FARMERS' FREEZING COMPANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25097, 12 December 1942, Page 2

FARMERS' FREEZING COMPANY

DIVIDEND OF 6 PER CENT.

"It is gratifying to me as a shareholder to express appreciation of the way the company has been handled by the directors," said Mr S. I. Fitch, when seconding the adoption of the report and balance sheet, proposed by Mr David Williams (chairman of directors) at the annua] meeting of shareholders of the Waitaki Farmers' Freezing Company, Ltd., yesterday afternoon. Mr Fitch went on to say that he had been associated with the company in the early days, when the outlook was gloomy, and the meetings were not exactly harmonious, but good progress had been made, and the healthy position of the company to-day made the shares an investment well worth having. Mr David Williams presided, and there were only eight shareholders present. This, Mr Williams said, made it quite evident that the shareholders were satisfied with what the directors were doing. The annual report and balance sheet were adopted, as was also the directors' recommendation that a dividend of 6 per cent, be paid. . As there were no further nominations, the retiring directors—Messrs W. E. Aubrey, A. C. Inglis, and J. Matheson—were re-elected unopposed. The remuneration of the directors was fixed at the same amount as i last year, namely, £650, with a further sum of £6OO for special services. . Mr D. V. G. Smith was reappointed auditor. Chairman's Address In his address to the shareholders, Mr Williams said the company had again had a very successful year, and he expressed the directors' appreciation tor the support received from the producers. The past killing season was the best for many years. A record number of sheep and "lambs was treated, and they were oi very good quality, the lambs, he understood being the heaviest in the South Island. An increased number of pigs was received, but .the Killings of calves and cattle were a little lower. A year ago the shipping position was the cause of, some concern, but meat and products were loaded out regularly, and he was pleased to be able to ten them that all iast season's meat had been shipped, and mat they would commence this season with empty stores. He coiud not let the occasion pass witnout paying a tribute to all those men of the navy and the mercantile marine whose courage and constant attention to duty had made this possible.— (Applause.) The chairman said that the gross Revenue amounted to £iti,s2s, and the expenses to £0464, leaving a profit tf £bd6i, to which had to be added £lOl3 from last year, making a total of £9074. 'the 6 per cent, dividend wouid absotb a:bvsß, leaving £33iS to be carried torward to next year. Current liabilities, £70,106, were £5356 lower than last year. Shareholders' funds had increased by £2309, and they now totalled £122,553. Current assets at £49,498 were lower by £1790, and the make-up of the assets had altered considerably, debtors and stocks being reduced by £31,856. and in place of a bank overdraft of £2489 there was cash at the bank amounting to £30,056. This change was mainly due to there being less meat and products on hand awaiting shipment. The debenture -.inking fund invested outside the business stood at £24,188. and other investments were £31,103, During the year £BOOO had been written off plant and buildings as depreciation. On March 30 the wool store was burnt cut. Their friends, the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, Ltd. came to their assistance in completing the processing of wool from thenkillings, and to them they offered sincere thanks. The excellent services rendered by the management and staff were T6cord6d At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr David Williams was re-elected chairman unopposed. WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOLS TERM DATES The following term dates for 1943 were fixed at the monthly meeting of the Waitaki High Schools' Board:—First term, February 2 to May 7; second term, May 25 to August 20; third term, September 14 to December 10. Those present at the meeting were Maior H S. Orbell (chairman), Captain R H. Hill, and Messrs, W. Cooper, J. C. Kirkness, H. Grocott, J. Redman, W. Kinder and D. V. G. Smith (secretary). Accounts amounting to £2848 9s lOd were passed for payment. . In reply to the board's inquiries regarding the supply of rifles and ammunition for the school cadets, the Minister of Education (Mr H. G. R. Mason) advised that rifles had been in such short supply that U had not been pcssiblt to issue them to each school cadet. The position, however, had now improved, and it might be possible to issue a limited number of rifles to cadet units for shooting practice. He would take up the matter with the Minister of Defence.

Tides—To-day at the port of Oamaru high tides will be at 6.46 a.m. and 7.17 p.m., and to-morrow at 7.46 a.m. and 8.14 p.m.

