NORMANBY DAIRY CO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 3 August 1925, Page 9

NORMANBY DAIRY CO.

ANNUAL MEEOINGS

There was a large attendance of suppliers at' the annual meeting of the Normianhy factory to-day, held in the Town Hall, Mr. R. J. Rallantine (chairman of directors) presiding. About sixty were present. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, already published, the chairman congratulated shareholders on the success of the year’s working, which constituted a record for production. The output for the year was 720 tons of cheese, which represented an increase of 40 tons, and it was -satisfactory to note that the average of fat per cow had also increased. In order to enable the manager and staff to better deal with the increased supply the ddireetoiis decided to add another room as a curing room and to use the old room -as a making room. There had also been added a concrete water tank and benzine shed, ancl these were proving a great convenience. For the erection of these the builder deserved great credit. Since the raising of the minimum points for first grade of cheese-, there has been a- isliight increase in th@ amount of second grade manufacture, Out the factory still compared more than favourably with other factories. The number of crates of second grade cheese made was 394 out of a total of 9805, about three per cent. The purchase of cheese crates from a source other than the Eg moot Company had resulted in a saving of over £BO for the year. The widening of Austin Road to 18 feet from the corner to factory had been carried out in conjunction with Hjaweuiai County Council, which would provide the metal. The earth removed had been used lor filling in the site of the new during room. Referring to the Federation of Dia-iry Companies in South Taranaki, lie -said they had adopted a -standardised balance-sheet and uniform art-icle-s of association, and had been! successful in securing the assistance of the Government in establishing a laboratory in Haivera. This would be of great assistance to managers in overcoming many problems facing those occupied in the manufacture of dairy produce. In regard to dairy control, lie isladd all would be aware that the board would take full control from August, 1926, that it had already effected large savings in freights and marine insurance, and that the saving in insurance would practically -pay the Control Board levy. Dealing with the lhalance-slieet, he said that manufacturing charges were a little! less than last year, worked opt at per pound of butter-fat, although some of the individual items might appear a little larger. This, however, was only in keeping with the increased output. The manager was to. be congratulated on his low manufacturing cost.

liv conclusion, he expressed appreciation of the ‘services rendered the diveotors, manager and .staff. In connection with second gnaide manufacture, he added that mp&t of this was made in January, just after the minimum figure was altered. It was, however, actually under three percent. The cost of manufacture was under .‘lid, and lie had not found the manlaiger who could manufacture more cheaply than Nomianhy could. There were 1475 orates in store at the time pf closing the accounts, arid these were taken in at 955-, but the market price was much above that figure, and therefore there would be more to come which would bring the return probably up to SJd per lb of fat. In regard to total charges to f.0.b., he s'aid that last yciti] J it was 3.55 d as against 3.49(1 this year.

A hearty vote of thanks was pasesd unanimously to the manager and staff for their good work, Seyera l members spoke in confirmation, and said that the low cost of manufacture and good pav-out proved the value of the work of the staff. The chairman added that lie was pleased to state that they had gecured 111- Hopcroft’s services for two years more.

Mr Hoperoft, briefly acknowledging the compliment, said there was no doubt in his mind they had an excel lent staff of men, and all had given their very best for the company. He could.assure suppliers he would always do his utmost to forward the interests -f the company. A cordial expression of appreciation yas also made of the good work of the secretary and Iris staff. In Mr Salmon, said the chairman, Normality factory iad a man whom lie considered was one n a thousand. A vote of thanks was, on the motion of Mr If. H. Clement, passed to the outgoing directors, who, he said, had lone great work. They would compare erv favourably with any board in the ■ t, and had put in a lot of extra time and work. AUDITORS. Messr s H. A. Lennon and W. J. Prifstrain were re-appointed at the same "co as before. INTEREST ON SHARES. It was decided to pay interest at the •pte pf 4 per pent, on shares in the pmpany. A vote of thanks to the chairman and o the Press concluded the meeting. . At a subsequent meeting of directors, R. j. Ballantine was re-elected ?b airpian. Referring to the foundation of the federation, the Chairman added that the .standardised balance-sheet had been .adopted, and all figures had been on the liner* of this standardised ■statement, so that it was very easy to compare with other factories. Turning

to the profit and loss statement, he said that salaries and wages had increased, but these now included the Secretary’s salary, which formerly was put in the appropriation account. In reply to' Air. Hughes, who asked for details of stamps, telephone and telegrams, the secretary said that telephone charges were £2l 4s Id, the. amount being heavy because of the distance of Nonnanlby from an exchange. The amount also included stamps for cheque books, which was fairly high. A supplier; “They don’t begrudge that twopence I” In reply to Air. dement, the .secretary said that charges after f.o.b. worked out at .about 4.4 per, lb of fat, a total of 7.8 d.

The motion to adopt the report and accounts was carried.

SHIPPING PRODUCE

In reply to Mr. Laurent, the chairman said there was not likely to be any extra cost for shipping through Pa-tea..

The .secretary said the charges f.o.b. Paten were the same as f.o.b. Wellingand,there would be no alteration until the present arrangement expired, in about three yeans’ time. About one-third of South Taranaki shipments went through Wanganui and the companies paid the cost of railage. Air. H. Hughes said lie considered the'time was ripe for all the companies in South Taranaki to get together and ship via New Plymouth. By lumping all the consignments! together they would make a. big saving in handling. He had l no doubt, lie added, that given sufficient inducement, the direct liners would call regularly at New Plymouth, and possibly when the Control Board took charge it would put into operation some such scheme.

Air. Atkins .said he was of opinion the suggestion was not feasible. If they Used New Plymouth the companies would have to build storage accommodation, and lie did not think they could hold produce until steamers were ready to take it. They therefore had no option but to deal with cool .storage companies. The secretary said that, so far as cool storage was concerned, under the present agreement, produce had to be. put on hoard at a fixed temperature, and at the present time the Control Board was installing theimograplis, which .automatically registered the temperature during the voyage to the Home market. The chairman said not doubt the board would consider the question, and that its policy would be probably to centralise shipping from the four or five main port’s. THE SALE OF OUTPUT. Mr. F. Atkins made a suggestion that the matter of the disposal of the ; , ' ' ,e ■' :

whole .season’s output be pu.t. before the meeting to find its feeling on, the question. Hie added that possibly suppliers might wish a reconsideration, of the whole position with a view to consigning the produce. The chairman said, the board had sold the whole output at Ifd per lb f.o.b. Personally, he said, he fiiyr&ys favoured consigning, but the offer made was too good to pass. The price realised would allow a pay-out of. nearly Is lGd. Air. Atkins skid that he was influenced in advising a .selling policy because the whole season would, be cleaned up when the Control Board, took charge, and there was a possibility, if they consigned, of clashing with the Control Board.

Air Riddle expressed himself as much in favour of selling, and approved the action of the directox-s.

The chairman said that agents were just as pleased to take the output on consignment as to buy, and if any suppliers were dissatisfied they could request the agents to take the prodjxce on consignment. The agents taking the output were Alessrs H. A. Lane and Co., Ltd. -• Oix the motion of the chairman, appreciation was expressed of the services of Alessrs Lovell and Christmas, who had liandlqpl the Nbrmanby output for some years. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Alessrs R. J. Ballantine and G. W. Gane were re-elected as directors. Both gentlemen briefly returned thanks, and said they would, as in the past, do their best for the company. HONORABIUAI. It was resolved that the chairman’s honorarium and directors’ fees be the same as last year.