MR JOHN CHRISTIE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23333, 27 October 1937, Page 6

MR JOHN CHRISTIE

RETIREMENT FROM DAIRY / COMPANY APPRECIATION OF HIS SERVICES Mr John Christie, of Warepa, who was one of the original .provisional directors of the Co-operative Dairy Company, of Otago, when that company was formed in October, 1922, has now relinquished his position, owing to failing health. Speaking at the annual meeting of the company yesterday, Mr Fred Waite said he could not let the occasion pass without some reference to the valuable services that Mr Christie had rendered to the dairy industry and to farming generally. Mr Christie had been one of the members of the Otago Executive of the Farmers' Union, and when butter-fat payments dropped from 2s to 9d, it was decided to form a purely co-operative dairy company. When initial difficulties were experienced, some of the provisional directors did not care to carry on—the joint-and-several guarantee to the bank was always a severe testMr Christie, though dairying was only a sideline with him, stood to the company and helped to guarantee the company's account at the bank. Through all the years he had exhibited strong co-operative principles, and he firmly believed in farmers assuming the direction of their own affairs. His Interest had been well maintained, but during the past year or two he had not been so vigorous as formerly, ine time came to all when physical capacity was impaired, and Mr Christie now found a good deal or personal inconvenience in travelling to meetings. Mr Waite said that he knew he was speaking on behalf of the farmers of Otago when he thanked Mr Christie for the great services he had rendered to the fanning industry, and he wished him well in his retirement from active affairs.. Mr William Blackie (Mosgiel), speaking as another provisional director, endorsed Mr Walte's remarks, and said that Mr Christie had at all tunes had the interests of the, dairy farmer at heart, and his co-directors were glad to have been associated with mm. Mr C. R. M'Callum (Flag Swamp) said that Mr Christie, although a strong co-operator, was also a pronounced individualist. He always thought for himself, and did not allow others to make up his mind for him. That.was the type of man badly wanted in affairs to-day Mr Christie's work would live. Mr Neil Stewart (chairman), in putting a motion of thanks to the meeting, said that everyone had been impressed bv Mr Christie's advocacy of many causes-the freezing industry, and particularly his many valuable articles on tree growing on the farm. On behalf of the shareholders of the company, he conveyed the message of thanks and appreciation to him for his work. Mr Len. Hewson, an officer of the company, said that from childhood he had known Mr Christie, who.hadl been a neighbour at Warepa and a better and more helpful neighbour no one could have had. . .. After many others had spoken, Mr Christie, in reply, thanked; all present for their kind remarks. He had done what he could to help the farmers, he said, his neighbours andl his fr ends, and it was some satisfaction to know that he had in some' measure succeeded. His boys were now taking much of the strain of management, and, although he was .sorry to relinquish his active association with the company, he felt that he "had slipped a bit," and he had to take things easily. He hoped to look in occasionally,, and keep up old acquaintances and friendships. In the meantime, he was glad to know that the work he had been trying to do was in good hands.