PUBLIC COMPANIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 8

PUBLIC COMPANIES.

At the annual meeting of the Union Steamship Company a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent, for the year with a bonus of 1 per cent, trom the insurance fund was declared. The Hon. G. McLean, retiringdirector, was re-elected.

A meeting of Christchurch representatives of the shipping, insurance, and freezing companies, and the Farmers' Co-opera-tive Association decided to ask the Government to co-operate with the shipping and freezing companies in obtaining the erection of a storing shed for frozen meat at London docks, and to guarantee a proportionate part of the sum required by the dock companies should there be any loss in connection with the working of such sheds.

A third meeting of fanners was held November 30 at the Metropolitan Hotel Club-room to consider the question of the formation of a co-operative society for farmers. Mr C. Rhodes presided, and there were present Mr Sam A. Browne (secretary), and the following delegates : Messrs G. J. Garland (Awitu), J. Weimar (Avondale Fruit and Agricultural Association), J. G. Clarke (Pokcno), C. T. Earriball (Waiuku), H. Crispe (Muuku), E. H. Madgelly (Hobsonville), E. Morrison (Pollok), Rhodes (Hunua), Sam A. Browne (Clevedon). It was resolved, "That in the opinion of the delegates present it was desirable that a constitution should be drawn up for the formation of a Farmers' Co-operative Society; also, that the Society be called the Auckland Farmer.-;' Co-operative Society; that it be of unlimited number of shareholders; that shares be limited to five £1 shares for each shareholder to bo paid in live instalments of 2s Gd on application, 2s 6d on allotment! and three quarterly 5s payments, and tha, it he conducted on strictly cash system ; a reasonable percentage to lie paid to shareholders, a small bonus to employees from profits, the remainder to be equally divided among all purchasers, whether members or otherwise."