CHEESE FACTORY FOR TE MATA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1899, Page 3

CHEESE FACTORY FOR TE MATA.

RAGLAN, Thursday.

A meeting of settlers interested in the starting. of a dairy factory was held at Te Mata on the 12th inst. Mr W. M. Bankart was voted to the chair. The chairman, after stating the object of the meeting, introduced. Mr. Spragg of the New Zealand Dairy.Association, who addressed the meeting. Mr Spragg in the course of his remarks said that from what he had seen of the district he believed the land was suitable for dairying, but in addition to suitable land suitable cows were required. He considered that owing to the isolated position of the district, the irregular means of communication, and the small steamers employed, that the manufacture of butter was not feasible, ■ but a cheese, factory might be started, as cheese can be kept for some,time, is more easily transported, and does not require refrigeration. He also considered the country suitable for cheese. Mr Spragg therefore recommended that for a start one cheese factory be started in whatever part of the district most, likely to supply the greatest number of cows. He also suggested that by a little cooperation in the matter of carrying, the milk might be brought from a distance of seven or eight miles. Mr Spragg here impressed upon the meeting that he was not at all anxious to extend his business in this direction, and would just as soon that the people decided not to have anything more to do with him. However, he would make them an offer. If 400 cows were guaranteed, he was prepared to erect a factory and run it, and pay 2|d per gallon for the milk for the first year, the season to be from September to May inclusive. •

After a number of questions h.ad been asked and answered, it was proposed and carried unanimously ' that Mr Spragg be- asked to start a cheese factory at Te Mata on the terms proposed by him.' A representative committee was appointed to canvass the district and get the necessary guarantees. Votes of thanks to Mr Spragg and the chairman brought the meeting to a close.