WOOL AND MEAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26132, 20 April 1946, Page 4

WOOL AND MEAT

SHIPMENTS FROM OAMARU PROGRESS LEAGUE’S CONCERN Concern at the loss occasioned by the Wool Disposal Commission’s decision that Oamaru is not to be retained as a woolselling centre was expressed at the monthly meeting ol' the North Otago Progress League on Wednesday night. The league decided to keep the matter in view and to make further representations to the authorities concerned when an opportunity arose. Mr A. R. Tait was in the chair, and there were also present at the meeting Messrs H. S. StevCns, J. B. Chapman, A. C. Hurst W. C. Burdett, D. Williams, James Newlands, D. S. Bain, and the secretary (Mr S. Svmon). Correspondence was received from the Minister of Health, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, in connection with the application for the retention of Oamaru as a wool-selling centre, and Mr Tait said the commission’s decision was a serious loss to the progress of the town, but everything possible had been done in the matter. Mr James Newlands stated the decision would mean a great loss to producers, as both the sale and shipping of wool from Oamaru would be lost, apart from the loss of wages to workers in stores. Mr J. B. Chapman: Has anything been done about the shipping of meat from Oamaru? ' , Mr Tait: When you put the harbour in order, probably meat will be shipped from here. . New Industry Competition The Oamaru Harbour Board forwarded a grant of £3 3s to the fund for the competition for suggestions for establishing new industries in North Otago.—The grant was accepted with thanks. The secretary reported that £27 17s had been received for the fund, and other amounts had been promised but not yet received. One entry had been received, he reported, under the conditions agreed upon As Mr T. R, Beatty was not present at the meeting, the matter was held over until next meeting. Irrigation Farm Mr Tait reported that the share capital for the experimental irrigation farm had been taken up and the company should be registered early in May, when they could go ahead with experiments in irrigation. Mr J. O. Riddell, head of the Irrigation Department of New Zealand, had seen the farm, and had stated that he was very well satisfied with matters in this connection. Mr A. C. Hurst reported that Mr Riddell had shown keen interest in the scheme, which he had thought had great possibilities. Mr Riddell had seen several of the great irrigation schemes of the world, and had expressed the opinion that the Mid-Canterbury scheme had possibilities of becoming one of the best because of its lay-out and the quality of the land. The Canterbury Plains and Waitaki Plains were part and parcel of the one large area, and he thought they could look forward to something coming out of the Steward Settlement scheme. Mr Tait reported that an invitation from Messrs Blackie and Sons for the official opening of a branch in Oamaru had been accepted. The firm, he said, had opened a fine branch in the town, and the working conditions for the staff' were excellent.