PUBLIC MEETING.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1425, 9 July 1883, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A. public! meeting convened by Mr Buchanan, the President of the Pastoral Society, was held in the Theatre Royal, Masterton, on Saturday afternoon, and attended by about sixty settlers.

At the hour appointed the Theatre was neither open nor prepared for the meeting, and it was not till half an hour later that the proceedings were commenced. Mr Buchanan was then voted to the chair.

The Chairman prefaced his remarks by regretting the unfavorable weather, which no doubt prevented many settlers from being present. He apologised for the absence of Mr G. Beetham, M.H.U., who was not well enough that morning to leave Wellington, and also for Mr Booth, another director, who intended to be present. They would have been glad to have met settlers not only in Carterton and Masterton but in other parts of the district, but they could quite understand that during tho session Mr Beetham and himself had great difficulty to get away from Wellington. He then gave an interesting account of the formation and progress of the Wellington Meat Export Company, but as this portion of his address was substantially the same as that delivered at Carterton, and reported in our issue of Monday last, it is unnecessary for us to give it a second time to our readers. The address occupied nearly an hour in its delivery, and was, at its close, acknowledged with loud applause. Mr Douald Donald thought that the proposed slaughtering premises at Ngahauranga would be less advantageous to shippers than a similar establishment in the Wairarapa. The chairman replied that it did not follow that because slaughtering works were established at Ngahauranga that the directors did not recognise the advantages of a slaughtering place in the Wairarapa. As a commencement the slaughtering yards at Ngahauranga were an absolute necessity for the accommodation of stock from Wanganui. The company had acquired suitable leasehold premises, but did not propose spending any large sum of money on them until they were in a position to decide whether it would bo better to have the principal slaughtering place at Ngahauranga or in the Wairarapa. This question was surrounded with difficulties. The treatment of skins, offal, and fat was an important factor in their business, as it helped to lighten their working expenses, and this could be more efficiently provided for at Ngahauranga. Scattering slaughtering places about meant a loss in working expenses, such as labor, for example, which could be economised in one central slaughter yard. He admitted that in sending live stock to Ngahauranga two or three per cent-of it might be damaged by the journey. Still, against this might be placed the advantage of making the best market of offal and inferior meat, also in obtaining the necessary labor from time to time as they required it, One difficulty with regard to a slaughtering place in the Wairarapa was fixing a site which would be generally accepted. The Lower Valley would not care to drive stock to Carterton, and would object still more to send it to Masterton, while settlers at this end would not be willing to send their stock to Featherston Before the directors could fix a definite centre in the Wairarapa, settlers would have to get over the differences of opinion which existed on thia point. He would be glad to hear the opinion of the meeting on it, with a view when it came to a decision to be prepared to advocate such a course as would be for the best interests of the district.

Mr H. H. Beetham asked if it would be admissible for any settler to butcher in a, proper manner say five hundred sheep on his own premises and send thera down to Wellington. The Chairman expressed hi; own opinion that there could be no reasonable objection to such a proposal. The Company could receive such sheep and charge for freezing only. Mr Herbert thought that if settlers killed their own sheep the public butcher would not find regular employment.

The Chairman believed that in the opinien of the Directors of the Company the freezing works were established to enable any settler to make use of them by employing the Company as his agent. Their object was to open up to settlers the markets of the world so that they could send their meat as readily as they could forward their wool, but it remained with settlers themselves to place the Company in a position to do all this for them. Without settlers found capital for the Company, they would lose the control of it (applause). The Directors had been blamed for not going into the market and purchasing sheep, and also for not borrowing money. If their £12.000 had been vested in land, there might be some reason for such strictures. Their money was, however, invested in property of a special character, which was not readily marketable, and while lenders could obtain other outlets for their money, they would not touch a security liketheirs. The Canterbury Company agreed to raise their capital from £20,000 to £50,000. The first ten thousand new shares weie absorbed by the original shareholders, the next ten thousand was placed in the market at a premium, and taken up within a few days, notwithstanding the penalty, and practically no shares, were now to be had in the market. Two shillings per sheep premium had also been paid for the privilege of shipping by the Company's vessel. In the opinion of the Directors, the Wellington Company -was not justified in borrowing until more shares were floated.

Mr Berry said it had been ascertained that all the steep in South America, Canada, and Australia would, if placed in the London market, only depreciate mutton there to the extent of one farthing per pound.—(Applause).

