WEST COAST MEAT & PRODUCE EXPORT COMPANY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1103, 24 October 1883, Page 2

WEST COAST MEAT & PRODUCE EXPORT COMPANY.

General Meeting of* Shai*eholder»: The first general meeting of shareholders in the above company, was held at St. James’ Hall this afternoon at 3 o’clock. There was a large attendance, amongst those present being Messrs W Wilson, J Paterson, A Palmer, J Wil-. liamson, A Howie, Jas Patterson, J McLean, J G Baker, T Nicholson, Barra clongh, G H Norman, W Cowern, R C Tennent, S Taplin, Josiah Richards, Huston, Horner, Shaw, W C Symes, Fairweathor, Christie, Howitt, J G Beamish, Barton, Bremer, Hawes, Pearce, Parsons, Whishaw, O’Sullivan, Gibson, Jardine, Clayton* Nicholson, E Payne, J V Smith, T Haywood, H E ’ Deane, J Burke, Mahony, O Symes, A Hunter, Honeyfield, Livingstone, Nolan, LuptoU, E| J Morgan, Ross, Keating, Ball, ,G; T), Hamerton, Bright, Imrie, W Gower, Wood, Perry, Hawken, Orchard, G Balmforth, W Balmfortb, P Hurley, G T Bayly, R A Adams, G Bridge, W Tayler, M Hunter, J Bayiey, G Me Lean, E F Symes, P C Gowland, F Riddiford, J Sheild, A Drake, F 0 Sparks, &c.

Mr W. Wilson was voted to the chair and read the advertisement in the Mail calling the meeting. He said they would be aware that the matter of starting this company had first been mooted at a meeting of the Agricultural an 1 Pastoral Association. They had found that owing to ; the depression in the district and the colony generally they would have to take steps to help themselves, as they had tried outsiders and found that if they had to depend upon them they wonld receive no help at all. At the meeting a committee was appointed to collect information, and correspondence with firms in various parts of the colony was entered into. Upon receipt of replies it was decided to send a deputation to Wellington, and Messrs R. B. Hamilton and W. Gower proceeded there to collect all the information they could about the freezing of moat, cost of plant, &c. By this "means they were enabled to start the company with some confidence as to results. It was thought necessary that meat tinning should be added to freezing, but of course that was a matter for the shareholders to decide. Several sites for works had been inspected by a committee who were appointed for that purpose and they had fixed upon a site on this side of the river. It was somewhat sandy, but there was plenty of

grass land upon which lo erect the works. It had been stated that the sand might discolour the meat but he thought if that were so the difficulty could be got over. At any rate there was no other site so suitable. They could get a lease from the Harbour Board for 42 years, at a moderate rent. There was plenty of water and a good site for a wharf, and they could at a small cost reclaim the sand if found detrimental to the company’s operations. The company had met with a large degree of success. Although he would hate liked to have seen all the shares taken up, still they had received more applications than they had expected, in fact far more than the amount originally fixed upon, which was £6OOO. Deposits had been paid upon 1618 shares and there were 99 more which he thought wonld come in. They were now here for the election of directors, which he supqosed they would now proceed to, unless any gentleman wish© i to ask any questions upon details of the committee’s work, which no doubt wonld be answered. (Applause.) Mr Christie thought it would be better to read over the Articles of Association. There were certain matters in reference to voting that it might be desirable should be heard. Chairman agreed that it might be the best thing to do. Mr Cowcrn said that he had heard it questioned if the meeting was legally called according lo the Act. He under stood that the Company was not registered and he would like to ask the solicitor if they could elect the directors. Mr Hamcrton said that the Company was registered, and they could proceed wi»h their business. Mr Nolan asked if it was not usual to submit the articles of association to the shareholders before they wore registered. There were plenty of people who did not know the contents. Ho for one did not, and would like to hear them. Chairman said a committee was appointed, of which he was one. They spent a considerable lime over the matter, and drew np what they thought wonld he suitable. Mr Hnmerton then read the Articles over. (Left silling.)