THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 6 August 1926, Page 8

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

ARARATA DAIRY COMPANY

ANNUAL MEETING

The seventeenth annual meeting of shareholders of the Ararata Dairy Company was held 1 at the office of the ■secretary, Mr A. K. Fyson, yesterday, when the chairman of directors, Mr I'. A. Winks, presided over a good attendance. THE CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. In moving the adoption of the annual report (published on July 23) and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the supply bad fallen somewhat owing to the late spring, 14,1861 b less of but-ter-fat having been supplied than during -the previous sea-son. The price obtained for the cheese product had been good, the whole output having been .“old to Messrs H. A. Lane .and Co. at 9Ad, per lb, enabling the company to make a payment of Is: 81 d over all the .season. Further bacteria, trouble had been experienced, but since: the establishment of the dairy laboratory the scientist, Mr P. 0. Veale, had been able to locate the trouble, and although lie had not yet succeeded 1 in definitely preventing it, it .was. now possible to hold it in' check. Directly due to this, over 700 of some 4091 crates of cheese were exported 1 a® second grade. There was not only this loss, hut considerable expense was caused through the stripping up of the concrete and alterations in whey tanks and the installation of a special drainage system, but the; company had the satisfaction of knowing that as. far a® it was possible to prevent, there were no breeding grounds near the factory for the troublesome bacteria.

At the beginning of the season it had been decided not to, make butter, as the small amount of cream available would not warrant the expense of but-ter-making. A • highly satisfactory arrangement had been' made with the Hawera Dairy Co. whereby thei cream was supplied to its butter factory, and a satisfactory price had been obtained. Dealing with the Dairy Control Bill, Mr Winks .said, although it was not easy to prophesy as to the success or otherwise of the scheme, he was inclined to think that, if carefully handled, it would prove of considerable advantage and benefit to the farmers. He understood that the Bill had passed the second reading by a, large majority. which went to show that the general antagonism had come from a minor portion of the community. The system of the marketing of superfine products was dealt with. He approved of the action of the Federation of Co-operative Dairy Factories of South Taranaki in opposing the scheme.

Of late years there had been noticed a vast improvement in the quality of cheese. In the past milk had* often been delivered to the factory ini a! bad state, but by the* use* of pasteurisers it had been possible to keep* bacteria, in check. The quality of the milk had improved considerably, and it appeared that this was directly due to the* efforts and advice of the farm instructors. FARM INSPECTORS.

The system of appointment of farm inspectors' was well under way, and the group system appeared to .be* meeting with satisfaction. It was unfortunate that some of the larger factories in the district had refused to join, in a group. In their own case the company was* too small to employ its own inspector, and a group system would certainly obviate this* difficulty. It was not po*ssible for a factory manager, however capable, to turn out a' good article unless* the milk was received in first-class condition. Quite a number of suppliers brought their milk to the factory in a bad state, generally through lack of advice, but- the appointment of a. group inspector should result in better production. The* Pa tea Freezing Co.. Ltd., was inaugurating, in conjunction with the dairy companies, a new scheme for the purchase of dav-old calves for t-lie export of the carcases to the Continental markets. This market could take a very large supply, and the Freezing Company offered l 5s for large calves and 3s for small. The arrangement was that farmers would deliver the animals at the factory, where the manager would grade them and supervise the trucking to the* works. This was an industry with considerable possibilities, and) it* was suggested that the shareholders should support the scheme. Tile directors had decided this year not to pay interest om paid-up capital as had been doive in the* past. It wa.s proposed that, in lien of paying interest, a certain amount of money’ should he set. aside for a building fund. If it was found impossible to eradicate the bacteria which bad been causing so much trouble, it would become necessary to rebuild, and before money could! be borrowed for this purpose it would 1 be necessary to produce in cash one-quarter of the amount required. Mr Foy had been appointed manager during the year, and had achieved excellent results, considering the* bacteria trouble with which he had had to contend. It was a matter of congratulation that the company had been able to secure his services. The general financial position was sound, and should the company at any time be wound up a dividend to shareholders was certain.

Mr T. Wilson seconded the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which was carried. The auditors, Messrs H. A. Lennon and W. J. Tristram, reported that the