Edwards who in his opening remarks, detailed what had, been done by the directors in the direction of forming the company, the object of the shareholders being to find a fair market for their produce without in any way interfering with those engaged in the manufacture of jam. The committee had worked well and energetically together and everything was now going on smoothly. After referring to the convenient buildingthey.now possessed which was designed by their manager, Air J. A. Findlay, and Air Miller the Contractqe/~|he speaker called upon All* McKenzie to formally open the factory. . Mr McKenzie, who was well received, expressed pleasure at Jjemg present a nd : referred to the district as a prosperous one, and one that was undoubtedly going ahead. The present company.wns starting on economical lines and would po doubt in time provide itself with the usual canning appliances for dealing-w4%h the fruit. The Alotueka and Riwaka. districts were the fruit garden of New Zealand, there being no other portions of the colony more suitable for fruit culture. After quoting statistics as to the quantity of fruit imported into New Zealand, the speaker said there was an unlimited market for all that was grown. The promoters and directors were deserving of great credit for helping themselves in the matter of the factory and he had no doubt, if,the company ever desired assistance to develop the industry the Government would render it. He felt sure /all present would wish the comevery success in their efforts to establish a factory for the canning and preserving of fruit, an industry of which Air Kirkpatrick was the pioneer. Air McKenzie also hoped that kindred .factories would be established in their midst, as with other industries started the difficulty of procuring suitable .labor would be.minimised. The speaker concluded by declaring the factory now open, wishing -the company every success apd thanking the directors for the opportunity of being present.

, His Worship the Alayor referred to the great strides which had been made in Motueka during,the past six years, which was no doubt owing to the circulation of money received from the cultivation of small fruits and hops. He believed the district would benefit in the future by the establishment of the factory and he wished the society 7 every success in the undertaki ug, fully believing at the same time the directors would do their best to make it a success. [Mr Wratt’s remarks re ivharf extension willappear nextweekj. Mr Kirkpatrick, who was well received, said he had come over at some inconvenience' to his business in order to take part in the official opening. He wished it to be understood phere was no jealousy between his firm and the present company ; in fact, some years ago he had given «£5 to Mr Everett to assist in founding a fruitgrowers’ association. He claimed to be the first to start a jam factory in New Zealand as a separate industry—twenty years ago. After givihgi his hearers valuable information as to the kinds of fruit to be grown, the necessity of grading and sending nothing but the best of fruit to the market, Mr Kirkpatrick urged the growers to find, out the qualities of fruit suitable for their holdings and then grow them for all they were worth—then they would make-money, for they had the finest district in New Zealand for fruit growing. The speaker also referred to the adulteration of jam which should be stopped—then more fruit would be required and the genuine article placed on the market. He concluded by vishing the company every success and said he would be

I glad to help them in every possible way. Excellent speeches, all of a congratulatory nature, and incidentally dealing with the advantages gained by cooperating, were also delivered by Messrs H. Everett, T. Pattie, W. Mofihtt, and Alexander, after which the proceedings were brought to a close by a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, which was proposed by Mr McKenzie. In the evening an enjoyable social and dance was held in the building, there being a good attendance of the public. Just before the proceedings were brought to a close Mr R. Rankin in a short speech complimented the manager, Mr Findlay, on the satisfactory manner in which he had carried out the day’s function, his remarks being greeted with applause.