THE NEW ZEALAND FROZEN MEAT COMPANY'S MANURES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2580, 24 January 1889, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND FROZEN MEAT COMPANY'S MANURES.

• In response to the invitation from Mr Symons, manager of the Manure Department of the above Company, fully fifty settlers assembled in Mr Dclaney's large dining-room, after the cattle sale at Ohaupo on Tuesday, to learn what rebate the Company proposed to allow for the low grade (inality uf manures supplied by them. Mr John Fisher was called to the chair, and briefly referred to the object of the meeting. He said he would not detain them, but would ask Mr Symons to make his proposals. Mr Symons said ho had gone fully into the matter with the settlers at the meeting last week. Since ihen he had been authorised by his dirccters to say that the Company were prepared to recompense all those who have been unfortunate enough to purchase the manures complained of since July Ist, 1888. To those who had obtained an analysis, the company would pay on that basis, hut, a good many no doubt who had used the manures were not in a position to prove its value, and to meet these cases it was proposed to strike an average. After careful consideration the a'.crage value of the 25 per cent, superphosphate was fixed at K-l per ton. Jvtioiating their price for live ton lots at .to 5% which might be a little too high or a little ton low in some eases, this would make a dill'ercnce to be refunded of 25s per ton on the 25 per cent, superphosphate, and by the same process it would make 35s per ton as the rebate on tile 32 per cent, phosphates. Mr Symons said that he trusted this otter of the Company would bs fairly considered, and in regard to future business such steps would bo taken as would ensure the quality of their manures. Mr Watson asked what do farmers buy manures for, and who is going to pay for the loss in their crops? Mr Symons replied that the Company did not got credit for all the value in their manures, and the quality of the land and the seasons had something to do with poor crops. The Chairman pointed out that they had a definite proposal before them, and it was for them to say whether it was satisfactory or not. Mr Samuel Steele said it was not satisfactory. He thought it would include all manures, but it seems it applies to the superphosphates only. He quite expected aiiiio allowance would be made on the corn and other manures, from the use of which great disappointment had resulted. There should be no distinction made, as the manures were all taken from the Bame bulk.

Mr Symons explained that in very few cases the same bulk was used in connection with their different kinds of manures. Mr Thomas Hunt pointed out that they had paid freight, cartage and drilling on a l it of useless waste, and .simply to make a reduction in value was not sufficient. These points the Company appear to have overlooked, and ho would therefore move, " that the offer of the Company is not satistory."

) Ttiis was seconded hy Mr John Scott. Mr Barugh said he thought they ought t< say something about the corn manure, lit was very much dissatisfied with the results from the manure purchased last autumn foi mustard, the crop was nothing scarcely He estimated that £400 would not cover hi.losses from the failure if the manures. The Chairman said that he was not satis lied with the oifcr, and he considered Mi Pond had even now placed too high a vfilui upon the manures. As to the corn anc other manures, ho considered those whc 1 had used them had a distinct claim npoi: ; the Company. He would ask them to postpone their remarks upon the corn and othei immures, and confine their attention to the phosphates. Mr Symons no doubt would represent this matter to the directors, with the view of dealing with them fairly. Mr McNieol said before the question was put, he thought those interested should give some expression as to what rebate they thought they should claim. Mr Watson stated that in July he had two tons dissolved bones and two tons Coral Queen guano, anil that he was thoroughly well satisfied with the results they wore giving, but as to the superphosphate he had never ustd any and therefore could not say anything about them. Mr Symons, iu referring to the remarks made by Mr Hunt, who stated that lie considered the superphosphate was worth only about half the price, said that this estimate was certainly out of the question, and in the matter of freight the Company had considered that in estimating the rebate offered, and in the matter of special manures, he felt quite sure any case represented to them would bo dealt with in a liberal manner. This would also apply to the question put by Mr Pickering, as to whother any claim would be entertained prior to July Ist, as he had used corn manure last year, and there were certainly no visible results. Mr 11, Fisher pointed out that by the Company's guarantee they could claim -Is for each amount of per centage short. In his case the offer would be a long way below what he was entitled to. Mr Symons replied that in individual cases where the loss exceeded the offer, they would be considered separately, but the offer ho had made was meant to apply generally. Mr Hunt's proposal, that the offer was not satisfactory, was carried,

Mr Hunt then proposed that the meeting appoint two arbitrators to decide what rebate should bo allowed. The difficulties surrounding Ibis course were pretty generally realised, and, as Mr H. Buttle pointed out, one of the first stops necessary would be the providing a fund to pay the travelling expenses of their man. Mr Hymens also said that he could n it recommend the adoption of this course, and although as their Chairman had pointed out, they had virtually re fused by the passing of the first resolution, the offer of the Company, still they would not go back from that offer. MrMeXicol said that l)e was very muoh , pleased at c|io position Mr Symons had taken up, for really by passing that resolution tlicy had relieved the Company from their offer. After some genetal discussion Mr MeNicol proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr Hunt and carried unanimously, "that this meeting will acpept a rebate on tho analyses, as appearing in The Yvaikato Times, calculated upon tho Company's guarantee of Is for each unit of soluble phosphate deficient." The usual vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman and the meeting dispersed.