MEETING OF SETTLERS AT BLUESKIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1162, 7 March 1874, Page 15

MEETING OF SETTLERS AT BLUESKIN.

A meeting of settlers interested in the formation of a Company for tbo purpose of purchasing ran entire horse of the draught specie*, at home, and importing him to this! country, was held at tho Kilinog Hotel, Blucskin, on the evening of the 27th ulr. Mr John Duncan, of Cherry Farm, was appointed Chairman, and tui're were present in addition— Messrs John Reid, of Corner Bush ; Alex. Oannatyne, K. J>. Kergubon, J. Harvey, J. Pntt, of the Waikmiaiti Kaik ; Law, and D unbar, the host of the hou'-o. The Chairman stated that it was an adjourned meeting from the previous Friday evening. '!hc Committee then appointed to canvass the Klueakin aud Kilmo^ district and neighbourhood had to report, and he would ue glad to hear what success had been met with. On the lists being handed in and rend over, it was found that 72 shares out of the proposed SO, considered at iirafc nece.ssary for making up, t'io Company had been taken up. It was stated ;dso that 50 mares belonging to the shareholders could be depended upon for service. The CjiAruM.VK remarked that Mr Lw was present with the object of asctrtainiii" the prospects of the Company as a financial investment, independent of any consideration of benefit shareholders having mares _ serve were likely to receive prospecjuvely in that respect; and if the gentlemen present satisfied Mr Law on that head, he (Mr Law) was inclined to take an interest in the matter.

Mr Law was of opinion that a prospectus should be drawn up, showing bow the horse would be a success financially to investors, without mares, as aLo to shareholders who would make use of tho horse to breed from.

A lon<f conversation tliou <>n-uod iv matters connected with tho proposed Company, the price 1o be charged for a horao travelling tho district being tho main topic discussed, some of the speakers entertaining the i'lca. that a tixol rate for a first- class animal should bo charged, which w.'uld pay good dividends for tho money inve3ted, as the rink on aliipboard would be great. Ultimately it w.is agreed that too high or too low a figure should nnt be charged, but a medium, say an averages of £4. The cost of the horse at home was at3o mooted, and the freight and charges likely to be nude named ; tho sort of sliio he would have to como by, as ho could not be imported by a vessel having immigrants onb oard. Insurance was considered to be out of the question, as the rate would likely bo too high. Mr Goldie, tho gentleman who was gf>ing to make the purchase on behalf of the Company, had agreod to tako charge of the animal until landed for the very reasonab'o i enumeration of £30. Such questions wera duly discus I, although it was understood tbo conversation was premature, iuasnmch us tho WorkingCommitteo, when formed, would have to uuilertake uuoli | matter* as part of their duty. ' Mr Jvavv then placed hjg ftsupe un the. elwo

list for three shares, making the number seventy- five taken up. Although the project of forming the Company had arisen with sogne of the Blueskin settlers, it was decided to travel the horse from the north side of the W-\itati River to the south side of Pleasant River, and not through Blueskin generally, as the support received from those settlers, with two or three notable exceptions, was nil, and tho Company, as then formed, might be called the Kilmog one. Mr Goldie's ability as a judge of horseflesh was discussed, and that gentleman received great praise as such from Messrs Reirl, Bstnnatyno, and Ferguson. The Cjiatkman" stated that he would have liked to have seen two animals imported of a first-class stamp, as there was nothing like introducing new blood into the Province — he meant a mare as well as entire.

Mr Law was added to the Committee, which now consists of the gentlemen named at the head of this report, and Messrs Walter Park and William Downes.

Moved by Mr seconded by Mr Hahvby, that Mr Pteid be appointed Hon. Sec, pro tern., to attend to all matters necessary to the proper formation of the Company. Carried unanimously. Moved by Mr Fernuson, seconded by Mr Law, that the Company be called the Waikouaiti and Blueskin Entire Horsu Company. Capita], £300, in 100 shares of £5 each. Carried unanimously. The capital was increased £100 on purpose to allow a margin to Mr Goldie, and for incidental expense ; and the Secretary, it was understood, would employ a solicitor to draw up a deed of copartnership, and procure tho necessary blank scrip. The meeting was adjourned to the 20th insfc., at 8 o'clock, at tho same house. Mr Pratt, of the Ivaik, said that he would be in Canterbury then, but would leave hi 3 money for his shares and the money coming from other shareholders at tho Kaik with Mr Reid before leaving, as it would be wanted prior to his return. He would aldo do all he could to advance the interests of the Company. Tho usual vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the business of the meeting. The gentlemen shortly after dispersed, well pleased with the progress made, and sanguine as to the future success of the Company.