FARMERS AND FREEZING WORKS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3199, 27 May 1909, Page 6

FARMERS AND FREEZING WORKS.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE NEW COMPANY.

INTERVIEW WITH AN ORGANISER.

"ENTHUSIASM EVERYWHERE."

"I really believe the whole nominal capital of £IOO,OOO will be subscribed without the slightest trouble," stated Mr M. J. Corrigan, one of the gentlemen assisting in the promotion of the Co-operative Freezing Company, to a Wairarapa Age reporter at Eketahuna yesterday. Mr Corrigan, it will be remembered by those who have followed the movement from its inception, attended the first conference ai Masterton by request, and supplied very valuable information as tu the best methods of flotation,'founded on his experience in forming the Nelson Co-operative Freezing Company, which boasts the most up-to-date works in New Zealand. "It is a somewhat bold assertion to make," continued Mr Corrigan, "but, really, the enthusiasm of farmers over the matter is far m excess of what I had anticipated from remarks dropped at >t*he conference of delegates at Masterton. Just look at this list of subscribers to the memorandum and articles of Association," — and he handed the pressman the following list of farmers, each of whom has agreed tu take up the number of shares enumerated by his name, the shares being of the value of £5 each:— W. R. Godfrey, Tane 100

CaptainX B. White. Ngaturi 4 0 J. C. Cooper, farmer, Tane 40

J as. P. Lomax, Harnua • 40 Thos. Quirk, farmer 40 Thos. P. Girdwood, Mangahao 40 James G. Brechin, Scarborough 40 Mark Caselberg, Tane 40 J. P. .Lowes, Rongomai 50 Pitcaithly Bros., Tawataia 50 T. H. Uroves, Tawataia 40

11. W. Bridge Tawataia 40 William Halliday, Makairo 50 William Hall, Kohinui 40 H. S. Morrison, Ngaturi 40 A.J). Eghnton, Ngaturi 40 Hodgins Bros., Tane 50 G. J. Barron, Hukanui 40

F. B. Lowes, Rongomai 40 J. M. Davie, Rongomai 40

W. Pickett, Pongaroa

E. J. Hughes, Pahiatua 40 Percy Bros., Alfredton 40 Tatton Fraser, Tane 50 Walter Hunt, Tawataia 40 William Nagel, Tawataia 40 H. J. Dagg, Ihuraua 50 C. Oliver, Wairere 50

Rutherford Bros., Wairere 40 R. Judd, Masterton 50 R. G. Broughton, Pahiatua .40 Harry Cornelius, Pahiatua 40 Thos. Fouhy, Pahiatua 40 J. Clulow, Hinemoa 40 Thos. Egan, Makomako 40

"Now that list," said Mr Corrigan, represents in the aggregate £B,OOO of the minimum subscription. You will see that it covers only a limited district, which means that Wairarap.a the West Coast, Manaw<itu, and the great district surrounding Pongaroa, where enthusiasm is figuratively at white heat, are all yet untouched. "We have had requests from all parts of the extensive district in which the company proposes to operate for visits from the promoters. It might come as a surprise to farmers elsewhere to learn that authorita-

tive settlers have written to state that £20,000 can easily be picked up in and around Weber alone. Then along the West Coast again we ani.eipate measure of success At the meeting at Martiuborough on Tuesday next we shall see h~.w the South Wairarapa people feel towards the movement, which had s birth in that locality." Mr Corrigan stated that even in the district covered many settlers were not at home on being visited, while £20,000 worth of shares have been promised for which the signatures have not yet been obtained, but which can be as soon as the settlers are visited. This means that the company can be registered almost immediately, Mr J. C. Cooper, interviewed, stated that a most imporant letter had just been received by him, and which he showed the reporter. It was an offer from the New Zealand agent of orfe of the leading meat freezing companies of the world to purchase every carcase the co-operative company handled, at the highest price given in the North Island, if a certain system of grading, in use by another North Island Company, were adopted. "Most certainly we should adoot this system in any case," said Mr Cooper. A summary of the present position of the Company now is that the whole of, the minimum subscription has been promised, and a most satisfactory offer has been received for the whole of the exportable meat handled by the works. Mr Cooper said that he is leaving no stone unturned to get reliable information of every nature as to the suitability of various places for the situation of the works. The fullest data would be placed before the directorate at an early meeting.