MEETING OF FARMERS AT ROCKVILLE.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume 2, Issue 3, 17 June 1892, Page 5

MEETING OF FARMERS AT ROCKVILLE.

The Dairy Factory Question. A meeting to discuss the above question was held in the Rockville Schoolroom on Tuesday evening. Some 30 or 40 people, including several ladies, were present. Mr W. Grant was voted to the chair. A considerable discussion took place as to how the meeting should proceed with the business before-it. Mr J. Lash proposed, “ That a butter factory be established in the district.” Mr Shaw seconded. Mr-John Skilton, speaking to the motion, said there was not a sufficient number of cows in tbe place, not enough feed and not room for a factory. No one in the 'district he said, except, perhaps, Mr Clear .had enough grass for the cattle they kept now. Mr J. Lash disagreed. He had for 4 months in last summer made £l6 per month from his butter, and he was sure that if he could, get .anything like 3d per gallon for liis milk he could double his return from his cows. A warm discussion then eventuated between Messrs Lash and Skilton, amid cries of “ Shut lip';” and “ Chuck him cut.” Mi* Woodfield thought unless the meettog Was conducted properly they,might

as well break up and go home. He would like Mr Sldlton to finish his remarks. Mr Lash interrupted. The Chairman said Mr Lash must permit the business to go on without so much interruption if he wished him (Mr Grant) to remain in the chair. Mr G. H. Allan was then asked to read a papei* on the subject. Mr John Skilton said he would be glad to hear it, but would sooner hear a prao ■ tical man on the subject. Mr Allan, after a few preliminary remarks, read a paper containing a great amount of general information about the establishment of factories, which, he said had been gathered from reliable sources. His paper also contained figures and estimates which went to show that there was ample encouragement to the farmers in the district to start a factory. At the conclusion he read correspondence he had had with Secretaries of Dairy Associations at Dunedin and Auckland. Mr John Skilton criticised Mr Allan’s paper at some length, contending that many of the statements contained therein were inaccurate and misleading. Ho believed that no money could he made out of a factory, and advocated a packing factory, which would he the means of keeping the money amongst themselves. Mr Allan replied, contending that Mr Skilton was not well informed on the subj ect, and maintaining that his figures and statements were right. Mr Cederman did not think the packing factory was any bettor than they had at present, as they could only get a second class price for the butter. If they were going to have any alteration let them start a first class concern.

Mr Skilton said he did not wish anyone to think he was against a factory being established, but bo still was convinced it would not pay.

Mr Moynihan said it appeared that Mr Skilton had come there to be an obstacle to the object of the meeting. Mr G. Riley was of opinion that if a factory were started, in six months the number of cows would be doubled. No inducement was now offered to people to keep feed for cows. Mr T. Miles said he Could keep 30 cows at present. Mr Woodfield proposed, “ That the thanks of the meeting are due to Mr G. H. Allan, for the information he had supplied and the trouble he had taken to prepare his paper.” —Mr Moynihan seconded. Carried.

On the suggestion of Mr Woodfield, a list of persons who could supply milk, and the number of oovvs eaoli could keep, was compiled. Some 28 farmers aggregated 370 cows. Mr Woodfield proposed that all present be asked to express, by a show of hands, an opinion on the factory question. Mr Irons seconded.—ln favour of a factory being established, 15 voted; against, 0. After some further discussion,

Mr J. Lash proposed, “ That a committee be formed from this meeting to canvass for milk suppliers and shares ; and to report at another meeting to he held three weeks hence.” Mr Woodfield seconded. Carried unanimously. The following were appointed' as the Committee :—Messrs Grant, G. H. Allan. G. Riley, Woodfield, J. Lash, S. Lash, Irons, McNabb, Bridger, Schwartfager, Brewer, Moynihan, C; Jeffries, Moore, Mrs Snow,'.Miss Snow, Miss'Lash. - ►

Mr Irons proposed a vote ol thanks to the ladies and the Chairman, atid the meeting adjourned.