GISBORNE SHEEP-FARMERS’ FROZEN MEAT COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 395, 21 April 1902, Page 3

GISBORNE SHEEP-FARMERS’ FROZEN MEAT COMPANY.

The statutory general meeting of the above company was held on Saturday afternoon at tho Masonic Barnple-rooms. There were about seventy sheep-farmers present. Ml T. A. Coleman, secretary, said that it would be for the shareholders to nominate a chairman, and Mr C. A. DeLautour was nominated. The Secretary readthenotice convening the meeting. On the motion of the Chairman, tho statutory report, which had been circulated amongst the shareholders, was taken as read and adopted. An additional report of the provisional committee was read, as follows: “ Tho provisional committee beg to report that, pursuant to the resolution passed at tho meoting of sheep-farmers held on January 4, 1902, having taken the preliminary steps for tho formation of a company, they concluded negotiations with Mr Shelton for

the purchase of the Gisborne breezing Works for the sum of £22,745. At the time of tho purchase the minimum subscription of 15,000 shares bad not been obtained, but with tho view of re-opening the works at the earliest possible date, and in order to obtain the benefit of this season’s working, the committee took upon themselves the responsibility of commencing freezing operations on February 2fith, without waiting for tho completion of the formalities necessary to bo complied with before the company could be legally formed or Mr Shelton could give title. It now remains for tho shareholders to confirm theaction.of the committee, fix the num-

ber of directors, and proceed to tho election of those who are to hold oflice for the first year.” The Chairman said that it was neces-

sary that that report be adopted, as their arrangement with Mr Shelton required confirmation. Of course they knew the wishes of the shareholders and that it would bo fatal not to close with the offer. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr Kenway seconded the motion, which was carried. Tho Chairman said a resolution was required fixing the number of directors. Mr W. Cooper moved and Mr G. Mac-

lean seconded that the number be ten, the

full number. Mr Sisterson proposed, and Mr Livingstone seconded, that the number be sevon.

Mr Kenway spoke in favor of ten. The trouble was who to leavo out rather than who to vote for. It seemed to him that it would be better to have the larger number distributed throughout the district, and thus give a greater interest in the work. Mr Chambers said ho had been in favor of seven, but now he preferred ten, at any rate for this year. There were some names that would not be generally known, and it was better to have the larger interest.

Mr W. D. Lysnar also favored ten, which he said would always give them a quorum, which was vory necessary. Only that morning there had been an offer of 17,000 sheep, and with a few directors they might not get a quorum, and thus such business might have to go past them. It would be better to have more heads.

In reply to Mr Mason, Mr Lysnar said that the manager should not deal with such matters on his own responsibility. Mr W. G. Foster thought they should not have too many cooks. There was such a .thing as haying too large a directorate.

In reply to Mr Parker tho Chairman said that the quorum was fixed at three.

Mr Parker: In that case, I think Mr Sisterson might withdraw his amendment. Mr Livingstone, as seconder, objected to do so.

Od the amendment bemg put, there were 10 for, and an overwhelming ma-

jority against, the motion being carried jy a large majority. The balloting for directors was then proceeded with, Messrs Eliott and Macfarlane being'appointed scrutineers. Messrs H. M. Porter and Andrew Graham were elected auditors.

Mr Livingstone asked whether a director could be nominated-at that meet-

mg. The Chairman said that the articles required 11 days for nominations, which the secretary had acted upon. But if it were insisted upon, he would admit nominations, it being a statutory meeting, though ho thought it would be very inconvenient, unless some good man had been unintentionally left out. Mr Livingstone said that the notice was short. He had a good man to nominate, and had not had an opportunity. Mr Kcnway regretted that the time had been very short, but they thought they had made up for that by nominating anyone who would be likely to stand. Mr Geoffrey Mic"' - an suggested that a vote be taken on uue subject. The Chairman said he could not do that. He must himself take the respon-

sibility of deciding, and ho would have to rule in favor of Mr Livingstone’s contention if it were pressed. He would be sorry to seo any frictioif in the matter. Mr Livingstone said that he would not press it further, and the voting was then proceeded with. In reply to Mr F. Lysnar, the Chairman said that shareholders could

“ plump ” if they so desired by not voting for the whole ten. Mr W. D. Lysnar said he would have liked to have seen a rule against that. He hope that everyone would exercise the whole of his votes for the ten directors. (Applause.) There were 23 names on the ballot list, and of that number there had withdrawn :—Messrs George Eliot Eliott, James Fitzgerald, Martin Bertram Mander, John Macfarlane Ritchie, William Fownes Somerville, and Richard Sherratt.

The election of directors resultsd as follows Barker, Frank Barker, Walter Chambers, William. Knox Clark, John Cooper, William DeLautour, Cecil Albert Hall, Frederick Hutchinson, Edward Massey Kenway, Philip Thornton Lysnar, William Douglas

In returning thanks Mr Chambers said they had at the outset bad a good deal of trouble, but it was not so much as he had anticipated. They had now got started on a fairly sound financial basis. It was not intended to be a dividend-paying company, but they wonld try to keep up the price of stock to a fair amount. He pointed out that as they had got along so well for that season, it was desirable that

they should have the co-operation of sheepfarmers in the way of taking up more shares. He anticipated -that- next year, there would bo so many sheep to deal with that they would have to duplicate their plant so as to cope with 1200 to 1600 a day instead of 800. He mentioned this matter now so that they could have plenty of time to think it over and might bo able to duplicate the works at short notice. Ho was pleased with what had

been done so far, and hoped that the company would prosper. Mr Ewen Cameron also spoke, emphasising that if they wished the works to succeed as a co-operative concern the directors must always insist on receiving nothing but the best sheep. It was to the interest of the sheepfarmers that that policy should be strictly adhered to. (Hear, hear.) , The meeting broke up with a vote of thanks to the chairman. At a meeting of directors Mr DeLautour was elected chairman.