WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 20, 10 June 1871, Page 15

WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

MEAT PRESERVING COMPANY. A meeting of the shareholders and other parlies interested in the Wairarapa Boiling-down and Meat Preserving Companies was held at the Bising Sun, Greytown, on Friday afternoon. There was a large attendance from all parts of the valley, and much interest appeared to be taken in the question by all present. The meeting had been duly advertised in the Independent and the “ Mercury,” and 1 am assured by one of the promoters that it would have also been advertised in the Mail had time allowed, as he considered that journal was peculiarly well-suited for the publication of such announcements, having a large circulation in the country districts, and being in fact a farmer’s newspaper. After some delay in the expectation of the arrival of the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, J. Tully Esq. was unanimously voted to the chair. The chairman read the advertisement convening the meeting, and explained that its object was to establish a meat preserving company in the Wairarapa. Mr C. Pharazyn said that a large committee had been appointed at a former meeting to take action in the matter, which had designated its duties to sub-committee, of Mr G. Beetham had been the most active and useful member. At a meeting held at the Upper Hutt he had tried to get a resolution passed having for its object the appointment of a joint committee from the promoters of the two projects, in order that they might be amalgamated, and one strong company thereby be constituted. But as that meeting consisted chiefly of Hutt residents his resolution was rejected, and in consequence he (Mr P.) and others immediately withdrew their names from the list of shareholders, as he believed that if the two projects were launched, one at the Hutt and the other at Featherston, the latter was more likely to prove successful. Already 476 cash shares, and 359 stock shares had been taken in the proposed Wairarapa Company, but the sub-committee had come to the conclusion that it would not be advisable to commence operations until shares representing £4OOO in cash and £4OOO in stock, in addition to the actual value of the boiling down company’s works, which they had .put down at a guess at £SOO, had been taken up. It would then have a capital of £BSOO to start with. Before this amount could be obtained some 330 cash shares, and 440 stock shares were required to be taken in the company, in addition to those which had been already subscribed ; and if the district was really in earnest in wishing for a meat preserving company to be established that number of shares would be taken up in the course of the next fortnight; in which case he thought the project of establishing works at the Hutt would be abandoned. Since their last meeting much valuable information had been published relative to the preserved meat’lVidustry, which left no doubt on his mind that, if properly conducted, it would prove a profitable investment. He believed that the Wairarapa could support one good establishment, but that it would not be able to supply sufficient stock to keep two in constant operation. This was an important matter, as the wages of their skilled workmen would have to be paid whether the works were kept going, or had to stand idle, owing to a want of a regular and constant supply of stock. It was for this reason he had been so anxious for the two projects to be amalgamated. The Sub Committee recommended that the words “ boilingdown” should be omitted from the name of the new company, and should be simply called “The Wairarapa Meat Preserving Company,” and he would conclude by moving a resolution to that effect. The resolution was seconded by Mr Beetham, and unanimously adopted. Mr T. C. Williams moved that the capital of the company be £BOOO, £4OOO in cash shares, and £4OOO in stock shares, in addition to the Boiling Down Company’s property at Featherston, which property should be taken at its actual value, and paid for in scrip. Tt would not be fair to the shareholders in the new company to pay more for the boiling-down works at Featherston than they were actually worth. In answer to Mr Caselberg he said that the company would not take ten £1 shares in the old company as equivalent to two £5 shares in the new company, but the

