FUNCTION AT NGATEA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5149, 8 July 1927, Page 3

FUNCTION AT NGATEA.

FACTORY STAFF HONOURED.

“WORLD’S BEST BUTTER-MAKERS.’

People from all parts of the Hauraki Plains and many visitors from other districts assembled at Ngatea last Wedneday evening in hundreds to honour the manager and staff of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company’s Ngatea butter factory, the winners of the Weddell Cup, the trophy most coveted among butter manufacturers of the Dominion. The function on Wednesday evening was organised by the Suppliers’ Committees, and took the form of a concert followed by supper and a. dance. During the interval between the two parts tributes were paid to Mr Foster, manager of the factory, and his staff by the leading officials of the company. “They have made history,” said Mr W. E. Hale, local director, who pointed out that to win the Weddel Cup over 1500 tons of butter had been made under commercial conditions and had secured a higher average grade than most butter made especially for show competition purposes.

“Anchor butter was advertised as the world’s best,” said Mr H. H. Stirling, general manager of the N.Z. Cooperative Dairy Co., “and by winning the Weddell Cup the Ngatea factory has proved that it makes the best Anchor butter; thus Ngatea makes the world’s best butter.” Mr W.„E. Hale, local director, was the first speaker. He congratulated the, manager and staff of the factory on their good work in handling the good-quality butter-fat sent in by suppliers, and explained the conditions under which the coveted trophy had been won and pointed out that never before had a factory with anything like such a large output achieved such a wonderful record. He drew attention to the fact that op two previous occasions, Mr Foster had been iii the responsible position of butter-maker under Mr Dixon when the Paeroa. factory had won the same cup, and that the Ngatea factory last season had been second in the compe-

tition. After apologising for the abesnee of the managing director, Mr W. Goodfellow, who had suffered a bereavement in the loss of an uncle with whom he had been associated since boyhood, Mr Halo thanked those who had attended from a great distance, the artists who had contributed to the concert programme, qnd the committee who had organised the function, specially mentioning Mr JNeate. Concluding, Mr Hale expressed the hope that the function would automatically become an annual one. Mr Dynes Fulton, chairman of directors! in paying his tribute to the manager and staff, said that their achievement ; was one which the district should be very proud of. It was the result of team work, for-only by co-operation of suppliers and factory employees was it possible to accomplish what had been done. Six or. sevqn years ago, when the company h<id launched out and inaugurated

the grading of cream as a means of raising the quality of .its output, tlieye had been much opposition by some who thought th© project too drastic and others who were of the opinion that suppliers would be lost to the company. However, Mr Goodfellow had stuck out, arguing that it was the only way to get permanent results, and the directors had unanimously adopted the measure. THE DAVIES CUP. . The success of the Ngatea factory in winning the Weddell Cup could be attributed to the grading system and th© team-work of staff and suppliers, who were imbued with the idea of. improving the quality of the manufactured products In this connection it was, gratifying to find that, there were men of th© calibre of Mr R. L. Davies, of Kerepeehi, so imbued with the spirit of service that he had donated a handsome cup for competition among the various groups of suppliers. The eup was for th© group supplying the largest percentage of superfine cream during the season. The Orongo group had held the trophy for the previous two seasons, but other groups had been led to greater efforts and the Pipiroa district had won the trophy last season with 96 72 per cent, of superfine ©ream. Th© Davies Cup competition Iyad undoubtedly played no small part in the success of the factory during the past season, for the general average of superfine cream was about five points above that of the previous season. The Ngatea factory’s achievement yras the best advertisement the company ewer had, and he hoped that 1 it would be an incentive to other factories to greater efforts. Mr Fulton then presented the Davies Cup to Mr Ganley, convener of the Pipiroa suppliers’ committee, and expressed the hope that the success of his district wouldi continue. Mr C. Parfitt replied on behalf of the Pipiroa suppliers, predicting that if other districts wished to wrest the cup from the present holders they would have to send 100 (per cent, of superfine cream. Mr H. H. Stirling, general manager of the company, expressed his pleasure at being present, and said that it was like coming on an oasis in a desert to meet suppliers in such friendly intercourse after the round of annual meetings, when complaints were sought and received. He had : left % great service in the N.Z. Railways, but he was proud to belong nc >w to a greater Service in the leadiaj; dairy company of the world. It was -jvonderful that an outpost of th© .Empire like New Zealand was able tio send the best butter to the world’s markets. The achievement was one that [nade a thrill of pride. Like ot hers, be had felt some trepidation at the increasing amount of competition imong the dairy-producing count ries )f the world. The matter had gi'ven p ood for serious thought, but the C ’irjumstances of winning the Wcddieli 3up had shown that there was s no jause for alarm, because as Tong as a. ead in quality was ma.intained then' vas no need to fear any competition!, Hr Foster’s work reflected credit on'| :he company and on the whole of New|

Zealand. While not belittling the previous winners of the cup he wished to point outt hat winning it was now much more difficult and much more meritoriuos than ever. A very great tribute was due to Mr Foster and every man of the staff of. the factory from the top to the very bottom. Calling Mr Foster on to the stage, Mr Stirling expressed to him the appreciation of the suppliers for his conscientiousness and devotion to duty, congratulated him. and assured him of the co-operation of all suppliers in his future efforts. Mr Foster said tha.t the credit for the win was not due to the factory alone, for without the co-operation of the suppliers nothing could have been done. The grading average of the Pipiroa group alone showed that the suppliers were doing their utmost all the time, Urging suppliers to still greater efforts in the future, Mr Foster pointed out that when the cup was. first competed for it was for the highest average for a season cf six months, whereas now it was for the seven months from the beginning of ■October until the end of April. If the Ngatea factory could win the cup tor the next two seasons, it would be won outright. The factory would make the effort; it was up to the suppliers, to continue to assist. Mr W. Bongard, Mayor of Thames, and Mr E. L. Walton, Plains County Chairman, also added their tribute.

The concert staged during the part of the .evening was varied and entertaining.