WELLINGTON MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

Evening Post, Volume XLVIII, Issue 50, 28 August 1894, Page 3

WELLINGTON MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

♦ The fifth annual meetirg of the above company was held in the Chamber of Commerce room this afternoon. There were 17 shareholders present, and Mr. \V. Booth, Chairman of Directors, presided. In moving the adoption of the annnal report and balance-sheet, a precis of which has already been published, the Chairman said he thought the shareholders as well as the directors were to be congratulated on tho result of the year's working, especially when contrasted with the misf ortuncß reported at the last annual meeting. The success had in a very emphatic way justified the direotorß action in making the extensions which they had made more than two years ago. The machinery which bad then been imported, the introduction of which was largely owing to the foresight of of Mr. Buchanan, had given every satisfaction. They had been able daring the last year, with their large plant, to take advantage of the large demands which had come (o them from England for frozen meat, which they would not have been able to do had they not had the machinery. They had also boon able to deal with other products, such as butter, fish, game, and milk, and were in a position to deal during the coming season, and without interfering with their ordinary busineHS, with 200,000 cases of butter. It was found not only an advantage to have these subsidiary sources of revenue, but they were able to actually do the work at a lower price than an establishment erected for that purpose alone. They had also been able to use the Ngahauranga plant in connection with the butchering business, which had proved, he believed, a profit to the trade as woll as to the company. A large building which had formerly been lying idle had lately been utilised for starting a new industry in connection with the treatment of tallow, an industry which, it was hoped, would during the coming year be of advantage and profit. Regarding the small loss from, the recent firo, they would be able, in re-ereotinsr the premises, to make such modifications which would also be improvements, as would compensate for that lobs. As to the future, the largo increases of stock in the North Island naturally meant an increased business to tho company. Tho competition threatened from the Australian side he believed New Zoaland was quite safe from, for so long as first-class mutton was sent it would always command the best prices in the London market. All they had to do was to take great care that they only shipped a first-class article. Mr. Joseph Nathan seconded tho motion, which was carried. Messrs. "VV. Booth and W. C. Buchanan, M.H.K., wero re-elected directors, and Messrs. D. T. Stuart and C. P. Powles were re-appointed auditors, at the usual remuneration. Mr. George Allen again complained of the annoyance caused to Thorndon x-esidents by the smoke from the company's establishment, and hoped that something would be done to remedy it. The Chairman said they had already spent money on an ineffectual sohemo, and had now adopted another, and hoped to secure such a modification of the nuisance as would allow it to pass. Careless stoking, ho believed, was mainly responsible for the nuisance. Mr. J. Nathan proposed, and Mr. J. B. Russell seconded, that the usual honorarium of J3250 be voted to the direotors for their services during the past year. This was carried, as also was a vote of thanks to the company's staff, moved by the Chairman in a felicitous speech, and responded to by Mr. D. N. Sladden. The usual vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. - Mr. W. Booth was subsequently re-elected Chairman of Directors.