RATANUI (CATLIN'S RIVER).

Otago Witness, Issue 2083, 25 January 1894, Page 22

RATANUI (CATLIN'S RIVER).

January 22.— The subject of a dairy factory fur this district has been mooted for some time, and about a month ago a meeting was held and a committee appointed to make inquiries. Another meeting was hold in the Ratanui Schoolhouse on Saturday evening, the 20th inst , to receive the report of thn committee and to lake further steps in the matter. The meeting was fairly representative of Ratanui and Catlius, and Mr W. Carlton was voted to the chair. After Mr Carlton hail, a!; some length and very clearly and forcibly, shown the benefits likely to accrue to individuals and to the district from the establishment of a factory, he detailed the steps taken by the committee. Owing to the inability of the Owaka Dairy Factory to cooperate, it was found that the idea of a creamery would have to be abandoned. The New Zealand Dairy Farmers' Co-operative Company, however, was willing to erect a cheese factory provided the settlers would take up shaies to the amount of j£fiOO. After Mr Carlton's address a good deal of informal discussion took place, and Mr Anderson (the representative of the company) was very closely questioned, his answers seeming to give satisfaction. Mr W. j. Pollock then moved the following resolution which was seconded by Mr Shaw, and carried unanimously— " That this meeting affirms the desirability of establishing a cheese factory in this district ; T;hat a committee be appointed to make arrangements, and canvass for shares • and that those present be asked to state the number of shares they would be willing to take up provided the requisite number be taken up in the district." In conformity with the motion a committee of 11 was elected, Mr Carlton being chairman, and Mr WJ Pollock secretary. Shares to the amount of £367 were spoken for in the room The factory, if started, will be within half a mil« of Ratanui Post Office. With the passing of ™£ of thanks to the outgoing committee and to Mr Carlton, the meeting adjourned for a fortnight.