Mr R, S. Hawkins said he had been. asked to. propose a resolution, but would; rathepee; anlolder. settlfir than himself nuft&it. That which had been; said of the insufficiency of the

capital of the Company must be apparent to all of them, whatever differences of opinion might exist on other points. It was of paramount importance that settlers should support the Company. He could not imagine that there was any doubt in the minds of settlers as to the desirability of promoting the interests of the Company, whiclnvero identical withtheirown, He pointed out that the Waivarapa was. behind the neighboring district of Hawkes Bay. Tiie tardiness to improve properties here had no doubt arisen in measure from the want of a permanent market. During his short experiences in this district, he had observed this disheartened action on the part of settlers, and anything they could do to give them fresh courage should have their cordial support. The meat export must undoubtedly increase the wealth of every settler, and he hoped a distinct effort should be made before they separated to place more shares. He did not know whether it was possible to appoint a canvassing committee. A friend on his left (Mr Mackay) might help them at Tinui. This was a large district, cut off from a market by the impassable gulf of a bad road, but he hoped the Tinui people would soon have a good one, and be able to contribute stock to the Company. All improvements would have to go hand in hand together'before the Company became a flourishing one. The fact of a suro market for their produce should draw out the energies of settlers .o make good roads, and give an impetus to settlement, He moved, amid applause,

That this meeting pledges itself to use its best endeavours to [jet the balance of Slmros taken up and to support tho Wellington Moat Export Company by contributing stock and otherwise. »

Mr Stuckey in seconding tho motion pointed out that the enterprise would benefit all, rich and poor, storekeepers and labourers as well as stockowners, as the latter would through it have more money to spend. He then read an extract from a letter signed " Settler," and published in the Waiiurapa Daily of July 4. Ho regretted that the writer did not sign his name to it, possibly he did not do so because he was ashamed of the statements contained in it. In answer to them he expressed an opinion that a dividend would be declared for the first year, though as a shipper he would rather not have seen one. He also asserted that there was surplus stock in this district. Since Christmas Gear had put through 60,000 sheep, and the bulk of them came from the Wairarapa. They could find out at the Masterton railway station where the bulk of them came from. He agreed with Mr Donald that there should be slaughter yards in the Wairarapa, but they could hardly expect the directors in the present state of their finances to establish them They must get money for them in the first instance. With regard to Tenui, settlers there were now stuck in a hole by scab, and he thought they ought all put their shoulders to the wheel to get rid of the scab. (Applause), Mr Mackay supported the resolution. He believed that the Company would have to purchase stock as settlers would not be able to guarantee sufficient for regular shipments. In the Whareama scab prevented them from givin» guarantees, as with neighboring flocks infected, owners were not in a position to give promises. Scab had been a curse to the district for years, and it was high time steps were taken to stamp it out. He agreed with Mr Stuckey that the question of slaughter yards might be left over for a time. He supported the proposal to appoint canvassing committees, and would be happy to take his share of the work. The Chairman, before putting the resolution, referred to Mr Stuckey's remarks re the Gear Company's sheep. He stated that the Wellington Provincial district, with contributions from the West Coast and Napier could spare 100,000 sheep per annum. He need not point out that the number might be increased by fifty or seventy per cent by selling their sheep at two and four-tooth instead of keeping them till they were full mouthed. They all know the state of the market with respect to cattle. Butchers, before purchasing them, stipulated for the supply of a number of sheep. With a good market their supply of cattle would prove a very large one. With respect to dairy produce the drought in Australia gave them last yeara ready market and good prices, but in the coming season those conditions might be reversed, and butter go down to fivepence a pound, and cheese to fourpence. Though at present meat was the principal factor in the Company, he believed that ultimately dairy produce would take tho lead. When the bush lands of the North Island were settled with small farmers they would supply the company with the only produce, that of dairies, which men in such a position, could profitably raise.

Ilio resolution of Mr R. S. Hawkins' was then put and carried unanimously. The chairman hoped that the names of settlers to act on committees would then be proposed.

Mr Cockburn Hood suggested that a list of existing shareholders should be published, so that canvassers mightknow the names of non-shareholders, He wished to know, also, whether there was any doubt of obtaining the proportion of general cargo for meat vessels which they would require. The chairman replied that the New Zealand Shipping Company had asked the directors if they were willing to influence other cargo to their ships, and the latter assured it that, recognising its public spirit and enterprise, it Would influence cargo in the direction of its ships as much as possible.

