ARARATA DAIRY COMPANY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 3 August 1917, Page 4

ARARATA DAIRY COMPANY.

ANNUA LMEETING

The annual meeting of shareholders-, ot the Ararata Dairy Company was held on Tnursday. There was a gwd attendance, and Mr T. A. Winks, chairman of directors, presided. The directors, in their eighth annual report, stated inter alia: On January 16th, the Government completed negotiations for the whole output of cheese at 9|d f.0.b., Wellington. Prior to that date, we had shipped seven consignments, totalling 865 crates, to MessrsLoveli and Christmas, London, and this cheese was commandeered by the Government on its arrival in London, at a price not yet decided on. Estimating it at the same price as the cheese soic to the Government in New Zealand the surpluses will allow us to pay out Is 8 l-3d per lb butter-fat for the season— this after writing off depreciation and providing 6 pc rcent. interest on paidup shares. The company wishes toplace on record its regret at the death of Mr j. A. Turton, secdetaiy of the company since its inception. Mi* P. A. Lundberg has been re-engaged as manager for the coming season. The following statistics were attached to the report:—Pounds of milk received, 4,823,705; pounds of butter-fat,. 185,580; cheese made ('209 tons 6 cwt 31bs) 468,8351b5; butter made (starter,, whey and creamery) lG,oß4lbs; poundsof milk to lib cheese, 10.00; pounds of cheese from lib butter-fat, 2.60; average ,test, 3.84 per cent.; cost per lb of cheese f.o.b. (including depreciation) I.oßd. '

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet,, referred to the negotiations in connection with "the disposal of last year's output, which was finally purchased by theImperial Governments. If the company could obtain the same price for its produce as that secured by Canada, it would probably be able to pay out 'another 2d extended over the whole season. He touched on the butiten-fat levy,, which he criticised as a stupid class tax which should "be abolished, and re-" f.erred to a conference held s,t Wellington last week with reference to the coming season's output. He feelingly referred to the death" of the cnn-pany'V secretary, and paid a tribute to the excellent service rendered cy the p-.esent-secretary (Miss Ij.-amish) and "he manager (Mr Lundberg) during the year. The balance-sheet showed the company to be in a satisfactory position. Me G. Hurrell seconded the resolution, which wae carried without discussion.

The retiring directors Messrs T. A. Winks, J. Barkla, and F. Willan, were re-elected unopposed. The directors' remuneration was fixed, at 10s per meeting. Mr C. E. Gibson did not seek re-elec-tion as auditor, and Ms G. H. Holder was appointed to the position. Mr Barkla brought up the question; of the company taking up shares in the New Zealand Farmers' (CoY-operative Bacon Company, and after a shorb discussion it was decided to ask Mr Powdrell, a director of the oempany, to address tho shareholders.

After hearing Mr Powdrell, theshareholders resolved, on a show of hands, to take up shares in the bacon, company.

The question of suppliers taking mor«whey than they were entitled to cropped up, and it was agreed to appointa. man to weigh out the whey, to each, individual supplier. A vote of thanks to the chairman ancE directors concluded the meeting.