MEETING OF SETTLERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4990, 1 April 1895, Page 3

MEETING OF SETTLERS.

PROPOSED NEW INDUSTRY.

, About forty settlers assembled at : the Prince of Wales Hotel on Saturday evening to discuss the advisability of forming a company to lease Messrs Williams and Beefcham's boiling down works. Mr J, B. Keith was voted to the chair, and briofly explained the objects of the meeting All knew there was a large number of old sheep in the district with which nothing could bo done but boiling down. Tho season was advancing and if anything was done it would have to he dono at once. He had no personal knowledge, but Mr Do Lisle informed him that Mr Beetham had expressed his willingness to lease. the works at Waingawaat about £1 per week, plut insurance, which would amount to about another £SO per annum. It was not advisable to go into a large Company, end it was thought that a Company might be started for boiling-down, with about £IOOO capital. Provision might be made for extending the business in the direction of meat preserving, manure manufacturing, or in other directions, or in tho event of tho thing not proving profitable, winding up the Company. He thought the best thing would be to appoint a Committo to draw up Articles of Association, and to fully consider all the necessary details. He had figures which showed that the total cost of fellmongering, etc., would be about 6d a sheep, and the cost of management about Id extra. This was merely an estimate, but he thought it should pay handsomely, Mr Alex. Walker said everybody knew that tho district was full of old sheep which ought to be wiped out. The only thing to do was to boil them down. He had been connected with boiling dowu companies and always fonnd them profitable, Sheep were lower in price than for the last 24 years, and although the price of tallow was down to 23s per cwt it ought to pay. Sheep now fetching in the sale yards Is a head would realise Is to Is 6d for skins alone.

Mr J. C. Herbert pointed out that it would be cull pelts they would have chiefly to deal with. What would these cull pelts be worth ? Mr Walker said be could not say what the actual value was, He thought about Is per skin, on an average. Mr Spackman said the green skins were worth from 9d to Is 3d,

Mr Hessey thought it would bo advisable, if the promoters formed a Committee to prepare estimates of the prices likely to be obtained for skins throughout, the year. He would move in this direction, He took it for granted, that the report would also deal with the boilingdown, etc. Mr Cameron seconded, and the motion was carried. The following committee was appointed :—Messrs J, 13 Keith, De Lisle, Fowler, and B, E, Chamberlain, and it was derided that a report be submitted atanother meeting to be held on Wednesday next, at 4 p.m. Mr T. CD'Arcy thought £IOOO too small a capital. £2OOO would be nearer the mark. The Chairman thought this would be a matter more for discussion at next meeting, after receiving tho Committee's report. The meeting then concluded with the usual vote of thanks to the chair.