THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY. TARATAHI DAIRY COMPANY.

[OUU OWN* COIUIESFOKDEKT.] CARTERTON, 21st August. The annual inciting of t lie Taititahi Dairy Company was held yesterday, Mr. W. ITibher, Chairman of Directors, presiding. In moving $ho adoption of the report (which has alieady appeared in these columns) and balance- bheet, the Chairman congratulated shareholders on a successful year. He refericd to the past few years of the Company's business to .«how tho steady progress they were making. He said the largest supply ot miik ever received at the factory was in the season 1895-1896, viz., 299,811 gulWs, for which the suppliers received £3252. At this time it was decided to- buy out the shareholders residing *i the Belvedere district, and give them an opportunity for starting a separate company in their own district, which they wore desirous of doing, o\\ ing to the long distance they had to caifc milk to Taratahi. The next, year the milk fell off in consequence to tho extent of 100,000 gallons, but tho lost ground was being gradually regained, the supply for the past season reaching 223,484 gallons. In the year ending July, 1896, they were paying for milk by "the gallon of 10£lb weight, and the sum divided 'amongst suppliers that year was £3252. This year, with an intake of 76,000 gallons less of milk than in 1896, they were paying suppliers £3841. This increase was not solely due to the higher price obtained for cheese, but partly to the improved quality 'of milk, whein was now paid for by its butterfat value. The change had induced farmers to keep a" better class of cows, and also to send the whole milk to the factory. In the year 1896, under the old system it took 10.071b of milk to make one pound) of cheese, whilst this year jt tppk but 9.741b, an argument strongly in -favour of the Babcock test. The year ending 1896 was one of the worst in the history of the cheese trade during the past ten years. The total output on that occasion only realised £4250. This year with 32 tons less in quantity the sales reached ■51684, in round numbers. The average price paid suppliers last season was lO^d per ib of butter-fat, nearly £50 had been written off plant account for depreciation, and 8 per cent-, had been s.et aside for dividepd on paid-up capital. The motion was adopted. / Messrs. J. Monaghan and T. Reid were elected Directors, and Mr. C. H. Connack was re-elected auditor. It was resolved to open the new season on Monday, 3rd September. At the Directors' meeting afterwards held, Mr. W. Fisher was re-elected Chairman. THE LEVIN FACTORY. The first annual report of the Directors of the Levin Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited;, for the ten months ending 3lst July, states that the result. o.f tho ten month?' woiking leaves £334, 8s 9d to credit, which will be considered most satisfactory. Out of this sum the Directors recommend the writing off the amount of £100 7s lid, preliminary expenses incurred in starting the Compnny ; a sum of £52 7s, to 5 per cent, depreciation on plant, machinery, buildings, etc. ; a dividend of 6 per cent, on calledup capital, absoibiug £19 16s 3d ; a bonus to suppliers of 6d' per share per month's supply, and the carrying forward of the balance to next year's operations. The average tes,t for the ten months was 4.1. The Company manufactured 52£ tons butter since operations were commenced. The Lake Brand Butter made at the factory has been of excellent quality, and has been satisfactorily reported on by the London agents and ' tho Government Grader. The best thanks of the Company are due to the manager (Mr. J. Aim) for turning out such a good article. The uniform price of B^d per lb of butter-fat was paid during the whole ten months, and the bonus now proposed to be distributed will bring the amount paid to suppliers per lb of bufcter-fat •up to B£d. The retiring directors, Messrs. S. A. Broadbelt and R. Davies, offer themselves for re-election. The Auditor, Mr. G. M. Snelson also seeks re-election. In response t& the request of shareholders in the outlying districts, and in conse'nence of tlie promise of support, it has been decided to extend operations to Ohau and K.erem, and the Directors have resolved to erect a creamery on the Arapaepae-road, and have purchased the property of the New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union at Ohau. Improvements at the main factory are also contemplated, the installation of a refrigerator being a very necessary work.