Minute Book: Board of Directors, AGMs, EGMs

This volume contains minutes of meetings of the board of directors, AGMs and EGMs of the company. There are also some related papers, such as reports of the board. Meetings of the board took place on an irregular basis, sometimes monthly or at even shorter intervals than that, and less frequently at other times. Matters discussed at meetings included the administration of the company, personnel, the performance of the company and its financial position, products, agencies abroad, and manufacturing. Early minutes discuss the formation of the company and the allocation of share capital in some detail. This appears to have been the subject of a certain amount of dispute. This volume is not indexed, and there are no page numbers used in it. There are occasional blank pages throughout the volume. A proposal to acquire land for the erection of factory premises at Fiddlers Ferry, between Warrington and Widnes, is noted at the meeting of 18 Apr 1901. Difficulty with import duty being imposed on sheep dipping products in the USA is noted at the meeting of 1 Aug 1901. The first AGM (28 Jul 1902) reports "serious and unexpected difficulties" in the conduct of the firm's business during it's first year. At the AGM of 5 Jun 1928, a report is presented noting the effect on the company of a decline in sheep farming in Argentina. An EGM held on 30 Oct 1908 passed a resolution ensuring that no more than 50 people (excluding employees) could be members (shareholders), and confirming that no offer of debentures or shares should be made to the general public. Difficulties with business in Argentina due to a rebellion at the end of 1914 is noted in the report of the board dated 25 Jun 1915. Losses caused by a clerk falsifying the accounts in the South American business are noted in the report of 9 Aug 1918. From 1919 onwards, there are mainly documents relating to AGMs, and just a few notes of routine board meetings. The signing of a new agreement with Fisons is noted at the meeting of 20 Sep 1923. The meeting of 3 Dec 1926 notes discussions with Little, Fison, Ratcliff Ltda in Argentina regarding the agency for the sale of Hayward's paste dip. Failure of the agency is noted in the report for the year ending 31 Dec 1925 (written c. Dec 1926). An agency with Thomson, Evans & Company for sales in Argentina is noted at the meeting of 4 Jan 1927. It is likely that this had replaced the previous arrangement. The succession is described in the report for the year ending 31 Dec 1926. Minutes of meetings on 1 Dec 1927 and 23 Dec 1927 document the sale of the majority of the business to Cooper McDougall & Robertson Ltd.

21 Dec 1900 - 1 Aug 1928

1 item

Please see main WF collection description (ref. 'WF').