CHEESE V. BUTTER.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 526, 5 June 1909, Page 8

CHEESE V. BUTTER.

PROFITS COMPARED. A BTJNNYTHOBPB MEETING. Shareholders of the Bunnythorpe Cooperative Dairy Company, on "Wednesday, at a meeting attended by about 40, discussed a proposal to erect' a cheese factory at liunnythorpo. Mr. J. B. Robertson (chairman of directors) presided. .■'.■'. ' A report of the secretary and chairman on a visit to the leading cheeso factories in the Wellingtonprovince, was read, showing the cost of erection, maintenance, and manufacture; and methods of working. , The chairman said his private opinion was, after going round to' tho factories, that cljeese at present was between 3d. and Id. per lb. better'than butter. For a cheeso factory they would need two vats at Aorangi, and a five-vat factory at Bunnythorpe'. There would be no curing or storing at the small factory, all that being done in the main , factory.. The awards stated that reasonable house accommodation had to be provided for managers, and a houso would have to bo built at Aorangi. '. ■\ Tho secretary (Mr. Wliitfaker) said the .Norsewood-factory cost over £1900. As far as he ; could mako' out/ tho factory would cost about £100 a vat to fit up, besides tho buildings. ' .•'■•■■■'■'' Mr. Holland asked if the extra cost of fitting up tho -factory and employment of la>bour would not; more than counterbalance tho extra price received for cheeso. . . Tlio . secretary said the prospects for the next year at least were in favour, of cheeso. Mr. Argyle said whey was not,-, perhaps, as good as skim milk for calves and pigs, but it was nevertheless splendid stuff to feed young stock on. He was very much in favour of: making cheeso; and was willing to take his share of tho responsibility.

-Mf.'',Gallichan said that if cheeso had been mado in the, factory since its inception, thoro would now have been £2000 or! £3000 more in the company's exchequer. Mr. Buchanan said that, counting what ho made' out of his pigs, .he was making 13d. a lb. on his buttor-fat. He was quite satisfied with that, and thought they should stick to butter. Ho felt sure 'that cheese would not keep up. '...■■■ •Mr. Mildon reckoned they could make 13d. out of cheese:without tho aid of tho pigs. Mr. Rowlings considered'that, they should what'paid, provided '■' thoy. could finance it.' ■.'.'.- , ..,.:...

The following motion was eventually moved ■by-'Mr. A. E. Moon, and seconded by Mr.. White, "That it bo a recommendation to tho Board of.Directors that a cheese factory, be erected .in' Bunnythorpe,., provided the: suppliers agree to finance the same." Tho proposal was-carried by 16 votes to 12. It was further decided to take a poll of all th« shareholders on. the question. ;