AMALGAMATION

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1937, Page 6

AMALGAMATION

MEETING OF DAIRY PRODUCERS. DIRECTORS ELECTED. The largest meeting of producers yet held ;>t Kokatahi took place on Satur day evening, over 70 shareholders in the newly formed Co-operative Dairy. Company being present.

Mr Mark Wallace was voted to the chair and gave a bnet aistory of the movement leading to the purpose of the meeting. He mentioned that the present provisional directors of the newly formed company had agreed to resign office, in order that district representation of directors may be appointed for election by the total shareholders joining the ~-ovement, and a general meeting of all shareholders: was to be held in Hokitika on next

Thursday for such definite appointments.

The chairman stated the allocation of directors for the- various districts was as -follows: —-Kokatahi-Ivoiterangi 4, Arahura 2, Ross 1, and Waitaha 1. However as the total suppliers from Arahura had not yet joined in the scheme, 1 director only would be alloted for that district in the meantime, and the extra given to Kokntahi-Koite-rangi. He mentioned the producers had agreed'by ballot vote to purchase the Westland Dairy Company’s property and plant as a going concern for £15,000 and an option to that effect had been given the now Co-operative Dairy by the directors of the formei company. Completion of the deal had to take place on, or before 7th November this year. Up to the present about 125 members had subscribed for over 12,000, £1 shares, and the cows guaranteed for supply were over 4,000. The scheme had therefore worked very well and the launching was an assured success.

The question of appointment of di rectors now arose, and it was for the meeting to decide as to the mode of appointment. The meeting agreed upon election as from the Kokatalii-Koito-raugi districts as a whole. Fifteen, directors were then nominated and as on 1 v five were required, a ballot election took place. The results were as follows Elected, Messrs M. Wallace I J. Smith, W. A. Jamieson, J. Monk and N. Harris.

The Arahura district, stated the chairman, had already met and appointed Mr C. Cook of Kaihinu, and the settlers of Ross and Waftaha were meeting on Monday for election Cc their representative director, At the conclusion of the meeting, the elected candidates thanked the electors for support and confidence bestowed.

Mr Wallace in expressing thanks hoped he would he worthy of the trust and confidence bestowed upon him. He would do his utmost to make a success of the venture, which additionally with .other directors, required the sympathetic assistance of all concerned. The method of director election was as democratic as possible, and the producers themselves would bo to blame in the event of any failure, and he trusted- all would work in the best interests of the man on the farm, who is carrying the load.

Mr Jamieson, in giving thanks for support, stated they were all well aware he was not a large dairy -supplier, hut he had supported the amalgamation scheme for the last 14 years and he was very pleased to • note the project was about to bear fruit. The first year, said the speaker, would be the most difficult one to negotiate, but the directors appointed were all successful business men and doubtless their assistance would he of invaluable help in steering the company to srmilar success.

Mr N. -Harris thanked the meeting for support, he was not looking forward to the first year as being as easy one, but he would render his best services in the interests of the company and the farming community generally. Mr J. Monk also thanked electors for the confidence bestowed and gave assurance of his whole hearted support and assistance in the best interests oi the Company.

Mr J. Smith in appreciating the trust conferred upon him, knew it would be-a trying year for all, but he would do his best for the company and the suppliers as a whole.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, scrutineers (T. Kcclesfield and H. Boddington) and the secretary (Mr H. T. Parry) for their services in conducting the poll.