DAIRY COMPANIES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 28 July 1925, Page 5

DAIRY COMPANIES.

STRATFORD CO-OP

ANNUAL MEETING

There was a good attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Stratford Co-op. Company on Monday, over whioh Mr. C. A. Lehmann (chairman of directors) presided. In reviewing the work of the season —the annual report was published on July 23 —the chairman said there was an increase in total butter-fat received of 179.279 lbs, equal to 5.6 per cent. He stated that the levy made on the company by the Control Board totalled £6BB, and that the board would take over marine insurance this year, and after twelve months to take control of all manufactured produce. He believed the board would have influence in getting away shipments at regulai intervals'.

In regard to shares allotted on the basks of butter-fat supplied, the chairman, siadd that shareholders had to take up one share for every 701bsi of fat, hub that as further* capital was not required at present, the allotment would he made later.

In regard to butter boxes, he .said h 3 understood that the Egmont Box Co. intended to reduce the cost of butter'-boxes and cheese crates by 3d each, and that the company intended to try out a. shipment of Swedish timber to see if it could manufacture more cheaply. These isuipplies would he distributed to factories in proportion to output.

QUALITY O'F BUTTER

He isaid that it was imperative that the quality of the butter should be improved. Their butter last year was graded at 91, but he wanted to see the grade increased to 93. They had uone it before and could do it- again. Lf good milk was delivered the start could make the highest quality butter, but if poor milk was delivered it would be rejected. But the company wanted all the milk, and lie hoped that none would he rejected. The pay-out for butter for the past season was IS.lid on the average. - At least Is 7d would be piaid out for cheese, but lie could not isuggest how much more would be ‘ available . from, cheese still unsold. FXEOTRITa POWER. Dealing with the cost of using viecicriciity, .some discussion tools piace. Mr. JtLanoocuc taanu a saving of toil a uay was inane at Oarcllit Dy the use '.L electricity. 'the boner count not ud none ' away with altogether, bui ,jme operations could be. done by ..■-eotiieity.

air. Jemiesom thought that if some . hidings ia; day could be .saved by the .is© of electricity it was t-iio duty ol ..he directors- tot have it used. -Mr. \V. H. Were said figures sup-.n-ied to the Power Board shewed that .11 cheese branches a saving of 24 pei ent. in fuel could be made by the use if electricity. Whatever it was cleared to run by electricity the Power .Joa-rcl would undeutake to run. Mr. J. Richards said that if on investigation it was found that eleenudity was eeonomiiciail the majority ol die directors, including the chairman, .vould vote for it. They must move with the times. It might even be possible to heat water by electricity. Under the iscal.e of charges, power for heating could be got for next to nothing. f

The chairman said that perhaps a time would come when electricity would be cheapest. Inglewood factory used electricity for churning, but the cost was found to be greater than fuel. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following directors were elected for the ensuing year: Messrs. C. A. Lehmann. M. G. Trotter and W. H. Were. Mr. T.. H. Penn was re-elected auditor. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the chairman, the secretary, the management, the outgoing officers and the press. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr. 0. A, Lehmann wa*s re-elected chairman.