DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 11 August 1928, Page 6

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

KAKARAMEA COMPANY’S ANNUAL MEETING.

REVIEW OF THE YEAR

There was an attendance of 25 suppliers at the annual meeting of the Kakaramea Dairy Company, held yesterday, Mr. A. Pearce, chairman of directors, presiding. In his review of the past season, made in moving the adoption of the annual report (already published) and statement of accounts, the chairman said the suppliers must congratulate themselves on a very successful season. The British coal strike, which lasted for nine months, had been very upsetting, affecting the purchasj [)cr" power of the people who eat New Zealand cheese. But it was settled satisfactorily. The main question, he said, so far us a dairy factory was concerned, was the pay-out, and this } ra d resulted in Is 6d for home-sepa-rated cream- and Is Sd for cheese, with f-d- or perhaps a little more to come. The present season looked like being better than last, the offers o-oino- round being at least Id per lb above those made at the same timelast season. The directors had had an anxious time last year for a good few months. The first offer made was gd but t-he-v held off and the nibbling went on. and then when prices reached S|d thev sold for the first part of the season and later at 83d for the balance. This had enabled a pay-out of Is Bd, and in addition there would be about 3d more to come. THE PROSPECTS.

Canadian production was down considerably, while the U.S.A. were takin<r more milk and cream despite a duty of 6d per lb. Supplies in’ store at home were considerably less than last- year at this time, while the pnrchasinv oower of the people had m,,roved. Last year the consigning faccories received more than the selleis, securing over 9d per lb f.0.b.. ensurincr a . fine pay-out. The company liad considered vacuum containers and waxing, and had decided m favour of the latter. The step taken by the board would make a saving of at least 1'- per cent shrinkage. Under ordinal- v conditions 24 per cent was allowed in the journey to the Home maiket It was estimated that the cheese would fetch more. A thousand pounds of wax was used for every 100 tons of cheese, and it ensured the best- quality when it reached Home. The great question suppliers would be looking to this season would be supply, and this promised very wed indeed. During the year the factory had been re-roofed at a. cost ot £3OO, and it was necessary expense- because the roof was leaking badly. Everything else was working excellently. The cost of new roofing would oe spread over two years, Air F S- Tarrant seconded the motion, ' congratulating the company on the results of the season and the manager and staff on then- good work. Through this the cost of manufacture had been exceedingly low —to the factorv door 23-d and to f.o.b, 3 5 d—which would compare favourably wrtn anv companv in New Zealand. He gave them great credit for excellent work done. . ‘ - ~ There was no discussion, and tne motion was carried. QUESTIONS.

In reference to a suggestion by Mr. J. Watt, the chairman said the hoard had already resolved to plant trees round the factory in the gully. Exchange was reduced, said the chairman, because of the f.o.b. sale-. A penalty for adding water to milk was suggested by a. supplier, and this brought the remark “put the offender in gaol.” The chairman -said they could not make good cheese out of the water tanks. A suggestion was made, too, that suppliers take only their fair share of whey, suul a cynic said they needed -‘a- man to mind the tank.” Mr. Watt said they should leave the question of dealing with the suppliers- to the -manager, after analysis at the laboratory, and the suggestion was approved that such returns* should be posted .up at the factory. Milk shown" by bacteria test to lie dirty should also be -posted, said another supplier. Tt was stated hv the- manager that in the milking machines a. little water would come in, but it was only deliberate cases- they wished to penalise.

The chairman informed the meeting, when the question of a- bonus to the manager was suggested, that the directors had raised his salary during the year by £SO. DIRECTORS. Messrs. J. T. Dwyer and K. Carmichael were elected directors*, the former being a- sitting member. Mr. J. D. Fail-weather, the- other sitting member, and Mr. W. Saunders were also nominated. Mr. Dwyer thanked suppliers for his re-election, stating that lie liad done his best for the company, a-s he had done for the past 12 years, and would do the same in the future. Mr. Carmichael also returned thanks for election. While the other candidates thanked those who voted for them. GENERAL. Mr. J. D. G. Thomson was reappointed auditor at the same remuneration. The chairman was voted the usual honorarium, and the directors the same expenses per meeting. At the. first meeting of the new hoard of directors, Mr. A. Pearce was unanimously re-elected to the position of chairman.