PUBLIC MEETING.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 47, 17 September 1864, Page 7

PUBLIC MEETING.

An influential meeting of gentlemen connected with Invcrcargill and the Province generally, took place yesterday afternoon in the Southland Club Hotel* for the purpose of taking steps for the establishment of a flour mill in the Province. Amongst those present we observed the following, viz. : — Messrs. Matthew Holmes, K 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 Ch.aih.man then introduced the subject to the meeting, and made a few remarks on the great want which was felt by the absence of a flour mill in the Province. It was as much wanted by the farmers as by any others, as although they turned their 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 scale, or at all events on the terms, on which they were presently sent. Mr. Holmes now addressed the mesting. He paid 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 being now in the hands of farmers who should be glad of the opportunity to sond it to a mill, and it was his firm opinion that, with the introduction of a flour mill, the farmers of Soutliland would at once increase the area of land uuder wheat crop. In addition to a flour mill, he should desire to sec an oatmeal mill in conjunction with. it. At j 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. In the grinding of oats into meal, a kiln was necessary, and he would likewise suggest that this kiln be used in the making of malt. He thought malt could be made at all times with a fair profit. The average price of the article in Melbourne for tli3 past ten years was 10s. per bushel, and it was further to be considered that the demand would contin uo for all time coming. It was found that the Australian climate did not permit of the growth of barley with success, and as the climate of New Zealand not only was ad\ antageous 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 be entertained by the meeting^ and 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 of £10 each :) Mr. Beaten was glad to second the motion, but in doing so .he suggested that the proposed capital was too large. He 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 £4,000 or £5.000 will cover the present outlay. Of course in such an undertaking the. best machinery would require to be procured from Britain, and tins would necessarily involve a considerable outlay of itself. Mr. Beaten appeared satisfied with the explanation given. He considered also that there should be a combination amongst the farmers to aid the company in their enterprise. If there were not, the company might turn round upon the farmers and say that they had a mill, but there was no gram to send to it. The two parties shoidd 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 times as much land sown in wheat this season as there had been since the Province became a Province. Mr. Harvey, Solicitor, thought there could be no question as to the desirability of the establishment of snch a concern as the one proposed. He 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 the fresh article new from the mill. It was also retailed at a very high figure, and he was certain that the company could compete in price. H 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 w.dulcl become a shareholder, as although the specidation 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, (hear, hear). Mr. John M-Donald stated his experience m 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 P™ nt ; . Mr. Holmes' motion for the formation ot the co:mr>anv being carried," „ ,_, _....,._..- Mr Harvey. . moved that the company : be -formed under the 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. ', • r '•-•••.:,,.. , „ Mr. William Mxllbb, seconded the resolution, ' | which was carried unanimously." Mr. G-m.ES then moved tliat the following genfcenien be appointeU a committee .to draw up a prospectus of the company, viz. :— Messrs. Holmes Beaven, .Mowat, M'Donald, Hare, Henderson. i Button, Miller, Pautlin,' and the mover. Mi*, J. S. 1 Johnston seconded the ; motion, wMcH was carried unanimously.

! -. Mr. Milebb. then, suggested J;lie^.ap.point.i?eiit ■of a secretary to .the , company, and proposed ttiat Mr-:* John M'Donaidjbe^ipsen.^ ]x \ I ()j,J[-& ; * Mr. M'Donald expressed his unwillingness to i act. " ' ■ . : ■. ■■■■'•> .. ' ;:■"■■.-. „ Mr. Holmes now said that in consequence oi there-being, such, a large attodance of p^artieß in-tereafced-in^tne iha'tte*, theVjnectingishouia take into consideration the site for the null. The farmers expressed aswishf thaj^ifc 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 naci seen the-Superintendent ontiie^ject^ obtarn-. ing ground%th^-iDaaiK-of-&^um^ee&ifc it appears, that.all this land is iept m reserve dor the mxrpbses of the rauway/'-the^- traffic; of-J-which. was expected-to necessitate the n .occupation ot to© whole of it (laughter); The 1 Supenhtenffent, however, -had ■. suggested .^at^a^s^.may^hahad near the wha^ and he (Mr. Holmes) certainly thought the situation a suitable; one. k.-,j Af; . ? , Mr. Jobot MTonam) broached the expense ot U Mr Holmes in reply said^hat they could^gefc plenty of fuel from Seaward Bush,, .apd when that source Mled, they proftably get coal cheaper thanthey co\ilcLcarry;Wjood.v Ho; thought they should look forward to the exporting oi oatmeal^rid malt. He would ;Cer^inly not hke the mill placed out of the town. " His experience in other Colonies vwas,that> steam power witmn town could compete on favorable terms witu water power out of the town; A. Mr. Beaven agreed with, the. remarks made by Mr. Hohnes. : ' :- <-: -- ; _. Mr. Grii&ES proposed- the ground beyond the Railway- Station. .- - i j t t Mr. Holmes— That was what I suggested, , but it is required for railway purposes. Mr. Gilles— • Yes, when we are all m our graves! •"•■• ' ■ '■■ s - • :..-.:. , . , After some further conversation, it was agreett that the committee be instructed to secure a site near the ietty, and fronting the bay. Mr Holmes.— lf there is nothing else before the meeting, the next best thing to do is to open the share list, and put down our names for a good sum each. _ „, , Mr. OSBORKE.— Hnpt too late, I would suggest that the value of the shares be reduced. It would benefit the small farmers much if the shares were one-half, i.e., £5. „ , Mi-. Beaten 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, .; T ; , A subscription sheet was then handed round, after which the meeting broke up.