JBM18880329

1888 March 29th
Adjourned Meeting of Directors
29th March 1888, 4.30 P.M. at 7 Water Street Yokohama
Present: Mr.Dodds (Chair), Mr.Grosser, Mr.Talbot, Mr.Abbot, and Mr.Baehr

Minutes of previous meeting which had been adjourned were read.
¾Auditor Schwabe
The Chairman stated in reference to the appointment of Auditors that Mr.

Schwabe had kindly consented, although not a shareholder, to audit theaccounts along with any other gentleman who might be appointed and it wasdecided that he should be written to, asking him to accept the position, andthat the secretary should see Mr. Till and request him to audit to 31stDecember last, as he had promised.
¾Engine and Machinery Handed Over to the Brewer and Engineer
The Chairman stated that the Engine and Machinery had now been

handed over to the Brewer and Engineer and that it was intended to send theFitter home by the “General Werder” sailing on 4th April. It was arranged thathe should receive a letter signed by the Brewer and Engineer to the effect thatthey were satisfied with the plant and machinery as now completed, noting at
the same time any defects which it might be necessary to have made good.
It was also mentioned that, on commencing the work, something had been
said to Mr. Rothe about a possible gratuity or honorarium being given to him
on its completion. The Chairman suggested that owing to the delays whichhave occurred and the extra expense involved the Company do not find1

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themselves in a position to make any large allowance, although quite
recognising that the work has been well done. Ultimately a small sum wasmentioned and Mr. Baehr said he would see the Brewer about it.
The Chairman mentioned that there was still some delay in the part ofthe Contractor in finishing off the yards, but that there was an advantage
even in that as the interest on the money due him would be saved.
¾Agencies / Holme Ringer ‘ Co, Nagasaki / Caldbeck & McGregor for
Shanghai and ports / H. Isono in Tokyo agency / No agency in Yokohama
In regard to the question of appointing Agencies, Mr. Talbot suggested

advertising in the Japanese papers. The Chairman read a letter form Messrs.
Holme Ringer & Co, Nagasaki, to the effect that their firm would be glad toaccept the agency there, also one from Mr. A.E. Maxham, applying for theAgency at Shanghai and for the Riverine Ports. The secretary was instructed
to write to Messrs. Holme Ringer & Co. giving them the Agency and statingthat the rate of Commission would be decided later on. In regard to Mr.
Maxham’s application it was understood that Messrs. Caldbeck & McGregor
would be the most suitable agents for Shanghai and ports. It was decided thatno Agency would be required for Yokohama as the Company would do that
portion of the business direct. Mr. Talbot said he would probably see Mr. H.
Isono in reference to his letter of 15th Novr. 1886, in regard to the TokioAgency.
¾Agency Commissions

The subject of rates of Agency Commissions was then raised and Mr. Talbot
suggested the following scale, which met with general approval.
If consigned for remittance when sold

10%2

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If purchased direct in quantities in value
Exceeding $100 and below $500〃$500 - 〃 -〃

$1000

5%

$1000

10%-12 1/2%

Commission on Beer only – Exclusive of Packages to include all Charges
from Landing inclusive prices to be F.O.B.
It was suggested that now that Beer is being brewed regularly a circularshould be printed and distributed inviting orders to be supplied at a certain
date, and the secretary was instructed to consult with the Brewer and fix upona date by which the beer will be ready for sale.
¾

Sale of Waste Grains
The sale of waste grains was mentioned and the Chairman reported thatMr. J. Winstanley had so far taken all that had been produced and that he wasprepared to take any quantity up to 5 Tons per week if the price were
sufficiently low. $5, per ton had been quoted to him as a very reasonable figure,but he contended that that was too high. The secretary was instructed to seesome other Dairy Keepers or Livery Stable men on the subject, and it
appeared to be the opinion of the Meeting that $5 was the lowest price that
could be asked.
¾

Beer Cases and Straw Envelopes for Bottles
It was also reported that samples of beer cases had been obtained fromMessrs. Fraser Farley & Varnum and from Japanese box-makers.
The Japanese prices were somewhat lower than those of the foreign factoryand it was decided to have some more communication with both parties.
Straw Envelopes for bottles were also decided upon the instructions were3

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given to enquire about price per 10,000.In regard to the supply of Taps, it was understood that consumers would
have to find their own.
¾Selling Prices of Beer
The proposed selling prices of the beer were again discussed and theprices mentioned at last meeting with slight alterations were adhered to, viz;In Draught

In quantities to suit the requirement of Consumers:
60 Cts per gallon
Packages extra, the charges for which will be refunded onreturn.

Bottledper 4 Doz. Quarts packed in Cases:$8.50. with allowance of 50 Cts per doz. For bottles
returned.
Per 8 Doz Pints packed in Cases:$10.50 with allowance of 30 Cts per doz for bottles
returned.

Unpacked¾Quarts per Doz $2.00

Same allowance

Pints - 〃 -for Bottles

1.25

Pastorising Machine
The Brewer had requested that a pastorising machine be supplied him

and it was decided to order one by the first mail. It was understood that in themeantime the beer can be pastorized by some temporary expedient.
¾Opening Tiffin on 11th April
Mr. Talbot stated that Wednesday, 4th April, would be an inconvenient day

for the Japanese who might be invited to the opening Tiffin proposed to be4

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given and it was decided to postpone it till Wednesday, 11th April.
¾Rohde & Coy’s Mark AccountMessrs. C. Rohde & Coy’s mark a/c to 31st Decr. 1887 was then taken into

consideration and the Chairman read an analysis of the same which showed
the account to consist of the following:Preliminary

Marks

Machinery

2,967.40
106,422.66

Payments to H. Heckert

921.90

Building a/c

6,036.93

Stores33,802.02

Plant

18,838.57

Brewing Material

18,528.79$187,518.27

A number of items were discussed, more especially the charges for Interestand Commission, the rate charged for the former being 7%, and for the latter
5% on the total bill. No arrangement had been entered into with Messrs. C.
Rohde & Co. but it had been expected that the Company would get the best
terms on which such orders are executed in Europe. It was considered thatthese items were capable of some reduction, and the secretary was instructedto address a letter embodying these views and submitting the matter to theirconsideration.
The state of Finances went to show that on payment of various accounts
due on 31st March the authorized overdraft at the Bank would reach its limit.
It was resolved that Mr. Dodds and Mr. Talbot be authorized to apply to Mr.
Fraser, Manager of the Bank, for further assistance, and that a Trial Balance

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to 31st March be prepared in order to show that gentleman the state of affairs.
The meeting adjourned at 7.30 p.m.
J. Donaldson

James Dodds

SecretaryChairman6