Mr Herbert desired to know tho smallest number of sheep which tho company would receive from a settler. The chairman said he was scarcely able to answer this question The directors were anxious to meet the wishes of all classes. The difficulty arose in the disposal of the sheep in London,' where the whole of a cargo was treated as one lot. He thought settlers with small lots of sheep would have to act like settlers with small lots of wool, who found that it paid best to dispose of them in the local market. - Mr R. S. Hawkins pointed out that

one gentleman had been precluded from sending sheep Home by the limit (ixed by the directors as to the weight of sheep. Were they to assume that the limit of 701b per sheep was to be a permanent one? In London certain classes were favorable to smill Welch mutton, which their merino mutton very much resembled. He did not see why merinos should be excluded. The Chairman stated that the directors had agreed to a limit of 551b; in the South, for the same class of sheep, 541b had been fixed. The directors had no objection to merinos, but their advices, from London were unfavorable to them.

Mr John Morrison pointed out that sometimes small sheep yielded a better quality of meat than large ones. \, The Chairman replied that the directors could not well define a limit in general terms, It did not follow because a standard was given that the Company should reject good sheep three or four pounds under' weight. The high position of New Zealand meat in the London market was due to its good quality. While the Australian meat went begging in the market at a shilling a side, the New Zealand meat found a ready sale. The future success of the trade, depended upon maintaining the reputation, they enjoyed. He did not desire to discourage the owners of merino sheep, but must, as a matter of fact, quote from a London letter, which said that merinos were not appreciated there, and the fewer sent the better, as they fetched from f d to Id per lb less than crossbreds. It was hard to understand why they should be so, but so it was, It might be owing to the dark appearance of the meat.

Mr Hawkins said lie was just trying to persuade Mr Morrison to twenty shares, but he feared thefdprman's remarks on merinos had sp. 'ed his efforts (a laugh). Mr Mackay said the merino meat was not black if the sheep were not driven before being slaughtered. The Chairman offered to bring the matter up before the directors at their next meeting. Mr W. H. Beetliam said that in London he noticed that the smallest mutton fetched the highest price per lb. Ho had seen big legs sell at lid per lb, while in Piccadilly small ones fetched Is 3d. The quality of small sheep, if they were lirst class, Avas better than that of larger meat. If merinos were thoroughly fat, tho smaller they were the better.

The Chairman remarked that in asking for cargo for the Lady Jocelyn the directors explained .as clearly as possible what their requirements were. Still they got a lot of unsuitable sheep, some being from ten to fifteen pounds below the limit. If they waived the rule as to quality this experience would indicate what kind of sheep they would get.

Mr W. H, Beetliam: You may havo si large ugly old ram stag weighing ninety pounds, which is no good for mutton. (A laugh).

It was resolved that Messrs Mackay, Maunsell, Handyside, and Williams bo appointed a committee for the Whareama district, aad Messrs W. H. Beetliam, Meredith, D. Donald, H. Holmes, Herbert, Chalmers, Yallance, Cockburn, and Hood for the Masterton district, with power to add to their number.

Mr Herbert thought that Mr Cross, of Porangahau might be induced to support the company.

SCAB. The Chairman said there was another question which they might discuss, viz., scab. He did not think that any satisfactory results had been obtained from the meeting held at Carterton two years ago. He had thought it l&t. duty to urge upon the Go 'eminent <s% necessity of taking strenuous steps to ■ eradicate scab, but he did not feel that it was part of his duty to determino what these steps should be. He considered that the onus of dealing with the question tested on the Government, and that it was for them to find the remedy. The result of the steps taken by the Government was unsatisfactory, On various occasions subsequent to the Carterton meeting Mr Beetham and himself had represented to the Government that very little improvement was observable. He had ascertained from the Gazette returns the number of infected flocks for seventeen quarterly returns, ranging from June, 1878, to June, 1883. The numbers were as follows:—(1) 45,000, (2) 23,250, (3) 15,000, (4) 23,900, (5) 78,500, (6) 76,606, (7) 111,800, (8) 96,800, (9) 101,350, (10) 124,127, (11) 102,000, (12) 22,750, (13) 24,474, (14) 16,640, (15) 17,230, (16)25,130,(17, June, 1883)51,810. He thought these figures were ample evidence that the existing state of affairs was anything but satisfactory, knowing what had been dono in other colonies, and in other districts of Now Zealand. He would say again thai** this state of things was one that could 7 no longer be put up with. It would be in vain for settlers to open up country and to find an outlet for produce if their stock was liable to be locked up at any moment by scab. He did not wish to be an alarmist, but he would be glad for the meeting to strengthen his hands in urging upon the Government to recognise the state of tho district with respect to scab by passing a resolution. A couple of new appointments had recently been made to the local staff, and the Government had decided to take further steps, but he was not informed as to the nature of them. He mentioned this to show that though the department was not free from blame it had recognised the necessity of taking action. ■■ He would use his utmost endeavors to give effect to any resolution which the meeting might pass. Mr Hawkins enquired if the district did not pay £B,OOO a year for sheep tax.

