THE LIVERPOOL MERCURY - FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 1865
Last evening a meeting of Cowkeepers and dairymen was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, St Anne Street. There was a numerous attendance. The objects of the meeting were to consider the propriety of establishing an association for insurance against the loss of cows by disease or accident, and the regulation of the price of milk according to the current cost of provender, etc.
Mr Ducket, having been called to the chair, drew attention to the subjects to be discussed, and proceeded to read a number of rules for the guidance of a proposed association, to be denominated “The Liverpool Cowkeepers’ Association”, for the insurance of cowkeepers’ stock against disease or accident. The regulations included the payment of 5s. per head entrance fee and a subscription, and required that any person desirous of becoming a member should have his stock visited by a veterinary surgeon appointed by the society.
Mr Harris, in moving that the suggestions be adopted, said he was surprised such a movement had not been previously commenced, as it was much needed, especially when the extent of the present plague was considered. He referred to an association which had been established in Cheshire, and expressed his fear that they would be unable to make progress unless they had the assistance of men of finance. The motion having been seconded by Mr Bean, was carried.
It was suggested that two-thirds of the value of a cow be paid to the owner in the event of loss, instead of the full amount; but the rules having been passed, the chairman suggested that the subject might be considered at a future meeting.
The next subject was that of increasing the price of milk. Some conversation took place, during which Mr Harris adverted to the advanced price of cows and of provender, whilst milk remained at 3d. per quart. Mr Thomas Leech, of Gateacre, spoke of the impossibility of selling milk at 3d. per quart at the present time in the town unless it were mixed with water. He had no doubt the Rivington water was very useful. (Laughter). He expressed his intention to advance his price to 4d. per quart. Another speaker said he had always found it the best plan to sell good milk and have a sufficient price, and he thought the inhabitants of the town would co-operate in the movement for selling at 4d. per quart. It was also stated that there were 338 cowkeepers in the town, having 2160 cows. Ultimately a resolution was unanimously carried to the effect that the price of milk be raised to 4d. per quart on 16th October.
Last evening a meeting of Cowkeepers and dairymen was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, St Anne Street. There was a numerous attendance. The objects of the meeting were to consider the propriety of establishing an association for insurance against the loss of cows by disease or accident, and the regulation of the price of milk according to the current cost of provender, etc.
Mr Ducket, having been called to the chair, drew attention to the subjects to be discussed, and proceeded to read a number of rules for the guidance of a proposed association, to be denominated “The Liverpool Cowkeepers’ Association”, for the insurance of cowkeepers’ stock against disease or accident. The regulations included the payment of 5s. per head entrance fee and a subscription, and required that any person desirous of becoming a member should have his stock visited by a veterinary surgeon appointed by the society.
Mr Harris, in moving that the suggestions be adopted, said he was surprised such a movement had not been previously commenced, as it was much needed, especially when the extent of the present plague was considered. He referred to an association which had been established in Cheshire, and expressed his fear that they would be unable to make progress unless they had the assistance of men of finance. The motion having been seconded by Mr Bean, was carried.
It was suggested that two-thirds of the value of a cow be paid to the owner in the event of loss, instead of the full amount; but the rules having been passed, the chairman suggested that the subject might be considered at a future meeting.
The next subject was that of increasing the price of milk. Some conversation took place, during which Mr Harris adverted to the advanced price of cows and of provender, whilst milk remained at 3d. per quart. Mr Thomas Leech, of Gateacre, spoke of the impossibility of selling milk at 3d. per quart at the present time in the town unless it were mixed with water. He had no doubt the Rivington water was very useful. (Laughter). He expressed his intention to advance his price to 4d. per quart. Another speaker said he had always found it the best plan to sell good milk and have a sufficient price, and he thought the inhabitants of the town would co-operate in the movement for selling at 4d. per quart. It was also stated that there were 338 cowkeepers in the town, having 2160 cows. Ultimately a resolution was unanimously carried to the effect that the price of milk be raised to 4d. per quart on 16th October.
Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 29 September 1865
A meeting of the Liverpool cow-keepers and dairymen was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, St Anne Street yesterday evening, with the view to forming an association to insure the owners of cattle from losses by deaths among their stock through disease or accident; and also of forming branch association for regulating the price of milk according to the current prices of provender. The chair was taken by Mr. Duckett; Mr. Saunders was appointed vice-chairman.
The chairman read the rules proposed for the regulation of the association, which was to be called " The Liverpool Cowkeepers Association," the object of which was declared to be that all cow-keepers might insure their stock against disease or accident. The rules provided for the admission of members, the appointment of veterinary surgeons, and other officers. Previous to the admission of any member the veterinary surgeon was to inspect all cows in his or her possession, and report thereon to the association. An entrance fee of 5s was to be paid for each head of cattle, and a subscription of 1s per head per annum.
Mr. Harris, in proposing the adoption of the rules, expressed his approval of them, as well as his surprise that some such step that they were now considering had not been adopted long ago. With the plague that was now spreading through the country it was high time that they should take some measures for their protection. He hoped the gentlemen of Liverpool would come forward and give their aid to the undertaking. He was afraid that they would not get on well unless some influential gentlemen would take the matter in hand. Mr. Bowles seconded the motion, which was carried.
