STARTING OF THE ONEWHERO CREAMERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9012, 18 October 1892, Page 3

STARTING OF THE ONEWHERO CREAMERY.

The opening of the Onewhero Co-operative Dairy Association's butter factory was celebrated with considerable eclat on Saturday, October 1. Invitations had been issued by the promoters to the residents in the district, as well as to others in the adjoining settlements. Unfortunately the day turned out very wet and stormy, which, however, did not prevent a large crowd from assembling to do honour to the occasion. Among the visibors present were Major Harris (Tuakau), Mr. J. Latimer (Pukehohe), Mr. Kavanagh (Mauku), and others. A long table with forms on each side was improvised in what is designed for the butterroom, and an excellent dinner spread out thereon, when three relays sab down to the repast, waited upon by a few of the lady visitors who were present. After the viands had deen discussed in the usual manner, Major Harris, who was seated at the head of the table, addressed those present. He said it had afforded him much pleasure to be present in response to their cordial invitation. Although he had always taken a deep interest in the welfare of tfhis new district, yet this was the first opportunity he had had of seeing it ; and though since crossing the Waikato River he had seen a lot of strange country, yet he had nob seen many strange faces ; in fact, he found himself still among friends and familiar faces. He had hoped thab when he first paid a visit to this place to have been accompanied by the Hon. Mr. Ballance, who was very desirous of seeing the progress they had made, for, although ab the presenb time he was lying ill at Wellington, he took a great interest in their welfare, and frequently inquired how the people were getting on " across the river." He thought the women i folk must feel nob sorry ab seeing bo many milk factories being put up in the country, taking the job oub of their hands. They must feel it most in the hob summer weather, when, after labouring hard for several hours to get the cream to churn and taking the butter to the storekeeper, to be told by him that the butter was bad and that he could not take ib on any account. Many storekeepers were ungallanb enough to tell the women this, but now all this trouble was done away with. The butter was being sent away to foreign markets, and the ready money was coming back for it. Ib would be interesting to know how butter had been first made. Perhaps ib might have been Abraham or some other of the Patriarchs who when travelling from one abitation to another while attending to his numerous herds and carrying milk in the skin bottles of those days, found that the shaking during the journey had converted the milk into butter. Since that time great improvements had been made in the process of buttermaking, and every , year saw newer and better inventions being made in this line. He wished the undertaking every success, and hoped that they would meet again in seven years' time with all their hopes realised, and with the same bright prospect before them as appeared bo them at present. He also hoped that none of the directors would be guilty of watering their milk. Mr. Wilson (manager) responded, thanking the Major for the kindly expressions to which he had given utterance, and for his presence on thab occasion, for although he differed from the Major on many points in politics, yob he had ever found him ready and willing to assist in any project by which any of these districts was to be advanced, aud hoped thab the Major would use his influence with the Government to try and obtain a grant of three or four hundred pounds for the main road. Major Harris promised that as far as a private individual could, he would use his influence for the attainment of this object. An adjournment was then made to the separator room, where the machinery was put in motion. Everybody watched intently, and the ladies especially, the process of pouring the milk into the Alexandra separator, and when a few moments afterwards cream commenced to pour out at the nozzle of one pipe, and the skim-milk ab the other, an involuntary outburst of applause arose from the eager, expectant crowd assembled. The whole arrangement was mosb perfecb and successful, everybhing passing off without a single hitch. Great praise is due to Mr. Wilson for his enterprise, energy, and determination in overcoming all obstacles, and bringing the matter to a successful issue.—[Own Correspondent.]