PUBLIC MEETING.
An influential meeting of gentlemen connected with Invercargill and the Province generally, took place yesterday afternoon in the Southland Club Hotel, for the purpose of taking steps for tho establishment of a flour mill in the Province. Amongst those present we observed the following, Y j z . — Messrs. Matthew Holme*, N. Chalmers, J. Harvey, J. M' Donald, D. M' Donald, T. M. M'Donald, Carey, Giiles, (2) Miller, Henderson, Bonar, Johnstone, Mowat, Button, Beaven, Hare, Osborne, &c. N. Chalmers, Esq., was called upon to preside. The Chairman then introduced the subject to the meeting, and made a few remarks on tho great want which was felt by the absence of a Hour mill in the Province. It was as much wanted by the farmers as by any others, as although they turned then- attention to the cultivation of wheat, they were placed at a great disadvantage in not having it in their power to send the produce of their lands to a mill. The introduction of a mill, he thought, would prove a very great benefit to the Province, as it would stimulate the settlers to the increased cultivation of cereals, which would in turn act as a check on the importation of these articles into the Province on the scalo, or at all events on the terms, on which they were presently sent. Mr. Holmes now addressed the meeting. Ho said the subject of a flour mill had been suggested to him sometime since, while travelling through the Province, by the farmers with whom he came in contact. He was aware of quantities of wheat he'vvj now in the hands of farmers who should be glad of the opportunity to send it to a mill, and it was his firm opinion that, with the introduction of a flour mill, the fanners of Southland would at once increase the area of land uucler wheat crop. Iv addition to a Hour mill, he should desire to ■ see an oatmeal mill in conjunction with it. At present we import our oatmeal from Scotland, and even from Melbourne, where they cannot grow oats, and it was to him a matter of surprise if the people of Southland could not grow their oats and have them converted into meal on terms as favorable, if not very much more so, as they could import the article from these places, iv the grinding of oa-ls into iiu!:i], a kiln was necessary, and he would likowisa SllggC^t that tilts kiln be used in the milling of inalfc. lit) thought malt could be made at all times with a fair proiit. Thr> average price of the article in Melbourne for. the past ten years was 10s. per bushel, and it was further to be consi.iered that tho demand would continue for all time coming. It was found that the Australian climate did not permit of tho growth of barley with success, and as the climate of New Zealand not only was advantageous for the growth of barley, but also for the 'making of malt, they might reckon on a kind of monopoly of this trade. He certainly considered that the threefold project of a flour, oatmeal, and malt mill should bo entertained by the meeting, aud he had no doubt whatever of the success of the undertaking. It was possible that it might not pay a profit for a year or two, but that was no reason why they should not have it. It was an actual necessity ; besides which he had no doubt of the great" benefit to the Province generally by the introduction of the mills proposed. He should move — "That a company be formed, and ! that, the capital consist of £10,000 in 1000 shares oi £10 each " Mr. Beaven was glad to second the motion, but in doing so lie suggested that the proposed capital was too large. lie thought the undertaking could be carried out at a much less outlay. Mr. Holmes — It would not be contemplated to call up the whole of the £10,000. It may very possibly be found that £1,000 or £5.000 will" cover the present outlay. Of course in such an undertaking the best machinery would require to bn procured from Britain, and this would necessarily involve a considerable outlay of itselt. Mr. Beaven appeared satisfied with the explanation given. He considere I also that there should be a combination amongst the farmers to aid the company in their enterprise. If there were not, the company mi^ht turn round upon the fanners* and say that they had a mill, but there was no grain to send to it The two parties should therefore agree to in a measure aid each other in the concern. He did not believe, however, that the farmers would require to be told of this, as it would at once recommend itself to them. He knew, likewise, that there was five tunes as much land sown in wheat this season as there had been since tho Province became a Province. Mr. Harvey, Solicitor, thought there could be no question as to the desirability of the establishment of such a concern as the one proposed. Ho referred to the question of oatmeal as one instance. The oatmeal sold, he said, in the Province was, | in consequence of the long sea voyage, very much tainted, and was not at all like tho j fresh article new from the mill. It was also retailed at a very high figure, and he was certain j that the company could compete in price. If they could not produce it at a less cost than sd. per lb. (the present selling price), he had no doubt the fresh oatmeal would be preferred to the imported article. He would suggest that the company be formed under the system of limited liability, and he would become a shareholder, as although the speculation might not prove to be a profitable concern at the first, it would be the means of conferring great benefits on the Province, and he considered such a project, having the prosperity of the Province at heart, should receive every support, (hea<', hear). Mr. John M'Donald stated his experience in the malting trade in Melbourne, where, amongst maltsters, the New Zealand barley was preferred to all other kinds. He therefore thought the proposal for the making of malt a good one, as it would most likely lead to a ready proiit. Mr. Holmes' motion for the formation o£ the company being carried, Mr. Harvey moved that the company be formed under tho system of limited liability, with a capital of £10,000 in shares of £10 each, and to be named the Southland Grain Mills Company, Limited. Mr. William Miller seconded the resolution, which was cai'ried unanimously. Mr. GrLLES then moved that the following gentlemen be appointed a committee to draw up a' prospectus of the company, viz. : — Messrs. Holmes Beaven, Mowat, M'Donald, Hare, Henderson, Button, Miller,' Pantlin, and. the mover. .. ■ . Mr. J; S. Johnston seconded tho motion, \vhich was carried- unanimously. . • . '•]|^.''MjTiMg-"<3a^"trii^ggetltfed : ' tfcfe appg«iatuat>ufc
of a secretary -to the company, and proposed that Mr. John- M'Donald be chosen* . ' Mr. M'Donaxd expressed his unwillingness to ' act. ' ""' ' ' / Mr. Holmes now said that in consequence of there being such a large attendance of parties interested in the matter, the meeting should take into consideration the site for the mill. The farmers expressed a wish that it should be somewhere in the country, but he was of opinion that it would best serve the interests of all if it were in InvercargilL as the common centre. He had . seen the Superintendent on the subject of obtaining, ground on the banks of the P'uui Creek, but it appears that all this land ia kept in reserve for the purposes, of the railway, the traffic of which was expected to necessitate the occupation of the whole of it (laughter). The Superintendent, however, had suggested ..that a site may be had near the wharf, and he (Mr. Holmes) certainly thought the situation a suitable one. Mr. John" M'Donald broached the expense of fuel. Mr HoLMBS in reply aaid that they could get plenty of fuel from Seaward Bush, and when that source failed, they would probably get coal cheaper than they could carry wood. He thought they should look forward to the exporting of oatmeal and malt. He would Certainly not like the mill placed out of the town. His experience m other Colonies was that steam power within town could compete on favorable terms with water power out of the town. Mr. Beayen agreed with the remarks made by Mr. Holmes. Mr. Gclles proposod tho ground beyond the Railway Station. Mr Holmes — That was what I suggested, but it is required for railway purposes. Mr. G-illes — Yes, when wo are all in our graves ! After some further conversation, it was agreed that the committee be instructed to secure a site near the jetty, and fronting the bay. Mr. Holmes. — If there is nothing else before the meeting.^the next best tiling to do is to open the share list, and put down our names for a good sum each. Mr. Osborne. — If not too late, I would suggest that the value of the shares be reduced. It would benefit the small farmers much if the shaves were one-half, i.e., £5. Mr. Beaven and others thought £10 would be little enough for any one who had any interest in the affair and the feeling of the meeting was unanimous on this point. A subscription sheet was then handed round, after whi eh the meeting broke up.
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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 15 September 1864, Page 3
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1,597PUBLIC MEETING. Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 15 September 1864, Page 3
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