WEST COAST MEAT AND PRODUCE EXPORT COMPANY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IV, Issue 633, 25 October 1883, Page 2

WEST COAST MEAT AND PRODUCE EXPORT COMPANY.

The first general meeting of shareholders in the above company was held yesterday at 3 o'clock. Then were about 100 present, including Messrs W. Wilson, J. Patterson, Palmer, Williamson, Howie, McLean, Baker, Nicholson, Barraclougb, Norman, Cowern, Tennent, Taplin, Shaw, Richards, Huston, Homer, W. 1 0. Symes, Fairweather, Christie, Howitt, Barton, J. G. Beamish, Bremer, Hawes, Pearce, Parsons, Wishaw, O'Sullivan, Gibson, Jardine, Clayton, Payne, Smith, Deane, Haywood, Burke, Mahony, O. Symes, Hunter, Honeyfield, Livingston, Nolan, Lupton, Morgan, Ross, Keating, Ball,. Hamerton, Bright, Imrie, Gower, Wood, Perry, Hawken, Orchard, Balmfortb (2), Hurley, G. Bayly, Adams, Bridge, M. Hunter, I. Bayly, G. McLean, Gowland, E. F. Symes, Riddiford, Sheild, Drake. Mr. W. Wilson was voted to tbe chair, and said it was thought necessary that meat tinning should be added to freezing, but of course that was a matter for the shareholders to decide. Several sites for workj3 had been inspected by a committee who were appointed for that purpose, and they had fixed upon a site on this side of the river. It was somewhat- sandy, but there was plenty of grass land upon which to erect the works. It had been stated that the sand might discolor the* meat, but he thought if that were so the difficulty could be got over. At anyi rate, there was no other site so suitable. They could get a lease from the Harbor-Board for 42 years, at a moderate rens. There was plenty of water and a good site for a wharf, and they could at a small cost reclaim the rand if found detrimental to . the company's operations. The company bad met with' a large degree of success. Although he would hay* liked to have seen all the shares taken up, still they bad received more applications than they had expected — in fact, far more than the amount originally fixed upon, which was £6000. Deposits had been paid upon 1618 shares, and there were 99 more which he thought would come in. A discussion arose on the articles of association, several clauses of which in reference to prices and votiftg were taken exception^*), but .they he^L been registered, and nothing could be done to alter them without incurring expense. Ultimately the articled were agreed to. * The election of directors was then proceeded with, Messrs. Tennent and Nolan being apppointed trustees. Tbe poll showed tbe following result : — W. Wilson, 715 votes ; Hamilton, 630 ; Lysaght, 565 ; Livingston, 559 ; Christie, 428; Gibson, 348; Norman, 310; J. McLean, 304. These were duly elected. Others proposed were Messrs. Cowern, Bright, Jardine, G. McLean, Grower, Peterson, Byrne, Hawken, J. Boss, Lupton, and Bremer. A long discassion took place as to what should be done in reference to the unsold shares. Mr. Taplin moved tbat they ' be put in the market and sold to anyone, he feeling quite sure that now the company had been floated successfully, the shares would be' taken Up readily. This was objected to strongly, and did not even find a seconder,, it being thought that those who bad taken the risk should have, a preference. - Fventually Mr. Nolan proposed, aj»d Mr. Christie seconded, and it was agreed to, that the remaining unallotted shares be open to present shareholders, for one month from 3ate, It was arranged that the directors should appoint all officers; and directors meet on Saturday to commence work. The meeting, which commenced at half past two, did not terminate till between seven and eight. Every, one seemed enthusiastic about the prospects of the company.