AKAROA COUNTY FARMERS' ASSOCIATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIII, Issue 1669, 12 July 1892, Page 2

AKAROA COUNTY FARMERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of, this Association was held on Saturday. Present—Messrs Eli Scott, Vico-President, in the chair, Whitfield, Jas. Piper, Kingston, Richfield, Joyce, Jacobson, S. Hunt. MINUTES. The minutes of the prior meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. The President wrote as follows :— "I regret that lam unable to be present at to-day'e meeting, and trust that you will oxcueo my absence. I append a * brief summary of the business done since meeting and thut to come before the meeting to-day. Circular from Agricultural Department—lforwarded the circulartogether with the cmßwera to various questions as directed, to the Department, together with a report of the meeting. I have not yet got in the full returns from all of those written to in reference to the number of cows, output of cheese etc, but as soon as I receive them I will tabulate them and forward them. German Bay, Duvauohello'fi and Leßon's are yet to come in. Poißoned f wheat—l have received a letter from the County Council, which I forward, offering our Association poisoned wheat at cost price ; also one from Mr Mohovich on the same subject. .It will, I think, be advisable for you to arrange the matter tbis meeting, as the date fixed is so near, and whatever decision you come to a letter should be written to the Council thanking them for their offer. Overdue acconnt— An account is forwarded with tbis from Messrs Berry &Co for salt. This is long overdue and should bave been settled. I asked the secretary to write for statement of tbe account in fall from the above firm so that wo could find out the whole amount supplied, and tbe names of those to whom tbey shipped, af there was a discrepancy between their acoouot and the amount that the secretary Bhowed outstanding. To assist in clearing the matter up I may say that the first ton procured I paid for and hold the receipt, so there is only tbe remainder to account for. Please see to this. Butter factories—l received a letter from the Chairman of Direotors of Leßon's Dairy Factory asking for plans, etoi, of factory. I forwarded what I had. Unfortunately the Department sent down just after our last meeting asking me to return the plans to Wellington for the purpose of having them lithographed, when they would be returned. I telegraphed asking for planß and estimates of butter factories, hut so far have had no reply. Akaroa—You will have noticed in the Mail that two gentlemen propose to erect a butter factory in Akaroa themselves, guaranteeing tbe farmers a fixed prioe per gallon for the milk, with cash payments at short intervals. I have arranged in conjunction with the Mayor to call a publio meeting as soon as the scheme is in practical form. I may say that all the promoters require is a guarantee of a certain number of cows. I need soarcely ask (he members to do what they can to assist both Leßons and Akaroa to get over the initial difficulties of starting these ventures,—Yours, etc., "John Bruce." Enclosures were frcm A. Mahovich, offering poisoned grain at 22s 6d per bushel, and from Council offering poißoned wheat at same price. From Leßon's Bay as follows :— "We are about to commence a dairy faotory here without delay. lam directed by the Directors of tbe Company to aßk you if you will kindly lend ub Mr Sawers' plans, etc ; also to inquire re a resolution passed at the Farmers Association to effect tbat the Association would take £50 worth of shares in the first factory started on the Peninsula—J. B. Barker, Chairman of Directors." A letter from Mr Sawers, received since President's report was written, was read. It waß as follows :— •' Department of Agriculture, *' Wellington, _th July 1892. •' Sir, —Your wire of to-day's date to hand. I am Borry I cannot by this post send you plans, specifications and estimate of butter factory as you but will do bo as soon as the work on hand wili permit. I only returned from South on Saturday afternoon, having had to go on to Mataura It-land concerning the erection of a factory there, after the annual meeting of Dairy Association waa over. I have several plans on hand at present, bnt will start yours in a day or so if that will suffice. In fact lam only too glad to Bee such a demand for faotory plans, etc., for it does not occur to ire that the dairy prodcce trade of th. country will ever attain the desired commercial value until we pro* vide an article which will be called for at high prices in foreign makete, (i c.), until the factory system becomes more universal. Wrile me by return if I shall go on with the plans, or will they be too late in being supplied.—Yours, etc., ' "John Sawers, " Dairy Instructor "

It was resolved the Secretary write, asking the plans should be forwarded as soon bb possible, It was resolved that the Chairman of the Leßon's Directors be written to, enclosing actual resolution passed relative to establishment of factory, and asking for full information on the subject. With regard to the Akaroa Factory a long discussion took place, it being the general opinion that the best method to secure success would be to have separ.tors on each farm, and only send cream to Akaroa factory. There was no doubt of support if a sufficiently remunerative price were offered to the farmers. It was eventually unanimously resolved tbat members be specially requested to attend the publio ineetine: on the subject about to be called by His Worship the Mayor and the President. The Chairman eaid be was sorry farmers had not pluck enough to erect a faotory of their own, instead of trusting to the efforts of others. He was sure the erection of a dairy factory in any locality would increase the value of property there. It was resolved that the County Council be thanked for procuring the poisoned wheat, which hid been proved by experi-. ment to be exceptionally strong, and thut farmers procure it direct from Mr Bristow. Anyone living at a distance could write to the Secretary, Mr Joyce, who would, get it for them from the Council. ' After the transaction of some other routine business, the passing of a couple of accounts, and a vote of thanks to* tlie j Chairman, the meeting adjourned to that , day mouth, at usual place and hour.