DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 218, 13 August 1940, Page 10

DAIRY INDUSTRY.

NEWBURY DAIRY COY. ANNUAL MEETING. Mr M. G. Hansen wqs in the chair at the annual meeting of the Newbury Dairy Company, held yesterday. Apologies for absence wero . received Irom Messrs E. Collins and S. Knight. In speaking of the report and balancesheet (already published) the chairman congratulated the suppliers upon the way they had worked for the factory. “They have responded well to my appeal of last year,” continued Mr Hansen, “for firstgrade milk to help in the amount of firstgrade cheese produced. I think that this appeal was a stop in the right direction. There has also been a vast improvement in the yield.” The chairman also commented on the fine condition of the plant and buildings. In reference to the move for increased production of cheese, Mr Han6en said that it would be easier to effect a change at Newbury than at a number of other factories as tho district was made up of a number of small farms and these were all in close proximity to the factory. They hoped to fill three vats for cheese making. The motion was seconded by Mr E. W. Collins. Mr J. Linklatcr said that the year had been a very satisfactory one. The factory was in a central position and all the roads leading to it were good, so this should be a contributing factor in the drive for increased cheese production. “Those at home,” said Mr Linklatcr, “should do all in their power to help the Mother Country in its present struggle. I am of tho opinion that the people of Newbury will respond to this appeal.” He thought this year would bo an excellent one to effect a change from butter to cheese supply where that was sought. Tho report was adopted. Messrs M. G. Hansen, A. It. McCulloch, and E. Collins, the retiring directors, were re-elected. Mr 11. J. Itees was re-elected auditor with the same remuneration as last vear. The chairman was granted an honorarium of £2O and the secretary, manager and first assistant were granted a bonus.

RANGITIKEI COMPANY. o (From Our Own Correspondent.) BULLS, Aug. 12.. At the annual meeting of the Rangitikei Co-op. Dairy Company, held in Bulls on Saturday, Mr K. W. , Dalrymplo was in the chair. The chairman said that it was necessary that primary production in New Zealand should bo increased so as to replace the foodstuffs formerly drawn by Britain from now over-run by the enemy. Eggs, bacon and cheese were needed by the . Mother Country. This district was outside the cheese area. From his experience farmers were all ready to help. As dairy farmers they should produce more bacon pigs, and in every way increase production where possible. In regard to dairy herds, a certain number of farmers made a practice of drying-off their cows at a certain time. He appealed to suppliers to continue milking their cows as late as possible in the season. That would make an appreciable difference in production. Sacks were in short supply, and should be looked after. Referring to the disastrous fire which swept away the factory buildings in February last, the chairman said that' it was a bad time to build, as everything was high in cost. The company had been putting aside moneys so as to be in a position to replace the wooden factory at some future time. Not having enough funds in hand, the company would have to borrow. The directors had given full consideration to the layout of the plant and machinery with a view to economy in working costs. There was a suggestion that the factory be not rebuilt. The chairman said that he personally was proud of the district and what it could produce, and why should the cream have to be carted out of the district! The directors had decided immediately after the fire that the factory should be rebuilt as soon as possible, and the new building and plant would be ready to receive cream for but-ter-making in another week or two. He was sure that suppliers would be proud of their new factory, and there was no trouble in financing the project. When the fire which destroyed the factory took place every dairy company in the Palmerston North and Wanganui . districts at once sent representatives .offering help in manufacturing the cream into butter, and by 11 p.m. on the night of the fire arrangements had been made for the handling of the product. It was comforting to have so many offers of assistance from other companies. Fortunately the cream cans were not destroyed, and the dompany was able to go straight ahead and convey cream to the Rata and Rongolea companies for making into butter. With the longer haulage, costs had gone up, and comparisons of working costs could not be made with the previous season owing to the changed conditions of manufacture. The new factory, equipped right up to date, would cost about £17,000. The output for the past season was 881 tons, an increase oh 45 tons. 'The report and balance-sheet, which were adopted by the meeting, showed a surplus for disposal of £15,975 by way of further payment to suppliers, at the rate of 2 l-16d per pound of butterfat, and £l6O to provide a five per cent, dividend on paid-up capital. This made the average payment per pound of butterfat (all grades) 16.585 d. The retiring directors, Messrs K. W. Dalrvmplo and IV. Purcell, were returned unopposed, and returned thanks to the meeting for their re-election. Directors’ foes were fixed at the same figure as formerly. Mr A. Haworth, of Wanganui, was re-elected auditor. At a subsequent meeting of directors, Mr Dalrymplo was elected chairman of directors and Mr Purcell chairman of tfio store committee.