Tho chairman replied that the amount \w not so much, but it was ample to defray cost of inspection in the most liberal manner. He believed the sum was £1,500.

Mr Hawkins: Then we are paying the Government to render a service which >e do not obtain. \ Wb are paying a special tax for'a BerVice in

which thoy cgregiously fail. He would niovo,— That Ihis mooting calls upon the Government to take efficient and inuuediato steps to eradicate the scab in the Wairurupa district, Mr Mackay said that when on n former occasion settlers waited on the Premier re Scab, Sir John Hall informed them that the sheep tax was a sort of insurance against scab. Tliey were paying tho insurance, but in spile of this scab was fp!v«.i'ng. He believed the fault lay in the iii o 'building in Wellington, and that the Act should bo better worked locally. It was administered in town by a man whose knowledge of sheep was limited to the v leg of mutton on his dining table, Mr AV. 11, Beetham believed that if a clause were added to the Scab Act so that every sheepowner had a dip in proportion to the size of his Hock, scab would soon bo eradicated. Tn numberless cases where it had broken out he had noticed that the Swner had no dip; or if ho had a dip, he had no sulphur; or if sulphur, no lime; or if lime, no fuel. If people were always prepared with proper material and proper dips, seal) would readily be extinguished. He suggested that their representatives should endeavor to add a clause of such a nature to tho Act. The Chairman said lie would he glad to sec a committee appointed to consider amendments to the Sheep Act. Mr E. Meredith suggested as another clause that owners should be compelled to dip whether they had scab or not. A man got six months to clean his sheep, and another three months before he was lined. Say that owner A cleans his sheep off the shears, and that his neighbor B shears later on. A might «gtase a sheep through the fence, which infect B's flock. In his opinion universal dipping at fixed periods should be compulsory, The Crown lauds were another matter which required looking into. With respect to statistics, he failed to see how scab was spreading, unless Mr Mackay knew of cases outside the returns. Mr Stuckey said that in 1879 there were 15,000 infected sheep; there were now four times as many, Mr It. Meredith ; What is the increase of sheep in the district 1 The Chairman: The increase is anything but satisfactory, for the last twelve months it only amounts to 10,000, They ought not to discuss numbers, but take the broad fact that the whole of the Australian colonies were free from scab, and that in many instances districts had been cleared under circumstances equally unfavorable with their own. They ought to get rid of scab, and they must get rid of it.

Mr It. Meredith pointed out tliat in March, 1881, there wore a larger number of infected sheep than at present. He thought notice should have been given to settlers that the question of scab would bo raised, so that tliey should not have been taken by surprise. Tlifi people in the infected district ■ knew best how to deal with it (No! No!!). He woidd also suggest that inspectors should be appointed who had fewer connections with the district. Mr Telford said that scab came from the belt of Government bush at Akitio. It had been there for years and was likely to remain there. A few infected flocks were easily dealt with in comparison with this waste land. They must be careful not to throw blame on inspectors, A commission of inquiry might be held and many things might be said before it, which could not be well said at the present meeting. In the interim he would strongly protest agairst any reflections on the officers now in the employ of the Government. Mr R. Mertdith said lie bad not intended to reflect on the manner in , the local officers discharged their •' dudes. The Chairman thought it was time that settlers made their voices heard on this question, and hoped that the infected district would be represented on the committee, Still, he thought that when a doctor fell sick he usually called in a physician, instead of doctoring himself, and he thought owners of infected Hocks would do well to seek outside assistance, Mr Hawkins 1 resolution was then put and carried. The meeting at this stage began breaking up, and as it separated a resolution waspassed appointing Messrs Hawkins, Maunsell, Mackay, Meredith, Handyside, R Moore, and Donald a sub-committee.