latter proposed to take over the boilingdown property at its present actual cash value, to be determined by a valuation. Mr Beetham said that Mr Braithwaite had accused the stockowners of the Wairarapa and East Coast of possessing neither cash, energy, or unity of action, and he trusted that they would show that he was egregiously mistaken, and that they were not to be humbugged into the belief that the proper site of meat preserving works was not at the Wairarapa, but at the Upper Hutt, where a large expenditure, and not the interests of stockowners, was alone regarded. MU Pharazyn understood that the Boilingdown company were willing to dispose of their shares in the purchase of shares in the new company, not at their nominal but at their present actual value, which would not be much if meat preserving works were to be established unconnected with the works at Featherston. He was glad Mr Caselberg had mentioned the subject, as the greatest obstacle they had to contend against in canvassing for the new company in Wellington was the prevailing idea there that the shares in the Boiling-down Company were to be taken up by the new company at their nominal value. Mr Warded said that the resolution passed at their last meeting showed that the shareholders in the Boiling-down Company were willing to transfer their interest to the Meat Preserving Company at its actual value. There was no doubt whatever that boiling-down would have to be carried on in conjunction with meat preserving, for which the plant at Featherston was well adopted. After some further discussion, in which several gentlemen took part, the resolution was put to the meeting, and unanimously adopted. The following gentlemen were ■ then, after some discussion, elected a provisional board of directors : —G. M. Waterhouse, C. Pharazyn, G. Beetham, E. Pearce, J. Tully, J. Russell, and T. C. Williams, Esquires. Mr Pearce was unanimously chosen treasure^and Mr C. Pharazyn secretary. The latter stated that the provisional directors would call a meeting of the shareholders after the articles of association had been drawn up, and the company had been provisionally registered. The meeting then separated. Every confidence is felt by the promoters in the success of the company, a large number of additional shares having since the meeting been taken. But even then the number of shares taken does not represent the true state of feeling with regard to the project, as the returns from the Whareama and the East Coast are not in yet; besides which several large stockowners in the valley have promised to take shares, but were prevented from attending the meeting owing to the flooded state of the river. Support is also promised in Wellington as soon as it has been ascertained that the stockowners in the district are in earnest in their desire to establish a meat preserving company in the Wairarapa. The number of shares mentioned above represents only the number of shares actually agreed to be taken before the meeting commenced, and even that number represents an amount of “ cash, energy, and unity of purpose,” on the part of Wairarapa stock-owners which Mr Braithwaite did not give them credit for; It should be mentioned that 120,000 sheep in the Warehama district would be almost shut out were the works to be carried on at the Upper Hutt. It is firmly believed in the Wairarapa that such gentlemen as Mr Ludlam, Mr Bidwell, and Mr Barton will withdraw from the Hutt Company now they see that one will be established here. public ball. A grand ball came off at the Town Hall, Greytown, on Friday evening last, June 2nd, under the patronage of the Hon. G. M. Waterhouse, H. S. Wardell, Esq., Resident Magistrate, H. T. Spratt, Esq., coroner of the district, and other gentlemen. Messrs G. Bee-, tham, W. R. Hastwell, and T. Kempton, jun., the trustees of the building, were the stewards of the ball, and each, in his particular sphere, did his best to make it a success. The tickets were £1 each, and the net proceeds are to be devoted towards paying off the debt due on the hall, which amounts to the large sum of £250, for which the stewards are personally liable; as, owing to a supposed flaw in the title, a mortgage cannot be executed. The hall is a very substantial and spacious building, little

inferior to the Odd Fellows’ Hall in Wellington, and was designed rather for a country than a town hall, for which it is admirably adapted. As it was built for the use and benefit not merely of the settlers of Greytown, but of the inhabitants generally of the Wairarapa, it is hoped that by their patronage of a series of public balls, concerts, and other entertainments, to be given for the purpose of liquidating the debt due to the trustees, that this purpose may, in part at least, be effected. The evening, though exceedingly fine, was excessively cold; still there was a larger and more fashionable attendance than was anticipated. The Greytown band was present, and assisted in enlivening the proceedings. The refreshments had been under the exclusive superintendance of Mrs Hastwell and Mrs T. Kempton, jun., who received some assistance from Mrs Lucena, Mrs Hodge, and a few other ladies, who deserve much praise for the very excellent repast they had provided. Mr G. Beetham was indefatigable in his attendance on the wants of visitors, and performed the duty in a manner which could not fail to elicit warm commendation. Except the severity of the weather, for which of course the stewards were not responsible, everything was most satisfactory and pleasant, and everybody seemed happy. The absence of all exclusiveness on the occasion was one of its most agreeable features. I am glad to state that the net proceeds of the ball, owing to the judicious management of the stewards, amounted to upwards of £SO, a much larger sum than they anticipated. CONCERT. A concert in aid of the fund required to pay off the debt on the Masterton Church was given at the Court House, Masterton, on Wednesday evening last, which, in spite of the weather, was excellently attended ; so much so, indeed, that it is expected that the object for which it was given has been attained. Everyone was pleased with the entertainment, which, it was taken for granted, would prove a success. Much credit is due to Mr Knell, and to the other gentlemen and ladies who were kind enough to give him their valuable assistance. The programme was a most attractive one, and comprised popular and patriotic songs, duets, quartettes, and glees, all of which were well rendered, and some of them were deservedly encored, I cannot select any one piece for praise when all were so perfectly rendered. It is hoped that a similar concert will be given by the same parties at Greytown, where they will be sure to obtain a large, fashionable, and appreciative audience, particularly if given towards paying off the debts due on the Hall, or in aid of the fund for furnishing a public library and reading room at Greytown. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A congregational meeting of the above Church will be held at Masterton on Friday next in order to take such steps as may be necessary to represent their cause at the meeting of the Presbytery, to be held at Masterton on the 14th inst., relative to the application by the Turakina congregation for the Rev. J. Ross’ services in than district. GREYTOWN SCHOOL. It was resolved by the committee at a meeting held on Wednesday last, to advertise for a master and mistress for the above school, at a salary of £l5O per annum ; both teachers to hold certificates of competency from Mr Bowden. NEW HIGHWAYS BILL. The following resolution on the above subject was unanimously passed at a public meeting held at Masterton on the 29th ult: —“ That in the opinion of this meeting, the District Highway Act to be introduced into the Provincial Government, while it will absorb the present District Board, which has worked to our entire satisfaction, offers no such adequate means for our wants, and will, we fear, prove cumbrous and unsatisfactory in its working.”