SHIPPING PROBLEM SUPPORT FOR PORT OF OAMARU In his address to shareholders at the | annual meeting of the Waitaki Farmers' Freezing Company, Ltd., yesterday afterI noon, the chairman of directors (Mr David I Williams) said that before the company , took over the business it cost it a great deal of money to rail produce to other harbours. At the present time, Mr Williams said, the difference was paid by the British Government, but after the war that would be discontinued, and it would be for the Waitaki Farmers' Freezing Company to assist, as far as possible, in bringing ships to the Port of Oamaru. He did not know how the Harbour Board would get on, with heavy expenditure and little revenue, but that was a matter for serious consideration after the war was over. WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOLS PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONIES There was a large attendance of parents and friends at the annual prize-giving ceremony held in the Hall of Memories at the 'Waitaki Boys' High School on Thursday night. The chairman was Mr ,T Rodman, a member of the Waitaki High Schools' Board, and among those present were the Mayor (Mr J. C. Klrkness), the Minister for Civil Defence, Mr D. Wilson, the Director of National Service Mr J. S. Hunter, Colonel W. T. Churchward, regional controller of the E.P.S., and members of the High Schools Board. The senior school academic prizes were presented by Mrs R. H. Hill, the athletic prizes bv Mrs J. Rodman, and the junior, school prizes by the Mayoress (Miss Betty Kirkness). During the evening organ selections were played by Mr L. H. Goadard. and choral numbers were sung by pupils of the school. Girls' School The main address at the break-up ceremony of the Waitaki Girls' High School, held yesterday afternoon, was given by Miss 'Marion Fyfe, M.Sc. (lecturer in zoology at Otago University), and a former dux of the school. The proceedings were opened by the Mayor (Mr J. C. Kirkness), and choruses were sung by the pupils of the school and the school choir. The senior school prizes were presented by Miss Fyfe, and the junior school prizes by the Mayoress (Miss Betty Kirkness). The president of the Old Girls' Association (Miss M. Wills) presented the association's prizes, and the presentation of medals and scholarships was made by Major H. S. Orbell (chairman of the Waitaki High Schools' Board). Miss M. J. Macaulay presented the sports prizes. Farewell to Teacher A further break-up function was held at the school on Thursday, when pupils and teachers assembled to bid farewell to Miss M. j. Macaulay, who has resigned fiom the teaching staff. Miss Wilson stated that Miss Macaulay had given excellent service to the school and was very popular with both the pupils and the members of the staff. She was a former pupil and dux of the school, and had been teaching at the school for 20 years. Miss Macaulay was presented with a, crystal vase by the members of the staff, and a picnic basket by the pupils. This latter presentation was made by the head prefect, Esme Miller. School Dux Waitaki Boys' Junior High School.—D. G. Reid. OBITUARY MISS A. S. BLAIR The death occurred yesterday morning of Miss Alice Stewart Blair, a highlyesteemed resident of Oamaru, who had given a great deal of valued service to the community. Miss Blair was the daughter of Mrs Blair and the late Mr A. Blair, of Lawrence. For many years she conducted a business in Thames street, which was closed recently, when she entered the employ of Messrs R. W. Robertson and Co. Miss Blair was organist of Cclumba Church and deputy organist of St. Paul's. She gave of her services as accompanist to many local organisations and societies, and also assisted camp concert parties in that capacity. Her kindly nature and ready willingness to assist endeared her to a wide circle of friends. ITEMS OF INTEREST Maheno St. John.—The following candidates were successful in the examinations of the Maheno St. John Nursing Division:—Home Nursing: Daphne Bishop, Joyce Davis, Helen Duff, Gladys Kelcher, Joan Muldrew, Isabel McCone, Iris Neill. Junior: Joyce Wilson. Label and pendant: Ellen Dougherty, Phyllis King. Margaret Marsh, Ella Macqueen, Marie Robinson. Band Concerts.—Two concerts will be presented by the Oamaru Garrison Band to-morrow, one at 2.45 p.m. and the other at 8.5 p.m. Items will also be given by the New Zealand boy champion cornet player, Dave Christensen, of Dunedin. If it is wet, only one programme will be presented—in the Opera House at 2.45 p.m. Plunket Nurses.—Nurses Molly Howard and Margaret Roll haVe been advised that they have passed the recent examination for Plunket nurses. WASTE PAPER Since the Waste Paper Committee was reconstituted in June, the local depot has handled, including local sales, 65 tons 12cwt of waste paper. After the payment of local exoenses the amount available towards next year's patriotic effort is £243 10s. It is estimated that there are about 600 motor tyres in North Otago, as well as other waste rubber, and the committee has communicated with headquarters in Wellington, and hopes to receive delivery instructions very soon.