DAIRY FACTORY MANAGERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, Issue XLIV, 29 February 1924, Page 5

DAIRY FACTORY MANAGERS.

TARANAKI CONFERENCE/ V

The annual. meeting of the Taranaki Association waa held, at Patea yesterday, there being between thirty and forty present from all parts of Taialuiki. The morning was spent at the grading works, where a number'"of samples of cheese, coloured and white, fiom various factories were examined, and much interesting comparison made Tfte i samples proved that although most were rather loose in texture, tney wore excellent in quality, and showed that the outpat generally was of Ligh standard. .. T - After this was concluded, the company adjourned to the Central Hotel tor lunch, Mr A. P. Neilson presiding over the gathering, and afterwards, a short toast list was honoured. The Mayor of Patea, on behalf of the townspeople, offered a cordial welcome, to Patea. He was sorry that these gatherings did. not occur oftener, so as to let the representatives of the primary industry meet the users xsf the product of the soil and mingle in social intercourse with benefit and advantage to both. He said he was sure the result would be good and lead- to a better understanding between them. The chairman first acknowledged the cordial greeting given by the Mayor, and said he hoped they would again meet in Patea at some future date. He apologised for the tmavoiaable ab-' sence of Mr Singleton and Mr G»Tiiim; who were prevented by pressure of official business from being present, and for that of Mr Hall, their president, who he felt sure was with, them in spirit at this meeting. The chairman then , proposed "The Dairy Division," whose representatives they were glad to meet in conference. He said he was glad to see so large an attendance of managers present. He eulogised the good work done by the divisional staff at Patea in their grad-' ing, allotting of points and- other -work of great value to dairy factory managers. He (referred again to the need of more bacteriological research, facilities for the district. He. eaid he was sorry to find the Department apathetic, thenaM cry of finance being given as a reason for not doing anything more. He said, however, that it was-a-most important matter and should be carried out. He instanced several troubles, such as slimy milk ar.d non-acid milk, which could have been dealt with here had they had the necessary equipment. Now he believed the only solution would be be for the directors of companies to take it up and get to work independently of the Department. It was a question that the leading managers should take up with the companies. In conclusion, he welcomed the new members of the grading staff, and repeated the satisfaction all managers felt with the; work done r.t Patea.

In replying to the toast, Mr EC. Woods regretted the absence of the director and assistant director of the division, and congratulated the association on the presence of managers who belonged to the district and also those who were in the North and did not use Patea. He hoped that managers would endeavour to arrange,, for their assistants to come down and see the works, for he was convinced it would be a benefit to them, and that they would gain perhaps by some instruction. He preferred to the strennous season, and to the difficulties created by the drought. He remarked on and gave some particulars of special experiments being made by the Department in the matter of tests and yields," which \yere going to lead to a saving in; weight and ah improvement in quality, and made some suggestions for improvement in means of transit to Patea, which should be recommended to the Railway Department. He thanked members for the enthusiasm in which they received the toast and hoped to see them a<rain in Patea. Mr W. Grant also replied, saying he was sure graders were always glad to meet the managers, and believed it was good for them to come to the stores and go through and examine butter, cheese, casein s etc. Before the close of the meeting, the chairman apologised for the absence of Mir F. W. Grainger, managing director of the Refrigerating Company, who \yas always ready to help them and give facilities for the inspection of the machinery. .He was glad of the opportunity of thanking Mr Grainger and his staff for much valuable assistance.

The toast of "The Press' 1 was also cordially honoured, and acknowledged by Mr Hemingway, and a very interesting gathering then teFminatea. After luncheon the members of the Association returned to the works and took part in a grading competitij.). They were each given a sample of cheese which had been graded by the Departmental, officers and were given the opportunity of grading according to their opinion. The result was that Messrs A. F. I\eilson (Pihama) and G. Thorburn (Whenuakuvra) tied for first place, both grading it'only half a point from the official figures. Mr L. Taylor (Lowgarth) was next. The afternoon was altogether interesting, and instructive, and served to prove the value of a visit by the managers to the "grading works. Members then left by train and car to their respective destinations.