A SITE QUESTION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9586, 4 September 1909, Page 5

A SITE QUESTION.

THE PROGRESS OF MASTERTON AT STAKE.

THE WELLINGTON FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE MEAT COMPANY.

There was a good attendance of business men and others at the meeting in the Dominion Hall last evening, convened by His Worship the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings) for the purpose ot' discussing and formulating a scheme to endeavour to ensure that Waineawa be selected as the site for the proposed works of the Wellington Farmers' Co-operative Meat Company.

The Mayor explained that he had convened the meeting in resDonse to a numerouslv-signed petition irnm residents of the town, and he presumed that those gentlemen who had been interesting themselves in the matter would submit proposals in regard to what should be done. Although it was his duty to respond to the wishes of the people in a matter of that kind, he would like to make it quite clear that he did not wish to associate himself with any con-: flict that might arise over the question. The proposition was of immense interest, and the establishment of freezing works in the vicinity of Masterton was of great importance not only to the business people of the town, but to the whole community. Masterton was particularly deficient of industries, which were essential to maintain the growing population. The choice of sites lay between the Lower Valley and Masterton, and in regard to the site, although they had no right to dictate to the directors in the matter they would on the other hand, if thuy tendered support in the way of shares be entitled to a hearing to the selection of the site. The district of Masterton was in need of such an industry, for it was in the centre of a pastoral district. Furthermore, there was a great future ahead of this centre, when closer settlement and other progressive movements were in full swing It wats important, therefore to advocate the establishment of not only freezing works but other industries, as well as to forge the town ahead. If Masterton wished to say it was entitled to the works being in it 3 neighbourhood, then the people should be prepared to support their application by subscribing a large sum for the works. Messrs W B. Chennells and W. H. Cruickshank were deserving of the thanks of the community for the keen interest they had shown in the movement to get the worns near Masterton, and they had already procured shares to the Value of about £1,500 on this condition. There was no doubt the directors would erect the works where they got the most support, and if the people here wanted them then they must contribute with practical support. They should be influenced not so much on account of the individual benefit to be derived from dividends, but by the benefit that would be produced on the district generally. Mr W. B. Chennells stated that as one who had signed the petition for the meeting he would like to make a few remarks. In discussion with one of the provisional directors he had been given to understand that if £5,000 worth of shares were subscribed in Masterton, the Company would undertake the erection of the works within five miles of Masterton. As a lesult of this Mr Cruickshank and himself had gone round, and they had been successful inplacing 300 shares. They thought that if they could get within a reasonable distance of the amount required they might go back to some of those who had subscribed and make the £5,000 up by a small increase among them. They had found the small man most ready to subscribe. A remark had been made on the smallness of the shares taken up by some of the leading businesses. He would like to say that in regard to the W.F.C.A., that although Mr M Caselberg did not feel disposed to commit hib company to shares, he had himself taken up ten shares, and each of his sons had taken up five shares. The speaker instanced the wonderful impetus the establishment of the Gear Company's works had given to Petone. He "was not conversant with the prospects of the Company itself, and neither he nor Mr Cruickshank had considered this point at all. All they were concerned in was that as the works had to be erected they wanted them near Masterton, as the expenditure of thousands of pounds in its vicinity would be an excellent thing for the town. The Woollen Company's works had been lost to Masterton twenty years ago, owing to the lack of a little enterprise. The speaker regretted the absence of Mr C. E. Daniell from Masterton, who, he felt sure, would have been of great assistance in the present movement. They were quite prepared to go on with the canvass, but it would be better to make a more extensive move. Mr R. Brown suggested the formation of a committee to carry through the canvass. Mr A. E. Green moved that a committee be formed to thoroughly canvass Masterton and suburbs with a view to raiding £5,000 in shares. , Mr Chennells seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr J. Hunter urged the necessity for immediate action, and Mr Ewington also referred to the importance of united action in the matter. Mr Pauling said it would be a disgrace to Masterton if they lost the works through failure to raise the £5,000 worth of shares. The town would notice the benefit of the works immediately. The works near Ashburton meant something like £6OO a week to that township. ; The Chairman said it was a matthe for the Chamber of Commerce to take up, and they should be specially asked to assist in the movement. It was decided that the Chamber of Commerce be asked to co-operate with the committee. Mr Threadwell asked what the conditions were as to the payment of the shares. Mr Chennells explained that the terms were ten per cent, on application, ten per cent, on allotment, and the balance in calls extending over ten months. There was no liability unless they got the Waingawa site. The committee was formed as follow Messrs W. B. Chennells

(chairman), W. H. Cruickshank, J. C. Ewington, J. Cross, J. Hunter, W. S. Smith, F. P. Welch, A. Donald, A. Chapman, A. E. Green, T. Mackey, J. H. Pauling, J. L. Murray, H. T. Wood J. Morris, jnr., W. H. Cole. Mr R. Brown was appointed secretary. The Committee met subsequently, and it was decided to make a thorough canvass of the town and vicinity, the districts being allotted an follows:—Queen street, Messrs W. B. Chennells and W. H. Cruickshank; Landsowne, Perry and Pine street and Queen street to river, Messrs 0. Hunter, F. P. Welch, J. C. Ewington; North side Worksop road to river and Homebush, Messrs A. Donald, and A. Wise; from Perry street to Cornwall street, Messrs A. Chapman and D. V. Thompson; Culumba road and below Homebush, Messrs T. Mackay and J. Morris; Manaia, South road and Kurupuni, Messrs Smith and J. H. Pauling. The Committee will meet again on Tuesday evening for a report.