WAIROA MEAT COMPANY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 236, 18 September 1934, Page 3

WAIROA MEAT COMPANY

Meeting of Shareholders

OPERATION BY SWIFTS

From Our Own Correspondent. WAIROA, September 17.

The twentieth annual general meeting of shareholders of the Wairoa Farmers’ Co-operative Meat Co., Ltd., was held on Friday last, Mr J. 8. Jessep presiding over an attendance of 62. After the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman explained in detail the agreement between Swift New Zealand Co. Ltd. and the Wairoa company. It was hoped to have the works completed in time to hand over to Swifts to commence killing operations about the middle of November next. Swifts were spending a great deal extra apart from what the Wairoa company had contracted to do. The killing board was to be altered to the chain-killing system and new plant was also being installed for the hog-killing. Facilities for chilled beef were also being carried out, and in this connection Mr Jessep said that difficulties were forthcoming in connection with the transport and shipping, but the company purchasing the works was in earnest and was doing -all it could to overcome these difficulties.

The question of railway facilities was also discussed. It was mentioned that the board of directors took the view that as this district, with the rest of New Zealand, was paying its full snare of taxation to cover cost of railway construction and interest, it was unreasonable 'that the company should pay rental for meat boxes in addition to the full railway freights. Several members took the opportunity of expressing their appreciation of the work which the board of directors had done throughout the year in placing the works in the condition they were in to-day.

The meeting passed a vote of appreciation for its chairman, who had shouldered a tremendous amount of work throughout the negotiati .ns. After the business of the meting had concluded the chairman introduced Mr O. R. Kresse, of Swift New Zealand Co. Ltd. Mr Kresse expressed the hope that members would he as happy as Swifts were that his company had come into Wairoa. He mentioned that Swifts hoped' to maintain the reputation in New Zealand that they had always built up elsewhere in dealing with livestock. Mr Kresse dealt at length with different types of stock and answered many questions of interest to the farmers.

Mr Kresse assured the members that Swifts would buy whatever was produced, and they would always pay full market value. They were pleased to be in Wairoa and were satisfied that it was a good district. Mr Kresse wished them all the luck in the world and hoped Swifts would have a little themselves.

Messrs McCulloch. Butler and Spence were appointed auditors for the ensuing year.

The meeting then closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Kresse and the chair.