Kaitaia.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 50, 17 July 1906, Page 3

Kaitaia.

(From our Own CoiTespondent). Rain and commercial travellers—commercial travellers and rain. Judging from the quantity of both, small wonder our roads are getting muddy. The Magistrate has given the reserved judgment in the case, Kaitaia Co-Opera-tive Dairy Factory Co. v. E. M. Masters. The case was a peculiarly interesting one to co-operative dairy companies, and was brought \i]> as a test, as there were three or four other suppliers in a similar position. The facts were briefly as follows :—Masters guaranteed to supply the milk of 10 cows for three years, and applied for 20 shares—two shares for each cow guaranteed, as per the Articles of Association. This guaiautee was was fairly and honestly carried out—in fact over supplied, as Mr. Masters had 23 shares fully paid up, when he sold his cows and leased his farm to another supplier, for a term of 10 years, the tenant to supply the factory or leave the farm. The tenant supplied more milk than ever Masters did, and was prepared to continue to do so, but in his own name. The directors, however, thought it best to alter their Articles of Association, and under the new articles each and every shareholder must supply the whole milk of all cows, and have new shares allotted (not more in number than his original allotment) without application, such shares to be paid for in butter fat by deductions of £d. per lb. on butter fat. Failing supply he was to pay to the Company the difference between the price of butter fat and commercial butter, which in this case is about 2£d per lb., and this for an indefinite period—probably for ever -and recoverable by law. Masters having leased his farm, and the tenant having taken up shares of his own, the position was most awkward. The Magistrate, however, gave his decision that the new articles were faulty and illegal, therefore could not be upheld, and that the company would have to pay expenses, with the exception of 3 - which was to be borne by Masters. The case had caused much excitement and strong talk up to the time of the result, but the verdict has been most popular, by far the greater majority feeling positive the articles were injurious to the welfare of the dairying business, and that the directors had made a f .tal plunge in the dark. All’s well that ends well, and I predict a better supply of milk next season, with probably a few ucw sup] liers, who stated positively they would not join under the new articles. To show how injurious they would have been, one new supplier last season would not take up shares under the now articles he preferred to supply in an old shareholder's name rather than “ put his foot in it ” as he termed it. I should certainly say a co-operative factory wants every supplier to be a shareholder. It behoves all dairy companies to be careful how they attempt to alter their articles of Association. It has cost this company £2O and they are exactly where they commenced. However, apart from law, they have had a most successful season, and a dividend is sticking out after paying B£d. light through the season. Mr. F. A. Brent lost a valuable dairy cow during the week. It is most unfortunate for the district that a veterinary surgeon is not obtainable, as it appears to me that neaily all the animals could be saved if one only knew what to do. But up here it is : cow sick—eight or ten days, cow dead ; horse siek -next, horse dead. I believe it would pay all stockowners to tax themselves say 2d. per head per annum on all stock, and try and get a vet. stationed in a central position, say Kaitaia or Oruru. At any rate it is worth the serious consideration of the Farmers’ Union and debating societies, in fact all settlers, to interest themselves and see if some improvement cannot be made to deal with our sick stock. For years we exercised our minds to secure a medical man fortour sick. Now we have secured one for mankind; why not one for one our cattle ? The new teacher, Mr. Mackintosh, arrived last week, and commenced his duties to-day at the Kaitaia School. Mr. Wiggins has completed his new shop, having removed from the Junction to his farm. Mr. J. H. Bedggood, of wheelwright fame, has started a new blacksmith’s shop at the Junction. Messrs. E. M. and C. Masters have installed a forge in their large stable, which is a great convenience, as customers may have their horses shod while they are making their purchases. July 9, 1906.