MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 353, 1 July 1869, Page 2

MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

•» A meeting of shareholders was held at the offices of Messrs Miles and Co., at noon today. There were present — Messrs Robert Wilkin, Palmer, Aynsley, Gould, Walton, Peter, Brett, Lane, C. R. Blakiston, Hassal, Matson, George Hart, J. E. Graham, I. R. C. Graham, Hennah, and HornbrooO On the motion of Mr Aynsley, seconded by Mr Palmer, Mr Hart took the chair. The Chairman made a few opening observations, and concluded by calling on the secretary to read the report of the directors. Mr Wilkin read the following report : — • " Before retiring from office, the directors beg to make the following report : — ' " At the last meeting of the shareholders, on the 24th March, it was recommended that the operations of the company should be confined to boiling down only, in consequence of the discouraging accounts that were then received of the reception of preserved meat on the English markets; and, in furtherance of this view, the directors ordered a boiling down apparatus from Melbourne, capable of boiling down 1200 sheep per week, and of being extended to do 2400, and this apparatus has just arrived. " The recent advices from England furnish the agreeable intelligence that there is a complete revolution regardiug the demand for Australian meat, aud it would appear that there is every prospect of a demand continuing in excess of what is likely to be supplied from the Australian colonies. Under these circumstances, the directors have thought it advisable to combine at once the preserving of meat with the boiling down process, and ■with this object they have completed the purchase, on favourable terms, of a preserving plant recently imported by Mr Tooth, and secured the services of a very competent expert in the preserving process, who came out under engagement to Mr Tooth. " With some additions (which can be obtained here) to the apparatus purchased, the directors believe they can tin down from 2000 to 2500 sheep \v eekly, at a cost that will bear favourable comparison with that of preserving by the Australian companies. " The directors have arranged plans of buildings suitable for the double purposes of preserving and boiling down, aud have every reason to believe that the establishment may be in full work in four mouths from the present date. The choice of a suitable site whereon to erect the necessary buildings, has given the directors much anxiety. It was considered that, independent of cost, proximity to a railway, facility for drainage, good water supply, and a situation where trouble from nuisance was not likely to arise, were the most important elements to be considered, and the directors had extreme difficulty in finding a piece of land combining all those requisites. After a careful examination into the merits of all the sites offered, it was determined to purchase 42 acres of Government land in the old Waimakariri river bed, about seven miles from Christchurch, and near to the Great Southern Railway. Between this piece of land and the railway there is a Government reserve, the use of which the directors hope to get, either by purchase or upon lease, and they also expect to obtain from the Government permission to make a siding to the works, so as to avoid altogether the necessity of cartagfc. The land purchased possesses all the requisites, except water, in a greater degree than any other land available to the company, and the dfrv ctors have not the least doubt, from enquiries they have made, and from their own observations, that a sxifficient supply of water will be obtained by sinking. The Government of the province having advertised the offer of a bonus of £1000 for the eucouragemeut of that particular branch of industry which is the object of the company, the directors have lodged an application for the same, and hope to obtain it. " The number of shares subscribed for to this date is 844, which the directors consider to be quite insufficient for the purposes of the company. Looking at the great importance which the opei'ations of this company arc likely to be to the whole community, the directors cannot but hope that the additional capital required will be readily subscribed now that there is an immediate prospect of being able to commence operations, with every chance of very satisfactory results; aud they would earnestly impress upon the present shareholders to use their influence to effect the issue of as many additional shares as possible, so that the operations of the company may not be cramped or limited for want of sufficient capital. "Mr Robeit Wilkin, who has devoted great attention to the subject of converting our surplus stock, has agreed, on very favourable terni3, to assist the directors in the active part of the management of the company; aud the directors have much pleasure in recommeuding Mr Wilkin for a seat at the board the first vacancy that occurs. "As operations involving outlay have only just commenced, the directors have no accounts to lay before the shareholders." The report was adopted. After some discussion on matters connected with the business and operations of the company, the following gentlemen were unanimously elected directors for the^ ensuing year : — Messrs John Studholme, Rhodes, Aynsley, G. Gray Russell, Walton, R. Wilkin,' and G. Hart. Messrs Walton and Hennah signified their willingness to take or dispose of fifteen additional shares each, and the former gentleman expressed a hope that those present

would do likewise, in order that the capital might be increased to an extent which would enable the company to carry on its operations in a safe and satisfactory manner. The meeting then adjourned.