WOLFS MUSIC TIME-BLOCKS COMPANY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3003, 4 October 1911, Page 69

WOLFS MUSIC TIME-BLOCKS COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING. About a year ago the above company was formed to promote the sale of certain articles known as'"time-blocks "—an invention which had been patented and which had for its object the teaching of music to young children by the' device of arranging wooden blocks whereon the notes were printed. ■ The second annual meeting of the held on September 28 in Mr W. E C. Reid's office, was presided over by Mr J. A. Hopcraft, and there were seven shareholders .present. . ~;/• The following annual report was presented : —The statutory meeting of the company was held on June 30, 1910, when a statement was- produced showing an expenditure ofi» £l9l 13s 6d in registration fees, legal expenses, patents, etc. Since that date further payments for license fee, bank charges, audit, and general expenses have amounted to £5 os 6d only, it having Seen agreed that the remuneration to the irectors and secretary should stand over until the annual general meeting of the company. Prior to the date of the statutory, meeting, the sum of £3OO had been placed on deposit in the Post Office and Dunediri Savings Banks, where it still remains. , The interest to December 31 last amounted to £5 ss.

At the- statutory meeting copies of the letters sent to Messrs Bege and Go. s London office were read to the meeting. In due course the directors received word that the printing and copywriting of the instruction book had been proceeded with, and that prices were being obtained for th<> manufacture of the blocks. At a meeting of directors, held on the 15th December, 1910, copies of Messrs Oppenheimer Bros.' letters of October 3 and 4, 1910, to Messrs Begg and Co., London, were considered. Messrs Oppenheimer Bros, quoted 3e 6d per set of blocks complete, delivered free in London. They stated: " Our factory promises that the work will be executed precisely as per sample box, and that the execution will be far better than the box they have to go by. They guarantee a perfect reproduction and in every respect accurate. The kevs will be m*de of wood, and then the descriptive text will be pasted on after being printed on suitable paper. As the work is all done by machine it will be perfect in every respect. We are sorry we cannot give you any' more particulars, and hope that tlTose given will enable you to secure the order." The directors considered they could not do better than place an order with this firm, and accordingly instructed Messrs Begg and Co. to order by cable from Oppenheimer Bros. 1000 sets of blocks at the price quoted, if their London manager could not do better. A few advance sets oame to hand in June last, but were so glaringly inaccurate, and displayed a want of finish in every respect that the directors instructed Messrs Begg and Ob. to immediately cable that delivery would be refused. Unfortunately, the whole order had been despatched and paid for in London. The correspondence and minutes of the directors' meetings were submitted to Messrs Calvert and Brugh, the company's solicitors, and a meeting of directors, held o.i Monday, Sepember 11, Mr Calvert's opinion was received. He pointed out that Messrs Begg and Co. acted as agents

! only for the _ company, and were entitled to be indemnified against loss. The directors have therefore instructed Messrs Gal* vert and Brugh to commence an action for the recovery of the money paid by Messrs Begg and Co., including interest and all charges. In accordance with the articles of association, Mr W. R. Brugh retires from office, also Mr Chas. Grater, auditor, and, both beingr eligible offer themselves for re-election. The company has a credit balance of £305 5s in the bank. This report fully explains the position of the company and all that has been done subsequently to the drawing up of the report was made clear by the reading of a letter which had been written by Messrs Calvert and Brugh to Messrs Begg and Co., the London agents of the company. This letter set forth the defects in the blocks, stating that they were incorrect and inacourate, and summed uo the matter by remarking a " frightful botch" had been made of their manufacture. Instruct tiona were also given to Messrs Begg and Co. to sue Messrs Oppenheimer Bros, for a refund of the cost of the shipment of 1000 boxes received by the company. Seve» ral of these boxes selected at random werd laid before those present, and all agreed! that the comments passed upon them by Messrs Calvert and Brugh were fully justified, and the opinion was freely expressed that they reflected great discredit on the firm of Messrs- Oppenheimer Bros., of Leipsic. The adoption of the report was then moved by Mr Hoporaft, who, in doing so, said that the shareholders knew the position so well that it was not necessary for him to make any comments. The motion was seconded by Mr It. S. Black, and carried. As Mr Black had to retire at this, stag* the meeting lapped for want of a and it was decided to call one at a. future date.