The Chairman said the next subject was the advance in the price of milk, and suggested that some gentleman should make a proposition with regard to it. After a pause, Mr. Harris said he was very much surprised that no one stepped forward. He was sure a good many felt it hard work to meet the times, considering the advance that had taken place in the price of cattle and provender. It was not many years ago that a good cow could be purchased for £10 or £12, whereas now only an inferior one could be had for £18 or £20. A few years ago he paid only 6½d to 8d for hay and now he paid a shilling or thirteen pennies for it.
Mr. Thomas Leech, of Gateacre, said he lived six miles out in the country. He was paying £8 an acre for his land; and whatever the Liverpool dairymen or cowkeepers did, he would raise his milk on Monday morning, for he could not sell at threepence a quart. He would not sell it under fourpence a quart, and the Liverpool men might do what they liked. He could purchase land and hay at a lower price than the Liverpool men, and he did not see how they could sell milk so low. They professed to sell milk, but they mixed it with half water (laughter), for they could not sell milk at such a price. If they sold milk they could not sell it so low, but they sold water, and the Rivington Pike water was very useful to those gentlemen (applause and laughter.) He would set an example on Monday morning, and whoever wanted milk should not get it from him under fourpence a quart.
Mr. Chapman said he had been a cow-keeper for ten or twelve years, and had raised his milk to fourpence a quart. He could afford to give milk without water at that price, and when he let his place he had some of the best customers in the town, and sold perhaps the greatest quantity of milk of any cowkeeper. He had always found it to be the best way to sell good milk and get good price for it. The Chairman said the resolution to be proposed was that the price of milk should be raised to fourpence per quart, to commence the 16th October.
Some discussion followed, it being suggested by several present that the town should be canvassed, as there was a very small proportion of the cowkeepers of Liverpool present, and it would not do for some to raise the price if others did not raise it also. The resolution was finally proposed, seconded, and carried. The proceedings terminated after the arrangement of some details.
A meeting of the Liverpool cow-keepers and dairymen was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, St Anne Street yesterday evening, with the view to forming an association to insure the owners of cattle from losses by deaths among their stock through disease or accident; and also of forming branch association for regulating the price of milk according to the current prices of provender. The chair was taken by Mr. Duckett; Mr. Saunders was appointed vice-chairman.
The chairman read the rules proposed for the regulation of the association, which was to be called " The Liverpool Cowkeepers Association," the object of which was declared to be that all cow-keepers might insure their stock against disease or accident. The rules provided for the admission of members, the appointment of veterinary surgeons, and other officers. Previous to the admission of any member the veterinary surgeon was to inspect all cows in his or her possession, and report thereon to the association. An entrance fee of 5s was to be paid for each head of cattle, and a subscription of 1s per head per annum.
Mr. Harris, in proposing the adoption of the rules, expressed his approval of them, as well as his surprise that some such step that they were now considering had not been adopted long ago. With the plague that was now spreading through the country it was high time that they should take some measures for their protection. He hoped the gentlemen of Liverpool would come forward and give their aid to the undertaking. He was afraid that they would not get on well unless some influential gentlemen would take the matter in hand. Mr. Bowles seconded the motion, which was carried.
The Chairman said the next subject was the advance in the price of milk, and suggested that some gentleman should make a proposition with regard to it. After a pause, Mr. Harris said he was very much surprised that no one stepped forward. He was sure a good many felt it hard work to meet the times, considering the advance that had taken place in the price of cattle and provender. It was not many years ago that a good cow could be purchased for £10 or £12, whereas now only an inferior one could be had for £18 or £20. A few years ago he paid only 6½d to 8d for hay and now he paid a shilling or thirteen pennies for it.
Mr. Thomas Leech, of Gateacre, said he lived six miles out in the country. He was paying £8 an acre for his land; and whatever the Liverpool dairymen or cowkeepers did, he would raise his milk on Monday morning, for he could not sell at threepence a quart. He would not sell it under fourpence a quart, and the Liverpool men might do what they liked. He could purchase land and hay at a lower price than the Liverpool men, and he did not see how they could sell milk so low. They professed to sell milk, but they mixed it with half water (laughter), for they could not sell milk at such a price. If they sold milk they could not sell it so low, but they sold water, and the Rivington Pike water was very useful to those gentlemen (applause and laughter.) He would set an example on Monday morning, and whoever wanted milk should not get it from him under fourpence a quart.
Mr. Chapman said he had been a cow-keeper for ten or twelve years, and had raised his milk to fourpence a quart. He could afford to give milk without water at that price, and when he let his place he had some of the best customers in the town, and sold perhaps the greatest quantity of milk of any cowkeeper. He had always found it to be the best way to sell good milk and get good price for it. The Chairman said the resolution to be proposed was that the price of milk should be raised to fourpence per quart, to commence the 16th October.
Some discussion followed, it being suggested by several present that the town should be canvassed, as there was a very small proportion of the cowkeepers of Liverpool present, and it would not do for some to raise the price if others did not raise it also. The resolution was finally proposed, seconded, and carried. The proceedings terminated after the arrangement of some details.